The South Korean star, Park So Dam who rose to fame internationally and at home after starring in the first non-English Oscar-winning film in the best picture category is diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.
As per Park’s agency, Artist Company, the 30 year old star went for a regular check-up when the diagnosis was made. After which she went through the surgery and it was successful.
According to the UK’s National Health Services (NHS), papillary thyroid cancer is one of the most common types of thyroid cancers and it can occur in people who are under 40, mostly in women. However, this cancer is the easiest to cure and treat.
As per the NHS website, “Around 9 in every 10 people are alive 5 years after a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Many of these are cured and will have a normal lifespan.”
Park’s new diagnosis has caused a hurdle in her work. She was up to promote her next film, ” Special delivery,” but due to her health, she won’t be able to go for it and the actor is “very disappointed” about it, revealed Park’s agency in the statement to CNN.
“The company would like to once again thank all the people for showing support for ‘Special Delivery’ and actress Park So Dam, as well as the actors and crew of ‘Special Delivery’ overcoming this difficult time together,” ArtistCOmpany said in the statement.
It further added, “Actor Park So Dam will focus on her recovery so that she can see you all healthy in the future, and Artist Company will also do our best to help the actor recover her health.”
Before rising to fame, Park had appeared in a number of South Korean movies and TV series. The titles in which she started include, “The Priests” and “The Silenced,” both are releases of 2015.
However, it was Bong Joon Ho’s “The Parasite” that made Park famous not only at home but on a global scale.
In this film, Park essayed a young girl, Kim Ki Jung who masqueraded as an art therapist to get the job of teaching children from rich families to support herself.
The strong storyline of the film bagged it Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2020 and made it the first non-English language film to win at Oscars in this category.
