FT Island's Lee Hong-gi Opens Up About Battle with Rare Skin Condition

FT Island member Lee Hong-gi has revealed his struggle with a rare skin condition.

On the October 15th episode of SBS's variety show 'My Little Old Boy,' Lee Hong-gi was shown visiting a hospital for a medical check-up.

During the show, Lee Hong-gi shared, "I've been managing it well, but recently I felt unusual symptoms under my armpit again. I also wanted to check if everything was okay with my hip, so I visited the hospital." He then disclosed that he suffers from Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a rare chronic skin condition characterized by recurrent boil-like lumps in areas such as the buttocks and armpits.

At the hospital, Lee Hong-gi explained, "I've been suffering from boils for 20 years. Since childhood, I've had about eight surgeries for boils. The scars left on my buttocks have been a complex for me." The doctor diagnosed, "Hidradenitis Suppurativa is classified into three stages based on severity. In stage 1, inflammation occurs in one or two areas, but in stage 2, the inflammation becomes more severe. It seems Hong-gi was at that level."

The doctor recalled a past surgery, saying, "(Lee Hong-gi's) boil was about the size of a palm. There was a lot of pus in the right buttock, causing it to swell and become painful. We proceeded with surgery immediately due to the amount of pus."

Lee Hong-gi expressed, "It's hard to lie down, sit, or even stand up. The condition started in middle school. I couldn't sit properly during class. Once, while sitting with a poultice on, a boil burst during class, soaking my uniform."

The examination revealed no major issues. The doctor advised, "There's no inflammation in the buttocks, only in the armpit. Since it's been caught early, let's manage it well. Boils occur when male hormones are highly secreted, but as you reach your 40s, the secretion decreases, so it should improve."

At 36 years old, Lee Hong-gi wryly remarked, "Doesn't that mean my male hormones are disappearing?" eliciting laughter.

Reported by Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr