INFINITE's Nam Woohyun marked his return to the music scene with the release of his first full-length solo album, WHITREE, on November 28, 2023, after a hiatus of nearly two years.

Facing the Silent Battle: GIST Diagnosis and Surgical Journey

In a surprising turn of events, Woohyun disclosed his silent struggle with a rare form of cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), during an interview with TheKoreaTimes ahead of his comeback promotions. The illness, originating in the digestive system, took him by surprise, leading to surgery in early 2023.

In the revealing interview, Woohyun spoke of his extensive recovery and the unexpected depth it brought to his musical perspective. Supported by family, nurses, and fellow patients, he emerged from the experience with newfound maturity.

His hope is that his music can inspire others facing adversity, echoing the courage he found in his battle against cancer.

Behind Closed Doors: Woohyun's Decision to Keep the Diagnosis Private

In a recent interview on Leemujin Service, Woohyun expanded on the reasons behind his initial silence regarding the diagnosis.

He confessed that he kept it a secret to shield fans from worry and to avoid the discomfort of repeatedly addressing his illness.The decision to disclose the diagnosis only came after his surgery, allowing him time to recover.

READ ALSO: INFINITE Woohyun Confesses Battle With Rare Cancer + Updates on Health Status

The Unseen Struggle: Woohyun's Dedication to Career Amidst Recovery

Despite grappling with a then-secret battle, Woohyun remained committed to his career. Joining INFINITE for their first full-group comeback in five years in 2023, he avoided disrupting the planned schedules for his fellow members during his recovery.

6시에 최초공개되는 남우현 편!
명창 강아지 남우현 님이🐶💛
고음으로 찢어놓고 가신 이번 라이브 서비스 👍🏻🎤🎵
잠시 후에 만나요오오↗↗↗@NWH_officialtwt@IFNT_Official_@BPM_LMJ #남우현 #NAMWOOHYUN #인피니트 #INFINITE#이무진 #LEEMUJIN #리무진서비스https://t.co/5YAyykviHg pic.twitter.com/XgcOg0uxJ1

— 리무진서비스 (@mujin_plz) January 2, 2024

Additionally, against the advice of his company, he proceeded with his solo album release the same year, driven by a wealth of inspiration and the desire to meet the expectations of fans eagerly awaiting his return.

레드 가디건만큼이나 강렬했던
남우현 베이비 강아지 님의 라이브🔥❤
겨울 밤 흰 눈도 뜨겁게 녹여줄 목소리〰
역쉬 명창 강아띠다!👍🏻💛@NWH_officialtwt@IFNT_Official_#남우현 #NAMWOOHYUN #인피니트 #INFINITE #리무진서비스 pic.twitter.com/EzRuQaMaLp

— 리무진서비스 (@mujin_plz) January 4, 2024

Now on the path to recovery, Woohyun candidly shared that he is approximately 70% healed. Through his openness about his journey, he aims to provide solace and encouragement to others facing challenges, letting his music serve as a beacon of strength.

For a more in-depth discussion, watch the full interview with Woohyun below.

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Written by Cassidy Jones.