Ji Ye-eun, "Hurrying to Marry Because I Didn't Know When I Might Die After Battling Thyroid Cancer"

Actress Ji Ye-eun, who is set to marry choreographer Vata this coming December, has opened up about the heartbreaking reason she decided to marry earlier than others. She explained that her perspective on life changed after battling thyroid cancer, a time when she once thought she had to live only for work. Her confession that she even thought, "I don't know when I might die," provided a touching moment that contrasted with the laughter-filled atmosphere of the variety show.

In the SBS variety program 'Whatever You Wish - Secretary Jin' broadcast on the 16th, Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu were shown heading to Chungju as one-day managers for the 'Chungju Ji Clan' Ji Suk-jin and Ji Ye-eun. The two moved to fulfill schedules for a fan signing event and a music festival, while the song 'Milkshake' by the Chungju Ji Clan played in the car. During this, Ji Suk-jin mentioned their past connection, noting that the choreography for the song was personally created by Ji Ye-eun's fiancé, Vata. He also drew laughter by revealing an anecdote from when they were in a "some" relationship, where he unintentionally interfered between the two.

When the topic of marriage arose, Ji Ye-eun reacted by saying it still doesn't feel real. When Ji Suk-jin mentioned the upcoming December wedding, saying, "There isn't much time left now," Ji Ye-eun replied, "But I still can't believe it." Hearing this, Lee Seo-jin expressed curiosity about the reason for the rush, asking, "Why are you doing it so fast? Do it slowly." Ji Ye-eun confidently countered, "Nowadays, the trend is to marry early again. Isn't it good to wear a wedding dress while you're young?"

However, Lee Seo-jin's joke crossed the line. He said, "Isn't it more like wearing it and taking it off?" and Ji Ye-eun got indignant, saying, "What is that? An older man saying such things to someone who is about to get married?" As Lee Seo-jin asked Ji Ye-eun, who likes weddings at the end of the year, "Isn't it cold?", she shot back, "I am young," continuing the bickering between the two. Ji Ye-eun eventually delivered a stinging remark, "I think you've truly never been in love," which turned the scene into a sea of laughter.

Kim Kwang-kyu, who joined the group later, failed to help the situation and instead made the mistake of calling Vata's name 'Taco.' He poured out realistic advice, saying, "It's just the beginning, what are you doing marrying already? Life is long," and "If you are the same age, you will fight a lot." Faced with the continuous worries and nagging from those around her, Ji Ye-eun expressed her frustration in an interview with the production team, saying, "What do you know? You haven't even lived it." She added, "From what I can see, you can never get married. Especially you, Lee Seo-jin senior," bringing laughter once again.

However, the reason Ji Ye-eun is hurrying to marry is not simply because she wants to wear a wedding dress while she is young. She confessed the turning point in her outlook on life, saying, "Work makes me happy, but I also thought work isn't everything." She explained that because she had a long period of being unemployed in the past, she thought, 'I should live only for work,' but her thoughts changed after going through a period of illness. Ji Ye-eun revealed, "When I was sick, I had thoughts like, 'I don't know when I might die.'" Having faced a health crisis, she came to realize the preciousness of a life spent with a loved one rather than taking the future for granted.

Ji Ye-eun briefly suspended her activities last September due to health issues but returned to SBS 'Running Man' after about three weeks. Later, in the Netflix variety show 'Yoo Jae-suk Camp' released this past May, she also revealed that she had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer. At the time, she said, "They said even 0.1cm can lead to metastasis. They told me I had quite a lot of cancer. That's why I am even more grateful." Her confession about her experience battling the illness made people rethink how precious it is to regain health and continue daily life.

Ji Ye-eun, who is still undergoing regular checkups, replied to questions about her health on the show by saying, "I am continuing to get checkups." Lee Seo-jin comforted her, noting that people who experience major illnesses at a young age become more attentive to managing their health afterward. Although jokes and nagging regarding the marriage were exchanged, sincere encouragement followed in the face of Ji Ye-eun's honest confession.

Ji Ye-eun and Vata, who are the same age born in 1994, officially acknowledged their relationship this past April and are scheduled to hold their wedding on December 12. Ji Ye-eun, who has newly realized the values of health and love in a life that once only looked toward work and success, makes her marriage feel not just like a quick choice, but a decision made after contemplating what is important to her after passing through a life crisis.

Read the original (Korean)