Lee Kyung-kyu, advised to undergo early dementia screening, says “I will drastically reduce my alcohol consumption”

Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu directly revealed that he was advised by a neurologist to undergo an early dementia screening in relation to recent rumors regarding his health issues. In a video released on the YouTube channel 'God Kyung-kyu' on the 23rd, Lee Kyung-kyu consulted with a specialist on the topic of preventing brain diseases, candidly disclosing his health status.

As netizens' concerns grew regarding Lee Kyung-kyu's recent slurred speech, he jokingly responded, "Since I've been on television for so long, there are times when I do things half-heartedly, so it might have looked that way." In May, rumors of health issues were also raised regarding his tone and facial expressions in a YouTube video, but his agency explained at the time that "he was simply not in good condition due to consecutive heavy filming sessions, but there are no issues with his health."

History of Angina Stent Procedure and Concerns over Brain Health

Lee Kyung-kyu also confessed in detail about his past struggle with heart disease. He revealed his cardiac history, stating, "My coronary arteries were blocked, so I developed angina, and I had a stent placed in my chest." He went on to explain the background of planning this brain health content, saying, "Because of that, I felt that the brain disease area is not a safe zone either."

In the video, Lee Kyung-kyu met with a neurologist to ask questions about brain health issues that middle-aged and elderly people may experience and to check his own condition. In particular, mentioning his family history of his father fighting dementia for a long time, he also sought advice from the specialist regarding the influence of parental medical history on children.

Short-term Memory Loss and Confirmation of Early Dementia Symptoms

During the consultation, Lee Kyung-kyu showed actual symptoms of forgetfulness. Mentioning the "difficulty in finding the right words," which is a characteristic of "Stage 2: Forgetfulness Stage" among the "7 stages from normal to dementia," he said, "I used to find things quickly, but lately, it has declined slightly." In fact, he struggled for quite a while to recall the lunch menu he ate an hour ago.

The specialist warned, "A decline in short-term memory can be the first sign of early dementia symptoms." The explanation was that because information is not being properly input, one ends up repeating the same questions. Lee Kyung-kyu also admitted to the symptoms he experiences daily, saying, "People at home ask me why I keep asking the same things." Furthermore, when asked for today's date, he showed confusion between the year and the date by answering, "It's the year 2026, right?"

After checking Lee Kyung-kyu's condition, the specialist gave him a score of about 6 to 7 out of 10. He then recommended a detailed examination, saying, "Wouldn't it be good to undergo an early dementia screening?" Lee Kyung-kyu accepted the necessity of health management, saying, "I should get a checkup. It seems like something I cannot escape."

Resolution to Abstain from Alcohol and Future Health Management Plans

Lee Kyung-kyu announced changes to his lifestyle. Recalling his experience of quitting smoking in the past, he said, "I wondered what joy I would live for if I quit smoking, but it seems there are other joys in their own way. You shouldn't cling too much to just that (quitting smoking)."

He admitted that he has not yet been able to quit alcohol. The specialist advised that total abstinence is best if possible, and if he does drink, to limit it to once or twice a month and less than half a bottle of soju. In response, Lee Kyung-kyu expressed his will to abstain from alcohol, saying, "I am thinking of drastically reducing my alcohol consumption to once or twice a month," and added that he would combine this with continuous exercise. He vowed to practice thorough self-management, stating, "Losing your health is like losing everything."

Meanwhile, in June last year, Lee Kyung-kyu received a summary order for a fine on charges of driving under the influence of drugs. At the time, his agency expressed remorse, stating that the incident occurred while he was moving for hospital treatment after taking medication for panic disorder and a body ache/cold.