Choi Ye-na tearfully reveals childhood battle with pediatric cancer

Singer Choi Ye-na moved viewers to tears as she shared the painful memory of her childhood battle with pediatric cancer for the first time.

A former member of the project group Iz*One, Choi burst into tears while watching the participants' stories of illness on the SBS dating reality program 'Love Against Time,' which premiered on the 3rd.

'Love Against Time' follows young people who have faced terminal diagnoses or life-and-death situations as they attempt to rediscover love and life.

On the premiere, Choi appeared as an MC alongside actress Lee Se-young, CNBLUE's Jung Yong-hwa, and Seventeen's DK, showing profound empathy for the participants' stories.

While she initially shared laughs during the excitement of the first meetings, the atmosphere shifted instantly when the participants' heartbreaking stories were revealed.

Watching the participants share their experiences with illness, Choi recalled her own childhood and spoke up cautiously.

"I was also a pediatric lymphoma patient when I was young," she confessed, adding, "That's why I empathize so much with the participants' stories; my heart feels strange."\

Unable to hold back her emotions, Choi shed tears while recounting her memories.

"Seeing my parents and family break down and struggle when I was sick, in my young mind, it all felt like my fault," she said, adding, "That's why I understand the participants' feelings so much," leaving the studio in solemn silence.

Her calm storytelling eventually gave way to weeping, and her sincere confession resonated deeply with the fellow MCs and viewers alike.

While Choi has long been loved for her bright and energetic image, this broadcast revealed a more vulnerable side as she honestly discussed her brush with death and the guilt she felt toward her family.

Following the broadcast, viewers offered overwhelming support, commenting, "I didn't know there was such pain behind that smiling face," "I cried along with her as she thought of her parents," "It was such a sincere confession," and "Choi Ye-na looks like an even stronger person now."\

Choi is scheduled to conclude her Asia tour by holding her encore solo concert, 'Starting from a Square, A Haunted Other World: The Movie,' on the 22nd and 23rd.