Lee Sang Soon to take radio hiatus due to health issues

Singer and guitarist Lee Sang Soon is temporarily stepping away from the microphone. Having consistently hosted MBC FM4U's 'A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon,' he recently received medical advice to prioritize rest following a sudden decline in his physical condition.

Lee shared his health status via SNS on the 6th, stating, “Last Wednesday, my condition suddenly worsened, making it difficult to host the radio show. I have since undergone various tests and consultations,” adding, “I am currently waiting for more detailed examinations.”

He explained that he is resting due to neurological symptoms described as 'vagus nerve dysfunction.'

His agency, Antenna, also officially announced, “He recently received hospital treatment due to a sudden decline in condition,” confirming that he is taking a temporary break from hosting following medical advice. Lee expressed his intention to return in good health after sufficient recovery.

Lee's absence was sudden. After finding it difficult to host normally on the 26th of last month, he has not appeared on live broadcasts since the 27th. Other hosts have taken over the microphone for all segments except for pre-recorded broadcasts. MBC has decided to operate the program with a special DJ system for the time being to prioritize Lee's recovery.

His dedication to the show has been well-known. Last December, Lee joked on 'A Perfect Day' that he wouldn't take vacations except for 'Family Day,' saying, “The production team finds it very uncomfortable because I don't take vacations.” He noted that he felt he couldn't be absent even for a single day because so many listeners were waiting for his voice.

In fact, he previously revealed that he continued live broadcasts through Christmas Eve, Christmas, the end of the year, and the New Year. When appearing on Jung Jae-hyung's YouTube channel earlier this year, he expressed his deep affection for radio, noting how much he enjoys communicating with listeners.

This diligence is closely tied to his journey as a DJ. He stated, “I have always wanted to be a radio DJ,” when he began his first broadcast of 'A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon' in November 2024. A dream he once thought was realistically difficult while living in Jeju Island was realized following his move to Seoul.

The program features music and daily stories every day from 4 PM to 6 PM. Having debuted in 1998 with the fusion jazz group Wave, Lee has worked as a guitarist and musician in groups such as Rollercoaster and Veranda Project, and has expanded his radio presence by serving as a special DJ for 'Bae Cheol-soo's Music Camp' several times.

His DJ activities have been particularly meaningful as they allowed him to step away from the public image of being 'Lee Hyo-ri's husband' and instead highlight his own musical taste. Having shown a natural and easygoing character through 'Hyori's Bed and Breakfast' and 'Hangout with Yoo,' he has built a personal connection with listeners through song selection and conversation.

His success as a DJ followed quickly. At the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' held last year, Lee received the Excellence Award in the radio category for 'A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon.' At the time, he expressed that being a DJ was an honor in itself and that he would accept the award as motivation to work even harder.

Therefore, this hiatus carries significant weight. A DJ who has consistently maintained a specific time slot and shared his daily life with listeners is now forced to stop due to health concerns. This absence is felt even more deeply given his past remarks about prioritizing broadcasts over vacations.

However, 'vagus nerve dysfunction' should not be immediately equated with a specific disease or 'vasovagal syncope.' The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve, which is related to autonomic nervous system functions across various organs. Lee has simply stated that he received medical advice to rest due to a decline in this function. As he is currently awaiting additional detailed examinations, it is too early to conclude the specifics of his condition or his exact return date.

Lee also noted, “I don't know when I will recover,” explaining the delay in his official statement. He promised to use this time to thoroughly check his health and ensure a full recovery before returning.

'A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon' will continue with a special DJ system for the time being. While this break is unusual for both Lee and his dedicated listeners, there is a consensus that recovery must come before broadcasting.