Girls' Generation Sunny reveals sister's hearing loss during KBS2 special

Girls' Generation's Sunny shared a previously unknown family story during a recent broadcast. While listening to the story of a couple living with hearing impairments, she confessed, "Actually, my sister is also deaf in one ear." The unexpected mention of her family during the upbeat variety program naturally drew the attention of viewers.

In the Chuseok special 'The Song Delivery Is Here' aired on the 21st on KBS2, Lee Seung-chul, Tak Jae-hun, and Sunny were shown gifting songs to individuals with special stories. The guests featured in this episode were a couple in their third year of marriage living with hearing impairments. The pair spoke candidly about everything from the differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants to the process of perceiving sound after surgery and the practical challenges they face in daily life.

Sunny's expression shifted when the couple shared that they could not hear sounds naturally immediately after their cochlear implant surgery. Recalling her own family's experience, she said, "Actually, my sister is also deaf in one ear," adding, "As you mentioned, it took a long time after the surgery to actually hear things." It was a poignant moment where she revealed that a family member had undergone a similar journey, moving beyond a simple television reaction.

The couple's story was deeply personal. The husband revealed that after being diagnosed with hearing impairment in his childhood, he traveled from Geoje to Busan with his mother for treatment. The wife shared that she was also diagnosed after not speaking until she was two years old. They explained that even after receiving cochlear implants, sounds initially sounded like mechanical noise, and it took significant time to adapt to distinguishing individual sounds.

The couple also highlighted the practical dangers of their condition. Because they must remove their cochlear implant devices when showering or sleeping, they risk missing critical external sounds. They shared a harrowing experience where an apartment fire alarm went off while they were asleep, but they failed to hear it because their devices had been removed. The moment underscored that hearing impairment is not just about "not hearing," but can directly impact safety and daily survival.

This story resonated deeply with Sunny. It is rare for her, known for her bright and cheerful persona as a member of Girls' Generation, to discuss her family history so specifically. As the youngest child with a significant age gap from her two older sisters, her candid confession drew significant attention, as personal family matters are seldom disclosed in the entertainment industry.

The significance of her remark lies in its spontaneity; Sunny did not use her family history to seek attention, but rather shared it naturally while empathizing with others. This is why such private confessions become meaningful. Beyond the glamorous image of "Girls' Generation Sunny" on stage, she revealed herself as a person who carries her family's experiences and deeply empathizes with the struggles of others.