ITZY's Chaeryeong's emotional fan-meeting hug for mother battling cancer

A scene where ITZY's Chaeryeong tightly embraced a woman and burst into tears during a fan-meeting is receiving renewed attention. While it initially appeared to be a simple moment of emotion, the fact that the woman was Chaeryeong's mother, who recently revealed her battle with cancer, is leaving fans deeply moved.

Choi Seon-yeong, the mother of Chaeryeong and Lee Chaeyeon, personally announced her cancer diagnosis through her SNS on the 15th.

Sharing her recent status, Choi said, “Since I was told I must eat well, I think I ate every kind of meat for a week,” adding, “I am now a cancer patient recognized by the state.” She further expressed her feelings regarding upcoming treatment, stating, “I am going to the hospital next week, and I wonder what kind of treatment I will receive.”

At the same time, she showed her determination to stay strong despite the difficult situation, writing, “I will make sure to manage my physical strength, laugh more, and live with a positive mind to gain weight.” She concluded with, “I am grateful every day.”

In fact, this is not the first time Choi's battle with illness has been disclosed.

On the 14th of last month, she had shared her situation ahead of surgery on SNS, writing, “I am offering prayers that I do not usually make. Please soothe my trembling and fearful heart.”

On the 26th of the same month, she shared the news that she had completed her surgery, saying, “I have been discharged and am recovering well.” At the time, she expressed her gratitude to her family, saying, “I am thankful to my daughters and husband who stayed by my side every day, and to my acquaintances who prayed for my recovery.”

Her daughter, Lee Chaeyeon, also previously shared footage of her nursing her mother through her YouTube channel. While Choi announced her cancer diagnosis after the surgery, she has not disclosed the specific type of cancer, the stage, or the future treatment methods.

As these facts have come to light, the scene from Chaeryeong's recent fan-meeting is being discussed once again.

At the time, upon spotting her mother sitting in the audience, Chaeryeong immediately approached her. Holding her mother's hand, she was unable to control her emotions for a while and shed tears, before tightly embracing her mother in her arms.

Her mother also turned red-eyed while embracing her daughter.

At the time, the exact reason for Chaeryeong's tears was not known. However, with the subsequent revelation that her mother is battling cancer, that day's hug is being perceived by fans in a completely different light.

It was a moment where Chaeryeong, who always meets fans with a bright appearance on stage, could not ultimately hide her emotions in front of her family.

Support from fans continues to pour in. Messages such as “I hope you regain your health,” “I will sincerely cheer for you and pray,” and “I hope for a speedy recovery” are appearing on Choi's SNS, gathering voices of support for the family.

In particular, as it is known that not only Chaeryeong but also her older sister Lee Chaeyeon is staying by her mother's side to help with her care, support for the two sisters is also growing.

The sisters Lee Chaeyeon and Chaeryeong first became known to the public through SBS 'K-pop Star 3'. Since then, Lee Chaeyeon has established herself as a solo singer following her activities with IZ*ONE, and Chaeryeong debuted as a member of ITZY in 2019 and continues her career.

The two sisters have endured their family's illness together behind the glamorous stage. The tears Chaeryeong shed while hugging her mother at the fan-meeting are now being reinterpreted not as mere tears of emotion, but as the heart of a daughter enduring the pain of her closest loved one.