Lee Sang-soon takes radio hiatus due to vagal nerve issues

Singer and guitarist Lee Sang-soon has revealed the reason behind his sudden hiatus from radio hosting due to a decline in his physical condition. He explained that after medical examinations and consultations, he received a diagnosis from medical staff requiring rest due to neurological symptoms related to 'vagal nerve dysfunction.' As he is still awaiting additional detailed examinations, a specific timeline for his recovery has not yet been determined.

On the 6th, Lee disclosed his health status through his SNS, stating, "I am sorry to the listeners for taking a break from radio hosting without any explanation." He revealed that after his condition suddenly worsened on the 26th of last month, making it difficult to host broadcasts, he underwent several tests and decided to take sufficient rest for the time being following medical advice.

Lee explained, "I am also in a situation where I don't know when I will recover. I kept thinking I should host again tomorrow if I feel okay, which is why this post is late." He added that according to medical opinions, he can gradually recover if he takes sufficient rest, saying, "I will take this opportunity to have enough time and return after recovering my health more thoroughly."

His MBC FM4U program, 'A Perfect Day, I am Lee Sang-soon,' is currently operating under a special DJ system. Since the 27th of last month, he has not appeared in live broadcasts, except for pre-recorded segments. His agency, Antenna, stated that Lee recently received hospital treatment due to a sudden decline in condition and will adjust future schedules flexibly depending on his recovery status.

In particular, it is known that Lee already felt something was wrong with his physical condition during a broadcast on the 26th of last month. Appearing late for the live broadcast at that time, he explained that he had rested in the infirmary because he was not feeling well. As the broadcast hiatus continued, concerns about his health grew among listeners, and now the specific reason has been revealed.

-What does the vagal nerve do?

The vagal nerve mentioned by Lee is one of the cranial nerves distributed to various organs, including the heart and digestive organs, and is involved in regulating the functions of the autonomic nervous system. Because it is connected to various physiological functions of the body such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration, if a dysfunction occurs, symptoms may not appear in only one form.

However, 'vagal nerve dysfunction' and 'vasovagal syncope' should not be assumed to be the same condition. Vasovagal syncope refers to a phenomenon where blood pressure and heart rate suddenly drop due to various situations such as tension, pain, or standing for a long time, causing a temporary loss of consciousness. In some cases, warning symptoms such as dizziness, cold sweats, nausea, or blurred vision may appear.

Therefore, having symptoms related to the vagal nerve does not always lead to fainting, and conversely, the occurrence of fainting cannot be immediately concluded to be caused by vasovagal syncope. If there is repetitive loss of consciousness or severe dizziness, a medical evaluation is necessary to differentiate it from heart disease or other neurological abnormalities.

For this reason, Lee's current condition should not be estimated as a specific disease or severity based solely on the expression 'vagal nerve dysfunction.' As stated by himself and his agency, he is currently at a stage where he must wait for the results of additional detailed examinations and the judgment of medical staff.

-Hyuna and Chaeyoung also experienced vasovagal syncope

The fact that the term vasovagal syncope is widely known to the public is also influenced by the public experiences of celebrities. Singer Hyuna has personally revealed that she experienced sudden blurred vision and fainting several times in the past, and learned it was vasovagal syncope through hospital examinations.

Hyuna explained that she initially thought her symptoms were related to other mental health issues, but confirmed the cause after undergoing an EEG and other tests at a university hospital upon the recommendation of medical staff. Later, it caused concern among fans when it was reported that she collapsed on stage during an actual performance.

TWICE's Chaeyoung also revealed that she previously temporarily suspended activities due to a diagnosis of vasovagal syncope. Actress Kim Jung-nan also shared an experience where she almost suffered a serious injury by hitting her face against nearby furniture while fainting in the past.

The commonality in their cases is that 'symptoms of sudden collapse' cannot be dismissed as mere fatigue or poor condition. Especially in environments where one stands for a long time or has high tension, such as on stage, if symptoms appear, immediate response from those nearby is crucial.

In Lee's case, it cannot be concluded from the available information that he is experiencing the same symptoms as Hyuna or Chaeyoung. Lee himself stated that he is dealing with 'vagal nerve dysfunction,' a neurological symptom, and is currently awaiting further detailed examinations.

Lee is a guitarist and singer-songwriter who has continued his musical activities through the rock band Roller Coaster. Since his marriage to Lee Hyo-ri, he has consistently communicated with the public through music, performances, and radio. In particular, on 'A Perfect Day, I am Lee Sang-soon,' he built a new broadcasting niche with a calm hosting style that emphasizes music and daily life over a flashy star image.

For him, suddenly stepping away from the live broadcast microphone carries more weight than a simple schedule change. His decision to prioritize health recovery over a rushed return is a necessary step for his long-term activities.

Currently, the more important question is not 'when will he return' but 'whether he can return after a full recovery.' Rather than promising an exact return date, Lee asked fans to "please wait a little longer." His agency also stated they will adjust future schedules with his recovery as the top priority.