K-Drama Actor Confesses To Suffering From Partial Paralysis While Filming

Actor Go Joon, best known for his roles in The Fiery Priest and Good Boy, recently shared the scary experience of developing partial paralysis while filming one of his most important projects.

Go shared the story in the December 15 broadcast of Channel A’s variety show, Table for 4. The life-altering health crisis happened while he was filming Tazza: The Hidden Card, his breakout movie that took him out of nearly 18 years of career stagnation.

Recalling the time, Go admitted that it was the role of his dreams. However, after finishing two-thirds of the movie, he suddenly developed partial paralysis. The actor explained that while filming, he became so immersed in his character that his immune system was weakened, leading him to develop shingles. While usually shingles only affects the body, in Go’s case, it spread to his brain and caused partial paralysis.

Despite his condition, Go Joon pushed himself to continue filming. Since the muscles on the paralyzed side of his face had sagged, he had to act with a wire structure placed inside his mouth to keep his face in its usual shape. “My gums bled constantly, causing multiple takes, but the production team accommodated me by filming from one side, allowing us to finish the movie,” he recalled.

For his condition, Go explained, the golden period is six months, after which one has to live with lifelong repercussions. But even after seven months, his facial paralysis remained. After visiting seven different hospitals for treatment, he was told that he couldn’t act anymore by six of them. But after pushing through the filming, Go Joon put himself through grueling treatments. Over the course of two and a half years, he received acupuncture with 200 needles every day. He miraculously made a full recovery.

Go admitted that the health crisis changed his personality completely. “I just want to make people laugh,” the actor said, adding that when he is not trying to make others laugh, he has a pretty “serious and boring” personality.

Go Joon’s story has left a deep impression on viewers, who praised his perseverance and dedication to his craft.