His doctor told him he had a 20 percent chance of survival.
In a recent video shared by comedian Myung-soo Park‘S YouTube channel, Facial Genius Cha Eun Soocomedian-restaurateur Hong Seok Cheon (also known as Tony Hong) spoke of a serious health problem that eventually led him to close his many businesses.
In 2000, after coming out, Hong was no longer allowed to appear on television due to homophobic reactions in Korea.
TV personality Hong Seok Cheon recalls what it was like coming out as gay in Korea 23 years ago
Hong opened his first Italian restaurant in Itaewon to earn a living. Over the next two decades, he became the most successful restaurateur in Itaewon. At one point, Hong said he earned ₩5.00 billion KRW (approximately $3.74 million USD) to ₩7.00 billion KRW (approximately $5.24 million USD) annually from his restaurants.
Yet in 2020, during and after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong closed all of his restaurants. When asked about this drastic decision, Hong said a life-threatening case of sepsis had led him to do so.
I guess people thought I was a failure because I closed all the restaurants, and journalists ran articles claiming I didn’t survive Itaewon. There’s some truth to that, of course. But it was more true because I got sick before COVID-19.
—Hong Seok Cheon
Hong said he had been in pain, but decided to put off his medical appointment because his restaurants kept him busy. When he finally ended up in the hospital, his doctor told him how dire the situation could have been.
I had sepsis. I didn’t realize it until the inflammation got so bad it exploded inside me. I was in a lot of pain for a week, but it was the end of the year. Restaurants were very crowded, so I didn’t think to take the time to go to the doctor. I tried to get over it with painkillers. The fact is, sepsis can be life-threatening.
It was December 31st when I suddenly got chills. My manager took me to the hospital and as soon as the doctor saw me, he immediately took me to the operating room and removed all the infection. When I woke up, the doctor said: “Mr. Hong, if you continue to live like this, you will die.”
If I had come in even a day later, my chances of dying would have been 80-90 percent, the doctor said. I went to the hospital with a fever of 104°F (40°C).
—Hong Seok Cheon
Realizing that “I can’t live like this” Plus, Hong decided to give up his restaurant life. According to Hong, he had already started getting rid of his restaurants when COVID-19 hit. After the pandemic, Hong said goodbye to Itaewon forever.
After receiving post-op treatment for a week and thinking, “I can’t live like this anymore” I decided to get my life in order. So, I decided to quit on my own. At first, I thought I should keep at least one restaurant under my name, so I kept one in Itaewon and one in Namyangju, but then COVID-19 came. I tried to work hard for another year, but with no business due to the pandemic, I decided to close everything.
—Hong Seok Cheon
Even though Hong’s restaurants have closed, he remains a beloved figure in Korean entertainment.
Watch the full video here.
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