Korean actor Park Seo-joon’s donation enabled life-saving surgery for boy with brain tumour

South Korean actor Park Seo-joon has shared the heartwarming story of how he helped a child suffering from a brain tumour.

The 36-year-old K-drama star posted a photo of a handwritten letter on Instagram Stories on April 29, from the family of a boy who successfully underwent a stem-cell transplant thanks to Park’s donation.

The family wrote that they were devastated when the child was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2024.

“Terms like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the enormous treatment costs, left us overwhelmed mentally and financially,” the family wrote. “We are starting to feel hopeful now that he has completed his first stem-cell surgery.”

The young patient was apparently surprised to learn his surgery had been sponsored by a celebrity.

“Our child said he would like to meet you in person after he recovers, and that he hopes to become famous so that he can help others too,” the family said. “It made us laugh for the first time in a long while.”

Park has starred in dramas such as What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018), Itaewon Class (2020) and Gyeongseong Creature (2023 to 2024). He also made his Hollywood debut in American superhero film The Marvels (2023).

Expressing their gratitude to Park, the family added: “Mr Park’s valuable support has given our family hope and courage. Together with our child, we hope to be a family who help others.”

Park replied to the family while sharing the letter on Instagram: “I reiterate my determination to live well and hope to meet him after he recovers.”

He also shared a separate letter sent by the Samsung Medical Centre, which stated that a patient was recently able to get the surgery thanks to his donation.

Park had previously donated 100 million won (RM302,600) to help victims affected by floods in South Korea in 2020 and donated the same amount to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria in 2023. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network