Actor Chae Jong-hyeop, who previously shared that he received a Grade 5 wartime service exemption due to epilepsy, is paying it forward with a major donation to help others living with the condition.
The Korea Epilepsy Association announced on the 7th that Chae donated 50 million won to fund medical expenses for low-income patients and support public awareness initiatives around epilepsy.
“I understand the pain of living with epilepsy,” Chae said via the association. “It’s a small contribution, but I hope it offers strength to the kids battling this and to the people who worry about them.”
Dr. Kim Heung-dong, chair of the Korea Epilepsy Association and a pediatric specialist at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, thanked the actor, saying, “His understanding and support are a powerful source of encouragement for patients and their families. It’s vital that those directly affected speak up to challenge stigma and prejudice.”
The gift carries added weight given Chae’s own journey. In past interviews, he revealed his epilepsy diagnosis and spoke candidly about treatment and his military assessment. He first experienced symptoms around age 20 while living in Durban, South Africa. After returning to Korea for testing, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and, in 2018, was classified as Grade 5 by the Military Manpower Administration.
“At the time, I was told to come back after a full recovery because if I collapsed while handling a gun or grenade, it could endanger others,” he recalled, adding that despite consistent treatment, EEG abnormalities led to the Grade 5 determination. He continues to manage his condition with daily medication. “I love acting,” he said, “and I want to keep going as long as it doesn’t overtax my body.”
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Roughly 70-80% of patients can control symptoms with medication. An estimated 370,000 people in Korea live with epilepsy, yet many still face significant stigma and discrimination.
Chae broke out in the 2019 SBS drama "Hot Stove League" and is set to star in the new MBC series "In Your Radiant Season" in 2026.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)