Comedian Cho Sae-ho offered a direct apology to Park Mi-sun―who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer―for attending a breast cancer awareness event that drew fire for feeling more like a star-studded cocktail party than a fundraiser.
Park appeared on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block on the Block” on Nov. 13, sharing her first in-depth update since stepping away from television after her diagnosis late last year. She halted all broadcasts to focus on treatment, returning to set for “You Quiz on the Block” as her only TV commitment this year.
Sporting a close-cropped cut after chemotherapy, Park said, “It’s my first time in 10 months doing my makeup and dressing up. I felt so unfamiliar looking in the mirror. I even thought about wearing a wig because I worried my look might shock people―but I decided to show up bravely as I am.”
She added, “People think I chose a short haircut, but I was completely bald―this is just how much has grown back.” As Park spoke, Cho listened solemnly. Sensing the heaviness, she tried to lighten the mood, but Cho jumped in: “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, and I feel sorry,” he said, addressing the recent controversy himself.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my attendance at the [breast cancer] event,” Cho said. “Because of that, I felt hesitant about meeting you. I’m taking this as a moment to deepen my understanding and awareness of breast cancer.”
Park comforted him, saying, “You must’ve been through a lot. You’ve lost weight,” before urging, “It’s okay now―give us a big smile.”
Cho’s apology follows backlash over his appearance at W Korea’s “Love Your W” breast cancer awareness charity gala on Oct. 15. The event drew criticism online for looking more like a celebrity drinks party than a cause-driven fundraiser. In response, W Korea said, “We acknowledge concerns that parts of the event’s composition and execution were not appropriate for its stated purpose, and we take them seriously,” adding that the team would “thoroughly reexamine the entire planning and execution process.”
During the broadcast, Park also detailed her health journey. She was diagnosed during a routine checkup late last year. Initially expecting a simple surgery for an early-stage tumor, she learned it had spread to her lymph nodes and began chemotherapy. She revealed there was a dangerous moment when she developed pneumonia during treatment.
Having completed 16 rounds of radiation, Park is now on medication and didn’t shy away from describing the grueling side effects: “It’s treatment to live, but it felt like I was going to die. Chemo took my voice, and peripheral neuropathy numbed my hands and feet. I broke out in hives, and at one point I had severe herpes-like blisters across my body.”
[Photo: tvN Broadcast Screenshot]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)