FTISLAND’s Lee Hong Gi has shed light on his painful, decades-long fight with a rare chronic illness.
On the June 15th episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy, the singer visited a hospital for a check-up and spoke candidly about his diagnosis: hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic rare disease that causes recurring pus-filled lesions in sweat gland areas like the buttocks and armpits. Beyond the pain, the condition causes daily inconvenience through necessary surgeries and resulting scars.
“Festival season is in full swing, and I’ve got performances lined up, so I came in just to be safe,” Lee explained. “I’ve had several flare-ups—it’s been 20 years since I struggled with these boils. I’ve had at least eight surgeries—three with you, and more at other hospitals.”
He continued, “Surgery leaves scars and I can’t go to public baths as much as I want. It was a huge complex for me.” He then went on to share that he once had a palm-sized boil removed and had to have a tube inserted, recalling, “It hurt whether I lay on my stomach or tried to sit. Sitting was especially difficult.”
Lee also recalled a heartbreaking moment from his school days: “It started when I was in middle school. I couldn’t sit properly during class—I had to tape medicated patches on and kind of perch on the edge of the chair. One day during class, the boil burst, and it soaked through my uniform. I had to go home early.”
During his exam, doctors found the condition well-managed around his lower body, but noted some minor signs under the arms. The attending physician explained, “When men reach their 40s, decreased male hormone production can reduce boil occurrence.”
Meanwhile, Lee Hong Gi participated in an awareness campaign for hidradenitis suppurativa patients last year, which garnered over 1 million views.
>> Lee Seung Gi, Jang Keun Suk and Lee Hong Gi Spotted in One Unexpected Snap
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