Broadcaster Lee Soo-geun's wife Park Ji-yeon has shared her feelings ahead of her kidney transplant surgery.
On the 19th, Park Ji-yeon posted a lengthy message on her Instagram account, stating, “After suffering from pregnancy-induced hypertension, my kidneys stopped functioning, and I had to undergo a kidney transplant, but due to rejection, I had no choice but to continue dialysis. My brother has been urging me to get a transplant for the past seven years, but I have been hesitant because I didn't want to burden my family again.”
She continued, “Then, due to gallstones, my brother had to undergo open surgery, and I also decided to receive my biological brother's kidney with the medical team's judgment and my family's consent due to issues with my heart and blood vessels. The fact that my father and now my brother have offered their organs for me weighs heavily on my heart, but I know that what I have received is not just an organ but my family's deep love, and I can only be grateful.”
Park Ji-yeon also expressed, “From now on, I will cherish this grace and live each day more precious and healthily. Especially to my beloved friends who have supported me! I will repay each and every one of you. I have received a lot of support and have had many thoughts. Everyone has their own difficulties in life. Knowing that I am not the only one in pain makes me more cautious.”
She added, “What I was most cautious about was whether my situation would reflect sadness in my husband's demeanor. It is his job to bring smiles to people. There is a saying I have liked for a long time.”
“A comedian is not a funny person, but a person who brings laughter.” My husband always wants to bring smiles to people, just like that saying.”
She continued, “I hope my pain does not reflect in my husband's demeanor. I wish for my husband's name to no longer be mentioned alongside my pain. In the future, when I think of my husband, I hope there will be more laughter than sadness, and more warm stories than worries. I will quietly support him as someone who encourages laughter, not as a broadcaster with a sick wife.”
Finally, she stated, “I will keep my personal matters quietly within myself. I hope this writing remains as a record of my feelings rather than being conveyed as an article. I plan to refrain from going out for a few months due to immunosuppressants and take some time away from my phone to focus on myself. I will take care of myself and recover well.”
Park Ji-yeon, a former stylist, married Lee Soo-geun in 2008 and has two sons. She revealed that after receiving her father’s kidney in 2011, she experienced side effects from steroids due to rejection. She announced that she will be receiving a kidney transplant from her biological brother after 14 years.
