Renowned K-Drama Star Reflects on Life-Threatening Incident Caused by a Pimple
Kim Seung Soo nearly died from acute shingles, he revealed on KBS’s Problem Child In House.
The actor opened up about confusing his shingles rash for just a pimple. It all started after a business trip to China left him exhausted.
He said, “I had returned from a business trip to China. I was so exhausted that I nearly collapsed upon arriving in Korea. Feeling a little better, I had a drink at home and went to sleep.”
The next day, what looked like pimples kept spreading fast. Kim Seung Soo rushed to the hospital after a pharmacist advised immediate treatment.
“The next day, I woke up with pimples on my face. I thought, ‘It must be because I’m tired,’ but within 4–5 hours, it started spreading. I realized it wasn’t just regular pimples, so I went to a pharmacy. They told me it looked like shingles and advised me to go to the hospital immediately.”
— Kim Seung Soo
The situation got scary fast. Doctors warned the virus could invade his cornea, risking blindness.
“My entire face was covered in blisters. The pain felt like someone was scratching my face with a fork. When I was alone, the pain was so intense that I groaned aloud. The scary part was when the doctor said that if the shingles virus reached my brain, it could cause paralysis on one side of my body, or if it got into my eyes, I could go blind.”
— Kim Seung Soo
Kim Seung Soo spent 15 days in bed fighting the virus. The near-death experience changed how he sees life.
Photos:
Actor Kim Seung Soo on the show. | KBS
Shingles on a patient’s back shown on KBS News. | KBS
| KBS
This story gives a rare look at how dangerous shingles can be—even for stars.
Stay tuned for more updates on Kim Seung Soo’s health.