Housewife with stage 4 stomach cancer performs on National Singing Contest

A housewife in her 30s performed on the Changwon episode of KBS 1TV's 'National Singing Contest' on the 25th after undergoing surgery for metastatic areas and 27 rounds of chemotherapy. The broadcast also featured a man born in 1962 who expressed gratitude to his mother after having been declared in a vegetative state during his 20s.

The courage of a housewife in her 30s, who took to the stage despite the difficult reality of battling stage 4 stomach cancer, moved the hearts of viewers. Having endured 27 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery for metastatic areas, she demonstrated her will to live by performing with a bright and confident demeanor. The Changwon episode of 'National Singing Contest' was filled with moments of both laughter and emotion, featuring the story of a man who had previously been declared in a vegetative state and his heartfelt thanks to his family.

In the Changwon episode of KBS 1TV's 'National Singing Contest' aired on the afternoon of the 25th, participants carrying different life stories took the stage to convey their personal journeys through song and dance. From participants who energized the audience with lively performances to those who returned to singing after overcoming life's crises, various lives unfolded vividly on stage.

One participant immediately lifted the atmosphere with skillful dancing. When host Nam Hee-suk asked if she was married, she gave a witty response, "I came because I don't have one," drawing laughter. Her pleasant wit and lively movements filled the venue with energy.

The bold challenge of a participant in her 60s also drew attention. She stated, "I came because I want to be a source of strength for exhausted people in their 60s," shouting, "South Korea's 60s, fighting!" to send a message of support to her peers. As she sang PSY's 'Bell-Bottoms' with youthful energy, Nam Hee-suk marveled, saying, "You look so young," and requested another song to add to the excitement.

A stage prepared by a middle school physical education teacher and his students showed the strong bond between teacher and pupils. As the teacher sang and the students danced enthusiastically, Nam Hee-suk asked the teacher what subject he taught. Upon hearing he was a physical education teacher, one female student expressed her affection, saying, "Our teacher is broad-minded, wonderful, and reliable." The teacher boasted of his students' dancing skills, saying, "Our students can express themselves physically to any song," creating a heartwarming atmosphere.

A particularly heart-wrenching story in this broadcast came from a male participant born in 1962. He revealed that he had been declared in a vegetative state during his 20s, saying, "I am living again because my mother nursed me with all her heart." Having recovered his health after a time when continuing life could have been difficult, he sang 'Father's River' with sincerity, his song imbued with feelings for the mother who protected him and the years that have passed.

After finishing his song, he also expressed gratitude to his wife. He created a touching moment by saying, "After getting married and living together, I want to tell my wife thank you," and "I love you." Following a request to also convey his thanks to his mother, he performed a deep bow on stage. He expressed deep gratitude to the mother who cared for him, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life and for being by my side until now." It was a moment that went beyond a singing competition to convey feelings he had not been able to fully express to his family.

The story of the housewife in her 30s, who found the courage to stand on stage while battling stage 4 stomach cancer, left another lasting impression. She revealed, "I am battling stage 4 stomach cancer," adding, "I stood on this stage after receiving 27 rounds of chemotherapy and undergoing surgery for metastatic areas." She further shared that she is "enduring through combat power and mental strength," conveying the difficulty of her treatment process.

After calmly revealing her struggle with illness, she performed Chae Yeon's 'The Two of Us' with a bright and confident stage. As she showed her energy through song rather than collapsing under her difficult reality, applause followed from the audience. Considering the physical and mental burden she must have faced to reach the stage, her challenge carried a meaning beyond a simple singing contest.

Nam Hee-suk offered warm encouragement to the participant, saying, "Medical development is great these days, and I hope you undergo treatment and overcome this." The participant conveyed her feelings to her husband, who has supported her, saying, "I am so thankful to my husband who has always been my support whenever I waver, and let's live a long, long life together." Her words contained gratitude toward the person who protected her amidst the pain of illness and her wish to live life together with him.

Celebratory performances were also diverse. Park Sang-cheol delivered his characteristic powerful energy with 'A Good Start Is Half the Battle,' while Ryu Won-jeong provided soulful emotions with 'Crazy Love.' Kim Sung-hwan showed off his seasoned wit and lively stage manners through 'Medicine Peddler,' and Jeon Yoo Jin raised the heat of the performance by performing 'Adios' with a captivating tone and explosive vocal ability.

This Changwon episode of 'National Singing Contest' reflected not only the singing skills of the participants but also the laughter, wounds, gratitude, and hope embedded in their respective lives. In particular, the stories of participants who overcame serious illnesses and major past accidents showed that a single song can be an opportunity for someone to look back on the time they have lived and convey their hearts to precious people.

Read the original (Korean)