Singer Lee Su-young reveals son's leukemia diagnosis, steps back from radio DJ duties

Singer Lee Su-young has revealed that her son has been diagnosed with leukemia.

On Monday, Lee posted a notice on the website of her CBS Music FM radio program "Lee Su-young's Meet at Noon," saying her son had suddenly fallen ill before the Chuseok holiday and was diagnosed with acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia after undergoing tests at a hospital. "He was admitted and has now started treatment, and he is holding up well," she wrote.

"He is going through tests and treatment that are hard to bear at such a young age, but he is enduring it all so bravely and admirably that even I, his mother, am surprised," she said. "Watching him by his side, I am also trying to pull myself together and get through each day with him."

She added that the expected treatment period is very long and that the intensive chemotherapy required in the early stages means she cannot take her eyes off her son, making it unavoidable for her to step away from hosting the program for now.

"I feel sorry and regretful that I will not be able to meet you all for a while, but I came to this difficult decision because I believe that right now, more than anything, it is my duty as a mother to stay by my child's side and help him get through this hard treatment," Lee said, asking listeners for their understanding.

Lee married a non-celebrity 10 years her senior in 2010 and gave birth to a son the following year. Her son, born in 2011, is 16 this year. Lee has served as the DJ of "Lee Su-young's Meet at Noon" since 2017.