Choreographer Bae Yoon-jung's Mother Shares Emotional Story of Cancer Battle
In a recent episode of MBC's variety show, 'Please Take Care of My Mom' (엄마를 부탁해), choreographer Bae Yoon-jung (배윤정) and her mother, Lee Jeong-soon (이정순), opened up about their struggles with cancer. Lee Jeong-soon revealed that she has fought cancer twice. Bae Yoon-jung recounted a harrowing moment when her mother suddenly complained of severe stomach pain. After a visit to a local hospital, she was initially diagnosed with gastritis, but the next night, she was in agony, pleading for help. A diagnosis from a university hospital later confirmed stage 3 colon cancer.
Although she overcame colon cancer, Lee Jeong-soon faced another challenge with thyroid cancer. She explained that during a routine health check, doctors noticed something unusual with her throat, leading to prompt surgery after further tests at a major hospital. "I feel lucky to have caught it in time," she said.
Bae Yoon-jung shared that despite their family's financial struggles, her mother worked hard during her high school years to support her dream of becoming a choreographer. She described the difficult conditions dancers faced while traveling for regional performances, often having to sit on the floor of a van while the singer and stylist took the seats. "If the singer wasn't hungry, we couldn't even stop at rest areas. We really worked under poor conditions," she recalled.
Hearing her daughter's story, Lee Jeong-soon became emotional, stating, "I never paid for her dance academy fees. Instead, my daughter used the money she earned from her part-time jobs to pay for my treatment. I always feel grateful and wish I could do more for her..."
