Comedian Song Eun-yi mentioned her mother's decision to apply for body donation.
On the 18th, KBS2’s ‘Problematic Children in the Rooftop Room’ featured guest Yoo Seong-ho.
On this day, Yoo Seong-ho talked about the culture of preparing for death in Japan, known as ‘writing an ending note’, saying, “By writing an ending note, I can understand what I like and dislike. And by thinking of the precious people around me, I can live better in the present,” recommending the writing of an ending note.
Song Eun-yi stated, “My mother applied for body donation. She went to the hospital holding hands with a friend and filled out the application form. She said, ‘I applied for body donation, so you all should agree too.’ At first, it was very strange, but since it was what my mother wanted, I agreed.”
Song Eun-yi's mother applied for body donation for research purposes, specifically for cadaver use. When Yoo Seong-ho expressed regret, saying, “It would have been better if it was Seoul National University,” Song Eun-yi explained, “It was because Yonsei University was closer.”
When Song Eun-yi asked, “Are there specific symptoms at the end of life?” Yoo Seong-ho replied, “For each person, there is a state called delirium, where most people are in a coma for more than two weeks before death. Waking up and leaving a final word is something that can only happen in movies or dramas.”
He continued, “Dying in your sleep is lucky. Sudden death is very difficult. Life does not easily end, so sudden death is relatively rare. The reason for autopsying sudden deaths is because people think, ‘It can’t be true,’ and that’s why it’s done.”
When asked if he had prepared for what kind of death he would face, Yoo Seong-ho said, “I would recommend a pre-advanced medical directive. There are times when my loved ones have to make decisions for me at the last moment. Should they perform CPR or not? CPR is painful. Of course, it should be done for someone who can be saved, but after being saved, one might wonder if relying on life support is meaningful. Wouldn’t I hate for my loved ones to worry about that? Then who should decide? It should be me.”
He added, “I really dislike preparing for death, but if I had to prepare just one thing, I would prepare a pre-advanced medical directive that allows for the cessation of eight types of life-sustaining treatment. Artificial respiration and blood transfusions are more painful than expected. If I feel it’s meaningless, I can apply at the health center. And I can cancel it anytime.”
[Lee Se-bin, Star Today Guest Reporter]
