Kim Jong Kook has sparked concern among fans as he revealed that he is still battling an ongoing illness, possibly due to his recent busy schedule. Previously, during the opening of the SBS variety show Running Manviewers noticed a change in his condition. Kim Jong Kook appeared while supported by Haha. Seeing this, Ji Suk Jin explained, “Jong Kook isn’t feeling well.” Kim Jong Kook added, “I developed a condition I had never heard of before,” revealing that a problem with his inner ear had affected his sense of balance. Ji Suk Jin also noticed that he seemed to be having trouble maintaining his balance.
Yoo Jae Suk commented on his strong sense of responsibility, saying: “Even when we tell him to rest, he won’t.” Kim Jong Kook jokingly shared: “When I told my mother I wasn’t feeling well, she said, ‘You should go to the shoot anyway, shouldn’t you?'” bringing some laughter despite the situation.
In a later video on his YouTube channel Gym young chefprovided more details about his health. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with vestibular neuritis, admitting, “My condition was so serious that even talking like that wasn’t easy.”
Vestibular neuritis is a condition that involves inflammation of the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, often causing severe dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Kim Jong Kook described his experience: “My sense of balance completely collapsed and it felt like the world was spinning. For two days I couldn’t eat anything and could barely drink water.”
As for the cause, he explained, “I traveled through four countries in the space of a month and the symptoms came on suddenly.” He added that he has not yet fully recovered, saying: “I still can’t drive, so my manager drives for me” which further worried fans.
Although he is not fully recovered, Kim Jong Kook continues his activities. “Even though I feel dizzy and it’s hard, I have to keep moving,” he said. “It’s part of the process of getting your vestibular system back into balance, so staying active actually helps with recovery.” He also explained that the problem currently affects his left vestibular system, while the right side is compensating, stressing that adaptation through movement is the key to a faster recovery.
Although he said he was told his condition would improve in about a week, Kim Jong Kook’s determination to continue filming despite not having fully recovered has sparked concern and support from fans.
Sources: OSEN
