Veteran Voice Actor Bae Han-sung Opens Up About Mild Cognitive Impairment Diagnosis

Renowned voice actor Bae Han-sung, aged 80, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

Bae Han-sung will appear on TV CHOSUN's 'Perfect Life' airing at 8 PM on the 8th, where he will share updates about his life. He mentioned, "For the past 2-3 years, I've been frequently losing things and feeling too lazy to do anything, even giving myself the nickname 'Lazy-ist'. My eldest daughter noticed and asked why I was acting as if I had dementia, so I got tested and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment," he shared, evoking sympathy. To ensure his brain health hasn't deteriorated, Bae has undergone various tests, including a mini-mental state examination, clinical dementia rating, and digital dementia tests. The show will explore his current brain health status and ways to prevent dementia.

He also became emotional recalling his late mother, who suffered from dementia. When host Hyun Young asked about his mother's condition, Bae reflected, "Talking to her felt like a monologue. Neither good nor bad words reached her, and eventually, I felt a sense of emptiness. I cared for her with my heart," he reminisced. He expressed regret, saying, "Having never been ill myself, I lacked awareness about such illnesses."

Additionally, Bae reunites with fellow voice actor Kim Ki-hyun, reminiscing about their past. During their conversation, Bae expressed gratitude towards Kim, saying, "I worked as a freelancer after five years at TBC, and when I went to MBC, people questioned my presence. But Kim was different; he protected me like a bodyguard, and I still feel indebted to him." The episode will also delve into the golden era of these two giants in the voice acting industry.

TV CHOSUN's 'Perfect Life' airs on the 8th at 8 PM.

Reported by Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr