Actress Jeon Won-ju opens up about mild cognitive impairment struggles

During a broadcast of MBN's "Unforgettable Duet 2" on the 31st of last month, actress Jeon Won-ju revealed she has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, noting she sometimes repeats questions up to 20 times.

Actress Jeon Won-ju has candidly shared her fading memories following a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. She revealed that she sometimes fails to recognize her friend of 55 years, Kim Hyeong-ja, repeats the same question up to 20 times, and has even forgotten the existence of a photo just 10 minutes after seeing it. Her confession, coming from a performer who has long provided laughter to the public, has prompted reflections on memory and life in old age.

During the first broadcast of MBN's "Unforgettable Duet 2" on the 31st of last month, Jeon appeared for a special stage with actress Kim Hyeong-ja. With singer James Moosong Lee participating as a "memory singer," the meeting of the three, connected by long-standing relationships, became a time to revisit the meaning of memories and connections.

Kim Hyeong-ja could not hide her shock while sharing a recent anecdote about meeting Jeon. "On that day, she didn't recognize me," Kim said, adding, "She asked me twenty times why there were so many people here." She confessed, "I thought she would be healthy for her whole life, so I wondered what I should do." The situation, where a friend known for a lifetime treated her as a stranger, was a significant shock to Kim.

Jeon Won-ju also calmly acknowledged her condition. "I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. These days, I cannot recognize people quickly," she confessed. "Even if I met someone recently, I can't remember. My thoughts keep becoming faint." Her explanation that familiar faces, names, and shared moments no longer come to mind as clearly as before illustrates the changes she is experiencing in her daily life.

Gaps in memory also appeared during the process of revisiting old memories. While Jeon was happy to see a photo of the mother of James Moosong Lee, with whom she has shared a 70-year connection, she asked where the photo had gone only 10 minutes later. James Moosong Lee said, "It was embarrassing and upsetting when she stopped at parts I thought she would naturally remember. I didn't know it would be this much." The fact that even long-accumulated connections and memories can suddenly become unfamiliar as they fade left the cast feeling heavy-hearted.

For Jeon Won-ju, the greatest fear was not the change in memory itself, but the anxiety that she might forget her loved ones. "After the diagnosis, I was very scared that I might forget precious people," she confessed. However, she explained her decision to appear on the program by stating, "Rather than just being afraid, I thought I should leave memories with my precious people." It was a determination to actively hold onto the remaining connections and moments rather than turning away from the reality of her fading memory.

She did not lose her characteristic bright personality. "I have to think a lot more often. Don't worry about me, Jeon Won-ju. I will continue to be active healthily for a long time," she said with a laugh. Her attempt to reassure those around her while disclosing her condition demonstrated the positive attitude she has maintained throughout her long career in broadcasting and acting.

This is not the first time Jeon Won-ju's diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment has been made public. In 2013, on KBS2's "Leisurely and Content," she underwent a dementia test after noting she had difficulty recognizing faces; at that time, while her brain was healthy for her age, she received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. In April, on TV CHOSUN's "Perfect Life," she mentioned the same diagnosis, stating she had developed a habit of taking notes because she could recognize faces but could not recall names.

Born in 1939, Jeon Won-ju debuted in 1963 as a first-generation open recruitment voice actress for Dong-A Broadcasting before working as an actress for many years alongside the public. Having been loved for her humorous acting and friendly image, she has now directly conveyed the anxiety of memory and the preciousness of family and friends. Her confession, revealed through her time with Kim Hyeong-ja and the memories in the photo of her 70-year connection, prompts a reconsideration of what memory is and how precious it is to remember one another.

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