K-pop star reveals battle with cancer as he discusses brutal symptoms before diagnosis: 'I wanted to live so badly'

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 11:48 EDT, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 12:17 EDT, 7 September 2026 K-pop soloist Evan has opened up about his childhood battle with cancer as well as the brutal symptoms that led to his diagnosis.The singer, formerly known as Heeseung of the boyband ENHYPEN, sat down with Weverse Magazine to discuss his ordeal.Evan, 24, explained that he was in fourth grade when the shock diagnosis came.'I kept coughing, and at first I just figured it was a cold and didn't think much of it, but then when I was playing soccer, I took four or five steps and suddenly couldn't breathe. 'I found out at the hospital later that it was cancer,' he told the outlet.Evan was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma, a type of cancer that begins in the infection-fighting white blood cells within the body's lymphatic system but can spread, according to Mayo Clinic. He admitted that the 'treatment process wasn't easy.''But when I saw how my mom took care of me nonstop, I wanted to put on a brave face for her,' the star, whose real name is Lee Hee-seung, shared. K-pop star Evan has opened up about his childhood battle with cancer as well as the brutal symptoms the led to his diagnosisThe youngster would often participate in patient talent shows at the hospital, playing the guitar and sometimes even assuming the role of host. 'I dreamed of being a singer ever since I was six, but to be honest, back then I didn't really have the mental bandwidth to even think about that,' Evan said.Heartbreakingly, the South Korean singer also shared that many of his fellow patients lost their lives.'I'd watch my friends pass away and kept thinking, "I want to live so badly, I want to go home." Thankfully I made it through treatment and got to go on with my life,' he recalled.However, leaving hospital and returning to school brought its own issues, as Evan admitted he struggled to fit in. 'I had a lot less energy, and since my hair was still growing back from chemo, I got teased a lot for it,' he shared. Evan made 'good friends' in middle school but admitted that his health journey had made him more of an introvert and less outgoing. He explained that he has not previously discussed his cancer battle since becoming a singer. The singer, formerly known as Heeseung (second from left) of boyband ENHYPEN, sat down with Weverse Magazine to discuss his ordeal Evan was part of the beloved boyband ENHYPEN from 2020 to 2026 before departing the group to go solo'I haven't thought about that in a long time. It hurts to bring it back up,' he admitted. The worldwide sensation has since channeled his experience through his songs, citing several lyrics that referenced his health journey. 'When I sing on Death of Me, the lead single, 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. 'No matter how far down I went, I felt over and over that it was never really the end.'Evan was part of the beloved boyband ENHYPEN from 2020 to 2026. He departed the group earlier this year before making his solo debut in March and later releasing the single Ride or Die.LABOR DAY OFFER: Save 50% on DailyMail+ and get your first month free