'I want to live': comedian cries out battling terminal-stage cancer
Kim Chul-min in hospital pajamas performs on Aug. 24. Captured from Kim's Facebook account.
By Park Si-soo
“When I open my eyes in the morning these days, I feel gratitude for being alive and being able to live another day.”
This message that comedian/street musician Kim Chul-min, 52, posted on his
on Aug. 16 represents the mixed feelings of profound sadness and gratitude taking root in his mind as the clock of life ticks to its end.
He was confirmed to be in the terminal stage of lung cancer early this month. Cancer cells have spread to the whole of his body, he wrote. That means he has only months to live.
“I find my sadness being diluted when I think that if I'm gone, I will be able to meet my parents and elder brother again,” he wrote, referring to his family members, all of whom died of cancer. “At the same time, sadness comes from the fact that the time for me to bid a farewell to people whom I've met on earth is nearing.”
He said he prays to God every day for help, forgiveness and recovery, if possible. He added he will keep the spirit of entertainer uncompromised until the very last moment by singing and playing guitar for people as long as his health allows.
“That's the only way I can repay the love and support I've received from my fans,” he wrote.
Kim has pledged to keep the spirit of entertainer uncompromised until the very last moment by singing and playing guitar for people as long as his health allows. Captured from Kim's Facebook account
As he promised, he took to the stage on Aug. 24 ― the first since his health problem was revealed ― belting out songs and playing as energetically as he used to. The only differences compared with his normal concerts were that he was wearing white hospital pajamas, instead of vividly colored shirts and pants, and a dark gray cap on his head where he once had spiky colorful hair.
“Hello folks! Thank you. Thank you so much. Love you,” he wrote, sharing a video of the seemingly crowded concert on Sunday. An outpouring of cheering messages followed, most from those who have sympathy for the entertainer.
“I root for you. I wish a miracle would happen to you,” a follower wrote.
Another wrote: “Stay strong.”
Kim responded the following day with words of appreciation and gratitude, but he couldn't completely hide the true voice from his broken heart.
“Please pray for me,” he wrote. “I want to live.”