'1% Survival Chance' Teacher Struck by Lightning and Survived "Everyone Told Me to Buy a Lottery Ticket..."

High School Teacher Kim Gwanhaeng Struck by Lightning, Cardiac Arrest
40 Minutes of CPR, ECMO Treatment at Chonnam National University Hospital
"Thanks to Emergency Medical Staff"... Donates 10 Million Won to Hospital

Last summer, high school teacher Kim Gwanhaeng, who survived a lightning strike against less than a 1% chance, reportedly donated 10 million won to Chonnam National University Hospital. On the 25th, he appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' alongside emergency medicine specialist Professor Jo Yongsu of Chonnam National University, who saved his life.

High school teacher Kim Gwanhaeng (right) and emergency medicine specialist Professor Cho Yongsu of Chonnam National University. Provided by Chonnam National University Hospital

On August 5th, Kim went to Gwangju Chosun University campus for training when he was struck by lightning around lunchtime and collapsed. At that time, he was discovered by teaching assistants from the College of Education who were watching outside the window due to a loud thunderclap, and he received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before being transported to the emergency room of Chosun University Hospital within 7 minutes. Kim’s father, who is a doctor, recalled the situation vividly. He said, "I still remember it clearly," and added, "I received a call around 12:20 saying it seemed like my son was struck by lightning. They performed CPR for over 20 minutes, but his heart wouldn’t restart, so I asked when they might arrive."

He continued, "Fortunately, I got a call 10 minutes later saying his heart had restarted. I was relieved and went to the emergency room, but he was unconscious and hooked up to all sorts of machines. They said his lungs were filled with fluid, so oxygen supply was insufficient. At that point, if he endured, he would survive; if not, he would die," and added, "As time passed, oxygen levels kept rising and vasopressors were increased. I saw him dying right before my eyes. I just hoped he would survive. His face was swollen so much I hardly recognized him, and he looked very bad. From there, I felt frustrated again."

Despite about 40 minutes of CPR, Kim’s condition worsened, and he was transferred to Chonnam National University Hospital equipped with ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). ECMO is a device that pumps blood outside the body to supply oxygen and then returns it, effectively replacing heart and lung functions externally. Professor Jo, who led the ECMO treatment, said, "At first, his condition was very poor. His heart had stopped for too long, he was completely unconscious, and despite using all available blood pressure medications, his blood pressure was less than half of a normal person’s. Even with a ventilator, his hypoxia was severe, and he could have died within 1 to 2 hours."

However, after three days and nights of ECMO treatment, Kim regained strength, and after 10 days of hospitalization, his condition improved enough to remove the ventilator. Professor Jo said, "The survival rate for lightning strike accidents is said to be 1%, but I think it’s even lower. Usually, if someone’s heart stops from a lightning strike, they are declared dead without CPR for over 30 minutes. I thought recovery was impossible, but Kim overcame it on his own," adding, "I believe his strong will helped him survive. I also thought that doctors should never give up before the patient does."

It is known that Kim lost memory for two weeks starting two days before the lightning strike. He said, "Recently, many people have told me to buy lottery tickets, but I feel like I’ve already used up all my luck just by surviving. I think I was one of the unluckiest people who got lucky. I was fortunate to be found and transported. I showed scenes that could have left trauma, but I overcame it and am grateful to be alive."

Teacher Kim Gwanhaeng, who survived a lightning strike, donated 10 million won to Chonnam National University Hospital, which saved his life. Photo by tvN

Kim’s father was also reportedly personally acquainted with the late Yoon Handeok, former director of the Central Emergency Medical Center, who greatly contributed to establishing Korea’s emergency medical system. Director Yoon led the Central Emergency Medical Center for 17 years from 2002, working to improve the emergency medical system by introducing doctor helicopters, but tragically passed away from overwork in his office during the 2019 Lunar New Year holiday duty.

In response, Kim donated 10 million won to Chonnam National University Hospital last month, saying, "I have always had a good feeling toward the emergency medicine department, but I never thought I would personally benefit from it. I am grateful to everyone and decided to make this donation."