Lee Dong Gun, a singer and actor from Korea, revealed that he suffers from a rare genetic disease and needs to change his lifestyle. It’s not something his mother expected to hear, and the condition is potentially much worse than originally thought.
The News Of Rare Disease Breaks
The actor, known for his roles in K-dramas like Sweet 18 and Lovers in Paris, has won awards over the years. However, unknown to him, a rather serious condition was developing, though he was unaware of it. The news arrived this weekend, and Allkpop noted that it was shared on an episode of the SBS show My Ugly Duckling.
Lee learns about his genetic disease on SBS ‘My Ugly Duckling’ – Via Allkpop
In the episode, Lee Dong Gun explained that his eyes were causing him a lot of concern. He told the doctor that his eyes felt constantly watery and that he was using eye drops almost permanently. He also frequently took antibiotics.
However, it turned out to be more than a common eye infection. After a full examination that went beyond his eyes, the doctor concluded he likely has a condition called chronic uveitis, which is an inflammation of the eye’s middle layer.
Unfortunately, in his case, the uveitis is likely a symptom of a larger issue. The doctor found it unusual for the condition to recur so constantly and suspected an underlying cause. He explained that the root problem is most likely ankylosing spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis.
What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
In simple terms, the K-drama actor, who has no known family history of the condition, has a disease where the spine gradually stiffens and fuses together. Upon hearing the news, Lee recalled that some time ago, he suffered from really bad back pain, but he assumed it was merely temporary.
He will now likely have to adopt a different lifestyle, and activities like drinking alcohol are now off the table. His condition appears quite debilitating, and the doctor revealed that “Lee’s sacroiliac joint showed arthritis at stage 2–3,” which is linked to inflammation caused by the HLA-B27 gene. This condition is very rare.
As John Hopkins Medicine explains, Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that primarily targets the spine. Its main symptom is chronic back pain and stiffness, which can, over time, cause vertebrae to fuse, potentially resulting in a rigid, hunched posture.
Although the spine is the main area affected, the condition can also impact other joints and cause issues like eye inflammation. While its exact cause is unknown, a strong genetic association with the HLA-B27 gene is recognized, suggesting environmental factors also contribute.
Can Lee Be Cured?
Unfortunately for the K-drama actor, the condition isn’t curable. However, lifestyle changes and treatments to help manage the symptoms can make a difference. Going forward, it is important that Lee Dong-gun stays active, as exercise can help reduce pain.
What are your thoughts about Lee Dong Gun suffering from this rare genetic illness? Have you ever heard of it? Are you shocked that what he thought was an eye condition turned out to be so much more serious? Let us know in the comments below, and come back often for all your K-Pop and K-drama news and updates.
