Veteran actress Jeon Won-joo, 88, has revealed that she was diagnosed with early-stage dementia a year ago, bringing a wave of sympathy from fans and viewers.
On the September 29th episode of TV Chosun's 'Perfect Life,' Jeon reflected on her 64-year acting career and shared her current health struggles.
During the show, Jeon recounted her past experiences, including the frustration of being typecast in maid roles, her financial success through commercials, and her memorable on-screen mother-son relationship with actor Yoo Hae-jin. She expressed her desire to live healthily until 100 and shared her commitment to regular exercise.
However, beneath her cheerful demeanor lies a deep concern. Jeon confessed, “I was devastated when my closest friend, who has dementia, looked at me and asked, ‘Who are you?’”
Jeon described dementia as an indescribable pain, stating, “It’s not truly living. It’s devastating.”
She then revealed the shocking news that she was diagnosed with early-stage dementia a year ago. Fellow actress Lee Sung-mi empathized with Jeon, sharing her own experiences with friends suffering from dementia and the heartache of seeing loved ones not recognizing their family.
Jeon has prepared letters for her children, akin to a will, to avoid burdening them, saying, “Life is unpredictable, and I don’t want my children to suffer.”
Medical tests confirmed that Jeon has 'mild cognitive impairment.' Her Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 22 out of 30, below the normal threshold of 24, and a brain CT scan showed signs of brain atrophy. Specialists indicated that this could be an early stage of dementia with potential for progression.
Reporter: Na-yeon Jo, TenAsia nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr