K-pop soloist Evan, previously known as Heeseung of the boyband ENHYPEN, has revealed his past struggle with cancer. In an interview with Weverse Magazine, the 24-year-old singer recounted the symptoms that preceded his diagnosis and the emotional toll of his treatment during childhood.
Evan explained that his health issues began in fourth grade with persistent coughing. The condition escalated when he experienced severe breathlessness while playing soccer. A subsequent hospital visit revealed a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
"The treatment process wasn't easy," Evan stated, but he found motivation in his mother's unwavering care. He recalled participating in hospital talent shows, playing guitar and hosting events, despite not yet having the capacity to fully pursue his six-year-old dream of becoming a singer.
The experience was further compounded by the loss of fellow patients. "I'd watch my friends pass away and kept thinking, 'I want to live so badly, I want to go home,'" he shared, expressing profound relief at surviving treatment and returning to his life.
Returning to school presented new challenges. Evan noted a significant decrease in his energy levels and faced teasing due to his hair loss from chemotherapy, which was still growing back. While he formed friendships in middle school, he described his health journey as making him more introverted.
Evan, who left ENHYPEN earlier in 2026 to pursue a solo career, has recently channeled his experiences into his music. His lead single, "Death of Me," contains lyrics reflecting his brush with mortality. "When I sing on Death of Me, 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," he explained. "No matter how far down I went, I felt over and over that it was never really the end."
Evan made his solo debut in March and later released the single "Ride or Die."