Credit: SBS
Lee Dong Gun revealed a shocking health diagnosis on SBS’s My Little Old Boy , sharing for the first time that he has been battling ankylosing spondylitis—a rare, incurable autoimmune disorder that affects only about 1% of South Korea’s population.
The episode, which aired September 28th, showed the actor visiting a hospital after experiencing severe eye pain and recurring bloodshot eyes. Appearing on camera with visibly inflamed eyes, Lee’s condition immediately drew concern from both the panelists and viewers.
“In mild cases it just feels like my focus is off,” Lee explained during his consultation. “But when it’s bad, my eyes become extremely bloodshot and painfully sensitive to light. If I close my left eye, my vision loss feels even greater. I’ve been on medication for a year now, so I can manage, but at first it was unbearable.”
Genetic testing and X-ray results confirmed the diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic condition with no clear cause and no cure, requiring lifelong management. His mother watching the clip in the studio teared up at the sobering news. “I wish I could suffer in his place,” she said.
Doctors stressed that while Lee’s current symptoms are manageable, failing to stay on top of treatment could worsen his condition. He urged the actor to make significant lifestyle adjustments, including cutting out alcohol, smoking, sugar, and flour, while consistently taking vitamin C to reduce inflammation.
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