Ahn Chi-hwan recalls past stage 3 rectal cancer battle: “I am in the best physical condition of my life”

Singer Ahn Chi-hwan confesses to a past of painful fighting a disease, where he was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer and lost more than 15kg in weight. For him, who has kept his musical convictions for nearly 40 years by singing about social realities, the battle with cancer was a turning point that went beyond physical pain to change his perspective on life. Having regained his health after passing through difficult times, Ahn shares his changed current status, saying, "I am in the best physical condition of my entire life."

In the 47th episode of MBN's 'Kim Joo-ha's Day and Night' to be broadcast on the 17th, Ahn Chi-hwan, marking his 40th anniversary since debut, will appear. On this day, he will candidly reveal everything from the moment he was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer about 10 years ago to the pain experienced during the treatment process and his changed attitude toward life after the illness. Although he has been singing for the era with a steadfast voice on stage for a long time, he had to endure more difficult times than anyone else in the face of illness.

Ahn Chi-hwan recalls that he unexpectedly received a diagnosis of stage 3 rectal cancer around the time he was thinking he should take proper care of his health. The sudden cancer shook his daily life and placed a heavy burden on his body and mind, to the point where his weight decreased by more than 15kg during the treatment process. For him, who has lived centered around music and performances for a long time, the fight against the disease was an experience that made him look back at his own body and life. While deeply realizing the preciousness of health, he also came to newly realize the meaning of the daily life he had previously taken for granted.

The changes left by the illness did not stop at physical recovery. Ahn Chi-hwan confesses that he is greatly different before and after the illness. He explains that in the past, he had a side that treated people around him strictly and sharply, but through experiencing pain, his attitude toward others and his perspective on looking at the world changed. He stated, "I thought I should become a bit more generous. I thought I should become more open-minded." It means that while passing through pain, he came to understand the circumstances and lives of others with a wider view than before.

Regarding his current health status, he delivered even brighter news. Ahn Chi-hwan announced his current status of having regained his health, saying, "I am in the best physical condition of my entire life." He continued to express gratitude toward the fans and people around him who have supported him, saying, "Living healthily is a courtesy to the people who cheered for me." For him, who has passed through times so difficult they remind him of the boundary between life and death, health has become a precious foundation to continue his life and connect with the people who cheered for him, beyond just a physical state.

In this broadcast, controversies surrounding Ahn Chi-hwan's musical life will also be covered. He has built his musical world with songs that contain social realities and the concerns of the era, such as 'Workers of Steel' and 'Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Evergreen Pine Tree'. At the same time, he gained public popularity with songs that contain a warm gaze toward love and humanity, such as 'If I Were' and 'People Are More Beautiful Than Flowers'. However, in the process of his musical color expanding, he received criticism from some that he had changed from the past, and even had to endure sharp evaluations such as being a 'turncoat'.

Regarding such criticism, Ahn Chi-hwan counters, "'If I Were' and 'People Are More Beautiful Than Flowers' are very beautiful and good songs. Why is it wrong to sing such songs?" He believes that songs containing social messages do not represent his entire musical identity, and that love and human emotions are also worthy of being expressed through song. To him, music is not something that must be trapped in a specific theme, but an art that captures the changes of the era and people.

He also expressed his conviction that he must expand the breadth of his music to match the changing times, saying, "The world changes, so the songs cannot have the same content." He further emphasized, "The era has changed. I must always contemplate what kind of songs to sing in a changing world." This is read as an intention to face the era in which he lives and contemplate new songs, rather than denying his past musical convictions. Even now, marking his 40th anniversary since debut, Ahn Chi-hwan is constantly questioning what he should sing as a musician rather than settling for his past fame.

Ahn Chi-hwan, whose attitude toward life has changed through the battle with rectal cancer, is now moving toward the stage again. To celebrate his 40th anniversary since debut and the release of his 15th regular album, he is scheduled to hold a concert in Seoul on November 7. Attention is focused on what kind of voice he will meet the audience with, having passed through both the pain of illness and musical controversy.

Read the original (Korean)