Comedian Kim Soo-yong, 59, who recently survived a heart attack, has declared himself smoke-free and is laser-focused on getting healthy.
Calling into comedians Song Eun-yi and Kim Sook’s YouTube show on Dec. 3, Kim joked, “I went to the other side and they told me I wasn’t on the list yet ― ‘Why are you here? Go back.’ So I came back. Guess I tried to check out a little too early.”
On Nov. 13, while filming for Kim Sook’s YouTube channel in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Kim complained of chest pain and collapsed. Fellow entertainer Im Hyung-jun and staff immediately called emergency services and performed CPR, helping him regain consciousness.
Diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction, Kim underwent a procedure to open a narrowed artery and has since been discharged to recover at home. “I’m feeling good enough to take walks around my neighborhood,” he said, adding that he’ll scale back his workload and ease back in with a Kim Sook TV shoot.
He’s also drawing a hard line on smoking. “That’s it for cigarettes,” he said. “I’m not cutting back ― I’m quitting for good.” Kim Sook chimed in, “No e-cigarettes either. I’m officially passing my no-smoking mantra to you,” offering veteran-level encouragement.
Kim says he’s made a “do-not-eat” list, too ― alcohol, burgers, cola, cake and grilled beef among the items he’s swearing off.
Song Eun-yi, a close friend who also heads his management company, said she was relieved to see his easygoing humor back. “He’s cracking jokes and looks healthy. It’s the Kim Soo-yong we know,” she shared.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)