Choi Yena opened up about a serious health struggle from her childhood and shared how her gratitude toward her parents has motivated her to support them after finding success.
During the September 19 episode of MBC’s "The Manager", Yena spoke about why her mother continues to worry about her health.
Yena revealed that she was diagnosed with childhood cancer when she was four years old and said her condition became extremely serious.
*“I had childhood cancer when I was young. I was between life and death. I was four years old,”* she shared, explaining that there was a time when doctors reportedly gave her family little hope about her recovery.
According to Yena, her parents devoted themselves to taking care of her while she was growing up because her health remained fragile.
Reflecting on everything they did for her, Yena said she developed a strong desire to succeed and give something back to them.
*“I felt very sorry because I caused them so much worry. From then on, I thought I absolutely had to succeed and take good care of my parents,”* she said.
The singer added that seeing her parents happy now means a lot to her after years of working toward that goal.
Yena then revealed some of the major gifts she has given her family. She said she helped provide her parents with a home and replaced her mother’s car, while she is also planning to get her father a new car.
*“I changed our house and my mom’s car, and this time I’m planning to change my dad’s car too. These days, we’re always happy,”* she said.
Yena’s story highlighted how her difficult childhood experience and her parents’ support became a major source of motivation for her, both personally and throughout her career.
