Actress Park So-dam Shares Personal Triumph Over Thyroid Cancer
Actress Park So-dam, known for her powerful performances, has opened up about her personal journey of overcoming thyroid cancer. The candid revelations came during a recent appearance on the television program ‘Hwa Young Man’s Baek Ban Gi Haeng’ (loosely translated as ‘Hwa Young Man’s Hundred-Dish Journey’).
A Sudden Diagnosis Amidst a Thriving Career
During the episode, Park So-dam accompanied host Heo Young-man on a culinary excursion to Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. While visiting a restaurant specializing in seasoned vegetables, Heo Young-man gently inquired about the actress’s health, noting that cancer often affects older individuals but that she was diagnosed at a young age.
Park So-dam, who garnered significant attention from her debut for her strong acting skills, revealed the profound shock of being diagnosed with cancer at just 31 years old, a critical juncture in her career. She described the overwhelming fear, admitting, “I was so scared. I’m not usually like this, but I didn’t even want to meet people.”
The Challenge of Voice Loss and a Redefined Path
The ordeal took another difficult turn when surgery impacted her voice. For six months following the operation, Park So-dam struggled with vocal impairment, leading to deep introspection. “My voice is something I always relied on as an actor, but for six months after the surgery, I couldn’t speak. I thought a lot during that time,” she shared. “I wondered if I could continue acting.”
The actress explained the gravity of this concern: “Because as an actor, you need to be able to produce a variety of sounds.” She added that it was only after this period of forced silence that she truly began to see herself. This challenging experience fostered a newfound appreciation for self-care and self-love.
A European Adventure and a Shift in Perspective
Post-surgery, Park So-dam made a conscious decision to embrace experiences she had never pursued before. She embarked on a solo 34-day trip across Europe, recounting a particularly memorable moment witnessing the Northern Lights in Iceland while driving a rented car for a month.
She reflected on the serendipitous nature of her journey: “There was an issue with tire pressure, and when I went to find a car center, they wished me luck, saying, ‘You’re traveling alone.’ Seeing the Northern Lights and everything, I thought, ‘If I hadn’t been sick, would I have taken on this challenge?'” This adventure solidified her commitment to cherishing herself.
Early Aspirations and Parental Support
During their conversation, Heo Young-man asked about her parents’ initial reaction to her acting aspirations. Park So-dam disclosed that her father was strongly against it. However, her mother eventually offered her support, suggesting she enroll in acting classes behind her father’s back. She humorously recalled how her father would question the high cost of the acting academy fees, to which her mother would attribute it to general tutoring expenses.
Park So-dam explained that she persisted for over a year, finally deciding to pursue acting seriously after seeing a musical in her first year of high school. This passion led her to enroll in the Korea National University of Arts. When Heo Young-man commented on it being a prestigious institution, she shared a touching anecdote: “My father’s colleagues, whose children were also attending prestigious schools, congratulated him when they heard I got into Korea National University of Arts. That’s when my father truly acknowledged my dream.”
Return to the Screen
Park So-dam was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer during a routine health check-up in 2021 and underwent surgery. She took a year-long hiatus from her career before making her comeback in the 2023 film ‘Ghost.’ Her openness about her health battle and subsequent recovery serves as an inspiration to many.
