Star Instructor Kim Chang-ok Diagnosed with Short-Term Memory Loss
"Undergoing CT, MRI, and Cognitive Tests for 3 Months"
"Guilt Over Mother’s Domestic Violence Victimization"
Star lecturer Kim Chang-ok (50), who was suspected of having Alzheimer's symptoms, was recently diagnosed with short-term memory loss. On the 18th, Kim appeared on MBC's entertainment program ‘Radio Star’ and said, “I am fine now,” while recalling the time he first visited the hospital due to suspected Alzheimer's symptoms. Kim said, “One day, I couldn't remember my phone number, then I forgot the password to my house, the building number, and even which floor my home was on,” adding, “As it got worse, I couldn't remember people either. They seemed to know me well, but I didn't recognize them at all.”
Star lecturer Kim Chang-ok, who confessed to short-term memory loss. [Image source=MBC 'Radio Star' capture]
Kim initially received a suspicion of Alzheimer's in his first examination, but was ultimately diagnosed with short-term memory loss. He revealed, “For about three months, I underwent chest CT, MRI, and brain cognitive function tests. The result was that I have the Alzheimer's gene, but it’s not active yet. They said it’s short-term memory loss disorder.” Regarding the cause of the illness, he shared that it stemmed from trauma caused by frequently witnessing his parents fighting during childhood. Kim said, “The doctor said, ‘It seems the cause is that you saw your parents fighting a lot when you were young,’” and added, “The doctor also said, ‘Trauma is remembered not by the brain but by the body.’”
However, Kim continues to steadily carry out lectures and broadcasting activities. He said, “The annual audience is about 100,000 people, and I have given over 300 lectures, so the cumulative audience is around 3.5 million. I think I have given more than 10,000 lectures over 20 years. Many people come back to watch again.”
Last November, Kim posted a lecture video titled ‘When an Unexpected Crisis Shakes My Life’ on his YouTube channel, where he confessed to experiencing suspected Alzheimer's symptoms, saying, “Recently, I forgot numbers and went to a neuro center.” He said, “At first, I forgot numbers, and trying to remember them caused me a lot of stress,” and added, “I forgot my house number, phone number, and even which unit I live in.”
Kim said, “The main causes of Alzheimer's are said to be alcohol and stress, but I don’t drink at all and don’t smoke,” and explained, “When I was young, my father often hit my mother, and she struggled with that life, but I felt guilty for not being able to save her,” adding, “I think that stress unfolded like a domino effect.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
