Legendary Wrestler Shim Kwon-ho Triumphs Over Liver Cancer and Embraces New Adventures in Jeju

Shim Kwon-ho, the legendary wrestler, has made a triumphant return to health after battling early-stage liver cancer, as seen on the recent episode of TV Chosun's 'Joseon's Love'.

On the episode aired on the 6th, Shim Kwon-ho appeared in good health, surprising viewers with his recovery. At a hair salon, he expressed gratitude, saying, "I'm sorry for causing concern. I promise to continue showing a healthy image."

When asked about his health, Shim shared, "I've been taking care of myself with good nutrition, and people say I look better. My skin seems to have improved." He added, "I played soccer last week, and people didn't even realize I had been sick," indicating his full recovery.

His transformed appearance drew compliments from fellow celebrities, with Hwang Bo-ra noting, "Your face looks so much better," and Kang Su-ji adding, "You look like a different person." Shim humorously remarked, "I might look like I'm going on a date, but I'm actually heading to Jeju for some healing."

Shim, who is visiting Jeju for the first time, shared, "I've never seen cherry blossoms or autumn leaves because wrestling season always coincided with those times. This is my first time enjoying a trip without any pressure," signaling a new chapter in his life. He confidently stated, "I used to be the ugly duckling, but now I've become a swan."

In Jeju, comedian Yoon Jung-soo and former fighter Choi Hong-man awaited Shim's arrival. Yoon showed concern, saying, "Shim wasn't well, so I insisted he come down here to rest."

Choi, who has been living in Jeju for six years, squeezed into a small foreign car rented by Yoon. He joked, "It's perfect for now. I always adapt to the situation," showcasing his humor.

As they drove in a convertible, Yoon asked Choi, "What did you eat to grow so tall? Did you eat something unusual?" Choi revealed, "I grew tall in high school. Until middle school, I was average. I drank a lot of milk instead of water, about 3 to 5 liters a day," surprising everyone.

He added, "I also had dreams of falling, like planes crashing or jumping off mountains."

Upon arriving in Jeju, Shim expressed his excitement, saying, "This is my first visit since the National Sports Festival. It's my first time here for a vacation. Jeju feels great, almost like being abroad."

Standing at 158cm and weighing 54kg, Shim humorously blocked a hug from his fellow athlete, 217cm and 160kg Choi, saying, "We don't like being lifted," but soon embraced him like a child, exclaiming, "It feels like I'm on the second floor." This prompted laughter from Choi Sung-kook, who commented, "It's like a scene from 'The Lord of the Rings'."

Kim Eun-jung, Ten Asia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr