Credit: kbizoom
On the April 20th episode of MBN’s variety show Let’s GO Season 4, Jang Geun-suk opened up about his recent battle with thyroid cancer and his renewed commitment to charitable work. The actor, often dubbed the “Prince of Asia,” welcomed hosts Ahn Jung-hwan and Hong Hyun-hee into his home and shared personal reflections that touched viewers deeply.
In August 2024, Jang Geun-suk shocked fans when he revealed his thyroid cancer diagnosis. Reflecting on how his life has changed since, he said, “I started treating myself more carefully. I’ve been trying to avoid things that are bad for my health. I even naturally quit smoking. The struggles I’ve gone through have made me stronger.”
Jang also shared his aspirations beyond acting: “To be honest, I have a bit of a dream. It might sound arrogant, but I want to earn more money. I want to give back to the people who’ve given to me. I’m currently studying because I want to build something related to charity.”
The motivation behind this goal was rooted in a personal experience. “There was a time I made a large donation, around 1.2 billion KRW (approx. $850,000 USD), to Hanyang University. I just thought it’d be great if it helped future students study better. Since it’s my alma mater, I later went to Hanyang University Hospital and saw my name on the list of donors. Because of that, I was able to undergo surgery under really good conditions. It hit me so deeply that what I gave came back to me. It felt like some kind of divine rule. That made me think more seriously about it.”
Seeing this as a turning point, he emphasized, “From now on, I want to earn more and share more with others. Some people might see this as arrogant or say, ‘He’s still greedy and showing off,’ but I’m not afraid of criticism. I intend to follow through with what I said.”
Jang Geun-suk’s candid revelation and unwavering commitment to philanthropy have once again shown his depth beyond the spotlight. As he continues to recover, he’s channeling his experience into a powerful mission to help others, a journey that’s only just begun.