Wonder Girls’ Yubin reveals sister-in-law’s cancer battle, urges insurance coverage for treatment

Yubin, a former member of girl group Wonder Girls, has disclosed a family struggle with cancer while calling for expanded health insurance coverage for breast cancer treatment drugs.

The singer shared on social media on Monday that a close family member has been battling breast cancer since 2020.

“My elder sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has endured treatment ever since. Unfortunately, in 2024, it metastasized to her brain, and she has been fighting a painful battle every day,” Yubin wrote.

She said that while her family has identified an effective treatment, financial barriers have made it difficult to continue. “We found a medication that works, but due to the financial burden, receiving proper treatment has become nearly impossible,” she said.

Alongside the post, Yubin urged fans to support a national petition calling for health insurance coverage of Tukysa (tucatinib), a treatment shown to be effective for advanced breast cancer.

The petition highlights that although Tukysa is approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, patients must import it privately at high out-of-pocket cost, leaving many unable to access it.

“This is not just about my family,” Yubin said. “It is about whether breast cancer patients in the future will be able to receive better treatment. Please lend your support so that many patients can hold on to hope.”

The petition, registered last month, has so far gathered more than 11,000 signatures.

Following her initial post, Yubin clarified through a comment that the patient is her cousin’s wife, not her biological sister, after fans expressed concern.

Her appeal has prompted an outpouring of support and sympathy from fans online.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.