Tablo recounts near-death medical emergency in London

Epik High's Tablo has sparked concern among fans after revealing a harrowing medical emergency he experienced in London. Moving beyond a simple travel mishap, the artist vividly described the terror of facing a sudden illness abroad and the limitations of the local medical system.

In a video titled "The Story of How I Almost Died While Going to Meet Spider-Man in London..." uploaded to his YouTube channel on the 28th, Tablo detailed his struggle with kidney stones during his stay in the city.

Opening the video, he recalled the desperate situation, saying, "Something truly unbelievable happened. I almost died in London."

The ordeal began during his flight to London. Despite the severe pain, Tablo endured the discomfort due to his travel schedule, but his symptoms eventually worsened to an unbearable level.

He eventually sought out a local emergency facility, made a reservation, and traveled approximately 40 minutes by taxi. Tablo explained that he chose the facility based on its reputation, stating, "They said it was the best place for the symptoms I was experiencing, and the reviews said I could go without a reservation. So, I even made a reservation."

However, upon arriving at the reception desk, an unexpected situation unfolded.

"When it was my turn to check in, the doctor said they couldn't provide treatment right now," Tablo revealed. "It meant no one could provide treatment. I said I had made a reservation and that I was dying, pleading for them to please ask just once, but they said the attending physician had just left."

Being unable to receive help while in extreme pain was pure terror for him.

Ultimately, Tablo had to search for another emergency clinic. Describing the intensity of the pain, he said, "It was only a 10-minute walk, but to me, it felt like 40 days spent in a desert. It was the threshold of death."

While he was fortunately able to receive treatment at a second hospital, the process remained difficult. After a long wait, the initial medical staff were not urology specialists, and further confusion arose once he finally met with a urologist.

Tablo also highlighted the inconveniences of the overseas medical environment, noting, "They said they would send the prescription via email. Finding that strange, I asked for a paper copy, but they said it is handled digitally."

The experience became even more bewildering when billing issues arose just before he could collect his medication. "I moved quickly because the pharmacy was about to close, but instead of a prescription, I received a link to pay the medical fees," he said. "I had already paid at the hospital, but additional costs were charged."

He further explained, "The fee for the urologist's consultation and the cost for the tests were charged separately. In the end, I had to pay to receive the prescription."

The frustration continued when he reached the pharmacy with the hard-won prescription, only to be told that the pharmacy only accepted paper copies.

"At that point, I wondered if the place I went to was even a real hospital," Tablo said, expressing his disbelief at the situation.

Tablo's account is drawing significant attention as it highlights the medical anxiety and cultural/linguistic barriers that can affect anyone when traveling far from home.

Fans expressed deep concern for the artist, who is typically known for his calm and humorous persona. Comments included, "I can't imagine how scary it must have been," "Health is the most important thing," and "You really have to be careful abroad."

Tablo debuted in 2003 with the group Epik High and is credited with helping popularize Korean hip-hop through his unique musicality and profound lyrics. He remains a prominent figure across music, broadcasting, and writing.