Nam Gyu Ri moved viewers to tears after she openly spoke about her painful family history and her father’s decades-long illness.
The emotional confession was made during the May 25 broadcast of tvN STORY’s variety show What’s Left After Eating, where Nam Gyu Ri appeared alongside fellow SeeYa members Lee Bo Ram and Kim Yeon Ji.
During the conversation, Nam Gyu Ri shared that all the members had once been the breadwinners of their families.
MC Lee Young Ja then asked her how she would spend a large amount of money if she received it suddenly.
In response, Nam Gyu Ri calmly revealed, “My father has been ill for a long time.”
He explained that his father battled the disease for nearly 20 years without any significant improvement.
When asked if her condition had improved, she replied:
“NO.”
Fighting back tears, Nam Gyu Ri reflected on the emotional burden carried by families with chronically ill loved ones.
He shared, “When someone in the family is sick for a long time, the whole family also suffers.”
The singer further explained that her hopes for her father now go beyond just wanting him to be a good daughter.
“I just want to make him a little more comfortable than he is now,” she said emotionally.
“Every year, every time the seasons change, I think about it.”
Nam Gyu Ri also revealed that her father is often rushed to the emergency room unexpectedly, but expressed gratitude for continuing to fight for so many years.
She tearfully added: “I just want him to sleep somewhere nicer.”
The actress and singer then spoke honestly about her difficult upbringing.
“I grew up in extreme poverty. We received social assistance from the government,” she revealed.
Thanks to these experiences, Nam Gyu Ri said she hopes to one day help children grow up in similarly challenging environments.
She explained: “Living well is important, but if I ever become capable enough, I want to help children who grow up like I did.”
Nam Gyu Ri concluded by saying that she hopes to repay the love she has received through music and meaningful acts of kindness in the future.
Nam Gyu Ri debuted with SeeYa in 2006 and rose to fame with hit songs including Women’s Scent, Crazy Love Song and Love Greeting.
After years of separation following controversy surrounding her departure from the group in 2009, SeeYa recently reunited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the group’s debut in 2026.
Sources: Nate News
