How Woo-bin went from '6-months to live' to being cancer-free
South Korean actor Kim Woo-bin recently shared his experience battling nasopharyngeal cancer, a rare form of the disease. He was diagnosed in 2017 and has since made a full recovery. The actor discussed his journey while promoting his new Netflix film, Officer Black Belt. Despite the grim prognosis at the time of diagnosis, Kim maintained a positive attitude throughout his treatment.
Receiving the diagnosis was like a scene from a drama
Kim recalled the moment he received his cancer diagnosis during an appearance on the YouTube channel Zzanbro Shin Dong Yup. He described it as a scene from a drama, where the doctor suddenly told him he only had six months to live. The news left him shocked and scared, but he chose to view the treatment period as a time for rest and recovery.
Actor's positive attitude helped him through treatment
Following his diagnosis, Kim began radiation treatment and took a break from his acting career. He was also exempted from mandatory military service. Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic and saw the situation as an opportunity to regain his strength. He said, "So many people, simply because they recognized my face, offered their support and prayers. I believe that support gave me strength."
The actor makes a successful comeback
Kim made a successful comeback to the screen after his full recovery. He starred in the 2022 sci-fi film Alienoid alongside Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri, and returned for its sequel Alienoid: Return to the Future in 2024. In the realm of K-dramas, he appeared in Our Blues (2022) and Netflix's Black Knight (2023).
