Kim Tae-won offers heartfelt support to cancer survivor Shim Woo-ri

Singer Kim Tae-won delivered a profound message of hope, offering sincere comfort to a participant battling stage 4 colon cancer by drawing on his own harrowing experiences with illness. Having overcome numerous crises, including stomach cancer surgery, sepsis, and repeated health deterioration, Kim's authentic advice moved viewers, transcending simple judging comments to highlight the healing power of music and life.

During the broadcast of the TV CHOSUN variety program 'Lovers of Joseon' on the 6th, a special project titled 'Lovers of Chosun Singing Contest' was aired to celebrate the program's 5th anniversary. Kim appeared as a judge, evaluating the participants' performances while adding emotional depth to the show with heartfelt advice rooted in his own life journey.

The broadcast drew significant attention when comedian Jung Yi-rang and her longtime friend Shim Woo-ri took the stage to share their special story. MC Kim Gook-jin introduced them, noting, "I heard Jung Yi-rang would be on stage with someone who has a special story," while Jung introduced Shim as her "hidden card" and a friend she has been close to since high school.

Stepping onto the stage, Shim Woo-ri expressed her deep gratitude, stating, "Yi-rang is the friend who saved my life." Jung Yi-rang calmly shared the history of their bond, adding, "People might laugh, but she really is that kind of friend."

Jung explained that Shim had dreamed of becoming a singer since childhood. After graduating with a degree in practical music, Shim had to temporarily set aside her musical ambitions due to marriage and financial realities. "Just as she finally found some breathing room and was preparing to return to the stage through a workplace band, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer," Jung revealed, drawing sympathy from the audience.

Following the sudden diagnosis, Shim underwent a grueling battle for her health. She confessed, "After being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in August 2023, I underwent three open surgeries and 12 rounds of chemotherapy over the past two years." With tears in her eyes, she added, "Jung Yi-rang never left my side for a single moment. I believe I was able to hold on because she prayed with me and supported me for those entire two years."

"Thanks to her, I feel like I am alive. It was truly moving, and I am so grateful I can never forget it," Shim said, as Jung Yi-rang also broke into tears while looking at her friend. The two completed their performance with raw sincerity, sharing emotional tears once the stage ended.

Watching their story, judge Kim Tae-won brought a solemn atmosphere to the set with comments that reflected his own life. "Perhaps music has a superpower that saves people," he told Shim. "I believe that if you never lose your love for music, even these painful memories will eventually drift away."\

He continued with a candid confession: "I have lived a similar life. In every difficult moment, it was music that ultimately pulled me back up. I endured by always thinking of music, and it became the strength that allowed me to continue living." His words, infused with his own history of survival, resonated deeply with both the cast and the viewers.

Kim's remarks carried immense weight because he has personally crossed the line between life and death multiple times. In 2011, during a health checkup for the KBS 2TV variety show 'Qualifications of a Man,' he was diagnosed with early-stage stomach cancer and underwent surgery, beginning a long struggle with his health.

His battle intensified when sepsis developed in 2016 and recurred in 2019, creating a life-threatening crisis that required extensive treatment and recovery. During an appearance on tvN's 'Free Doctor' in 2023, he candidly shared the extent of his losses: "I have actually lost my sense of smell, my sense of taste has decreased by 40%, my hearing and vision have each decreased by about half, and my memory has also decreased by about 30%."

Furthermore, on last year's MBC variety show 'Radio Star,' he revealed the severity of his recent struggles, stating, "In the last three years, I have suffered four shocks where I lost consciousness and was hospitalized." He also shared that he has maintained sobriety for six years to aid his recovery and is currently balancing musical and broadcasting activities as his health stabilizes.

The story of Kim Tae-won, who endured his deepest despairs through music, and Shim Woo-ri, who dreams of the stage despite her illness, served as a powerful reminder that music can be more than art—it can be a vital lifeline for the human spirit.