Jo Min-sang climbs back to the ropes after a cancer scare

A Life-or-Death Struggle with 20cm Rectal Resection Surgery

Former child actor Jo Min-sang has shared an update on his life as a circus artist. Appearing on MBN's 'Scoop World' on the 23rd, he revealed his past battle with a suspected cancerous tumor that required the resection of 20cm of his rectum, as well as the process of overcoming this ordeal to stand on stage once again.

The incident occurred during practice. While practicing the 'back flag' pose—hanging from a rope with only one arm in mid-air—he suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed. At the time, Jo Min-sang believed he had descended the rope safely on his own, but in reality, he had let go of the rope, fallen backward, and immediately suffered a seizure. Following this accident, he visited the hospital and received the shocking diagnosis that two lumps with a high possibility of malignant metastasis were found in the lower rectal area.

Ultimately, at the age of 27, he underwent major surgery to remove 20cm of his rectum. During the surgery, the bleeding and physical strain were so extreme that he required 7 packs of blood transfusions. However, immediately after being discharged, he ignored medical advice to rest and returned to performance sites. Jo Min-sang expressed his determination for his life on stage, stating, "If I hadn't been doing circus, I wouldn't have been able to endure."

Extreme Training to Maintain Muscle Strength and Fear of Health Issues

Currently, Jo Min-sang is devoted to training, repeatedly practicing movements like walking through the air while hanging from ropes in the mountains. He is so immersed in his training that even during walks, if he sees something to hang from, he commits his body to it, or uses roadside benches like exercise equipment. This is due to the fear that if he loses even a little muscle strength, he might lose his health again.

Jo Min-sang confessed, "The more my skills improve, the more afraid I become." As his technical skills increase, he feels firsthand that if he lacks the muscle strength to support them, he could collapse at any time. To maintain his strength, he continues his battle with health by pushing himself to the limit every day.

Identity as an Acting Major and Family Concerns

Jo Min-sang's path is a source of great concern for his family. Since he majored in acting at university, his parents worry about the dangers of the circus profession. During the broadcast, Jo Min-sang's mother expressed concern for her son's health, asking, "It is dangerous and physically demanding, so you likely cannot keep doing circus into old age."

While respecting her son's choice, his mother revealed her hope that circus would be a stepping stone for his acting. While understanding his parents' worries, Jo Min-sang continues to forge his own path, maintaining his interest in musical theater and acting activities.