In October, SNSD's Sooyoung (along with Super Junior's Siwon and Shin Se Kyung) visited former basketball coach and Lou Gehrig patient Park Seung Il. During her appearance on the most recent episode of 'Strong Heart', Sooyoung revealed a touching story related to the basketball star, and the impact of the visit. She explained,
"Basketball player Park Seung Il has had Lou Gehrig's disease for the past 8 years. I heard he liked SNSD, so I went to see him. The disease had advanced to such a state that he could only move his eyelids. He started fluttering his eyelashes when we went, and his girlfriend said that it was him showing a cute hidden talent. His girlfriend is currently looking after him by herself." "For her, Park Seung Il was her first love. However, the two had a twisted fate. In the end, Park Seung Il married a different woman and wanted to become a basketball coach, so he went to study abroad. Once he became sick, however, he decided to divorce his wife to let her go."
"His girlfriend heard rumors about his ill health when he came out on TV saying that he was quitting coaching. When they reunited, he was already lying in the hospital bed. But he asked 'Can you stay with me?', and she agreed. He hasn't been able to move since. It's been five years." "After seeing their love, I began to think that love was devotion. They never lose hope. He always says that when he gets up, he'll marry her."After reflecting on the story, Sooyoung thanked the basketball star: "When I see him, I became comforted, so I want to thank him. He says he's thankful to me, but I'm more thankful to him." Source: Newsen via Nate
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