Fans worry for veteran actress Jeon Won-joo as dementia symptoms surface

Fans are expressing growing concern for veteran actress Jeon Won-joo as her recent condition has been brought to light. After she was seen struggling to find belongings and becoming disoriented about her location in a recent video, interest in cognitive decline—a major health issue for the elderly in an aging society—has resurfaced.

On the 23rd, the YouTube channel 'Sunwoo Yong-nyeo' released a video titled "82-year-old Sunwoo Yong-nyeo and 87-year-old Jeon Won-joo visiting the 2,000-pyeong house in Jeju built during Yeo Un-gye's lifetime." The footage captures Sunwoo and Jeon traveling through Jeju Island and sharing their long-standing friendship.

During breakfast at a hotel that day, Jeon suddenly asked, "Where did I put my ring?" before getting up to search for her belongings.

Upon returning to the room to check, it was discovered that the ring, along with an expensive watch, had been wrapped in a tissue inside her bag. Seeing this, Sunwoo reacted with concern, telling her, "Don't leave things in places like that quite often."

The issues continued during transit. While in a vehicle, Jeon appeared confused about her current location.

"I thought this was Seoul," she said, adding, "I thought we had arrived at our house." In response, Sunwoo expressed worried concern through humor, asking, "What if you ask if this is Jeju Island when we have been playing in Jeju since yesterday?"

When Sunwoo followed up by asking, "What neighborhood is this?", Jeon replied, "It's still Chungcheong-do," providing an answer that did not match their actual location.

Following the video's release, netizens expressed deep concern regarding Jeon's health. Comments included, "I hope she gets a checkup," "Health is the most important thing," and "I am even more worried because she has been active for such a long time."

Jeon has previously been open about her health struggles.

Appearing on TV CHOSUN's 'Perfect Life' last April, she revealed, "I was diagnosed with early-stage dementia a year ago." At the time, she confessed, "The symptoms of frequently forgetting things have increased lately. I am worried about myself, but I am even more worried about becoming a burden to my children and those around me."

Experts explain that while memory decline in old age does not always indicate dementia, it is vital to identify the cause through accurate medical examinations if repetitive forgetfulness, loss of direction in familiar spaces, or changes affecting daily life persist.

In particular, early detection and consistent management of cognitive diseases like dementia are crucial for maintaining quality of life. Rather than dismissing these symptoms as "natural changes that occur with age," the patterns and frequency of memory changes must be carefully monitored.

Jeon, who has been a pillar of Korean popular culture since the 1960s, performing on stages and television screens, is an actress beloved for her friendly image and exceptional acting skills.

As a veteran actress who has delivered laughter and emotion to the public for decades, fans continue to send messages of support, hoping she will remain healthy and continue her career.