By Raven Saunt, US Lifestyle Editor
Published: 16:48 BST, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 17:17 BST, 7 September 2026
K-pop soloist Evan has opened up for the very first time about his grueling childhood battle with cancer, detailing the sudden and frightening symptoms that ultimately led to his life-changing diagnosis when he was just a young boy in elementary school.
The singer, who was formerly known as Heeseung during his tenure as a member of the globally renowned boyband ENHYPEN, sat down for an extensive and deeply personal interview with Weverse Magazine to discuss his harrowing medical ordeal and how it has quietly shaped his life, his resilience, and his artistry.
Evan, now 24, explained that the ordeal began when he was in the fourth grade, a time when a child’s biggest worries should typically revolve around schoolyard games and homework rather than life-threatening illnesses. At first, the symptoms seemed completely ordinary and harmless, easily mistaken for a routine seasonal illness that would pass on its own with a little rest and warm fluids.
"I kept coughing, and at first I just figured it was a cold and didn’t think much of it, but then when I was playing soccer, I took four or five steps and suddenly couldn’t breathe," the star recalled during his interview with the publication. "I found out at the hospital later that it was cancer."
Following that terrifying moment on the soccer field, further medical evaluations and tests revealed a severe reality. Evan was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma, a form of cancer that originates in the infection-fighting white blood cells located within the body’s lymphatic system. According to the Mayo Clinic and leading medical institutions, malignant lymphoma can affect various parts of the body as abnormal cells accumulate and form masses, often requiring intensive and aggressive medical intervention.
Reflecting on the rigorous months that followed, Evan admitted that the medical journey was far from easy, placing an immense physical and emotional toll on both him and his family. However, even as a young child facing the daunting reality of a serious illness, he found strength in the dedication of his mother, who stood by his side throughout the entire ordeal.
"The treatment process wasn’t easy," Evan shared. "But when I saw how my mom took care of me nonstop, I wanted to put on a brave face for her."
Despite the exhausting treatments and hospital stays, the young boy tried to maintain a sense of normalcy and joy where he could. He would often participate in patient talent shows organized within the hospital walls, showcasing his early musical inclinations by playing the guitar and occasionally even stepping up to assume the role of host for the events. Even though he had harbored dreams of becoming a professional singer since he was just six years old, Evan noted that survival and day-to-day comfort took precedence during those difficult years, leaving little room to dwell on distant career aspirations.
"I dreamed of being a singer ever since I was six, but to be honest, back then I didn’t really have the mental bandwidth to even think about that," he explained.
Tragically, the reality of childhood cancer also exposed him to profound loss at a very tender age. The South Korean singer shared the heartbreaking memory of watching his peers struggle alongside him, with many ultimately losing their lives to the disease.
"I’d watch my friends pass away and kept thinking, ‘I want to live so badly, I want to go home,’" he recalled, acknowledging the immense gratitude he feels for simply being able to survive and continue his journey. "Thankfully I made it through treatment and got to go on with my life."
However, beating the disease and leaving the hospital gates did not mark an immediate return to an easy life. Transitioning back into ordinary school routines brought a completely new set of social and psychological challenges for the young boy, who struggled to fit back in with his peers after months of isolation and medical treatment.
"I had a lot less energy, and since my hair was still growing back from chemo, I got teased a lot for it," he candidly shared.
Although he eventually managed to make "good friends" by the time he reached middle school, Evan noted that the profound health journey he endured fundamentally shifted his personality, making him naturally more introverted and reserved than he might have been otherwise.
Remarkably, Evan chose to keep this chapter of his life entirely private throughout his rise to international fame, noting that he had not spoken publicly about his cancer battle since stepping into the spotlight as a professional singer. Opening up about the painful memories required him to revisit a vulnerable period of his past that he had intentionally left untouched for years.
"I haven’t thought about that in a long time. It hurts to bring it back up," he admitted.
Despite keeping the details private for most of his career, the worldwide sensation has inadvertently channeled the resilience forged during those difficult childhood years straight into his music. He pointed to specific lyrics in his solo discography that draw directly from his firsthand brushes with mortality, transforming his past trauma into a message of hope and perseverance for his fans.
"When I sing on ‘Death of Me,’ the lead single, that this ‘ain’t the death of me,’ it comes from a place of having actually gone right up to the edge of death myself," Evan explained. "No matter how far down I went, I felt over and over that it was never really the end."
Evan first captured the hearts of millions around the world as a beloved member of the mega-successful boyband ENHYPEN, performing with the group from 2020 until 2026. Earlier this year, he made the significant decision to depart from the group to carve out a distinct path as a solo artist. He officially launched his solo music career in March, subsequently treating fans to the release of his single "Ride or Die," as he continues to share his authentic voice and personal story with the world.
