Singer Lee Sang-soon's decision to step away from his radio show over what he described as "vagus nerve dysfunction" has drawn public attention to health conditions involving the nerve. Other celebrities, including HyunA and TWICE's Chaeyoung, have previously spoken about experiencing vasovagal syncope, a form of fainting.

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, running from the brainstem to the abdomen, and helps regulate involuntary functions including heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. Because of this wide-ranging role, disturbances involving the nerve can produce symptoms such as dizziness, fainting and digestive discomfort.

The singer and radio show host explained his recent absence in a social media post on Sunday.

"I'm sorry to listeners for taking time off from the radio show without any explanation," he wrote. "I suddenly felt unwell last Wednesday and couldn't host the show. Since then, I've undergone various tests and consultations."

Lee said he is still awaiting further testing but has been advised by his doctors to rest because of the neurological issue. Although the timeline for his recovery remains unclear, he plans to focus on recuperating for now, following his doctors' advice that the condition could improve gradually with sufficient rest.

"Since I don't know when I'll recover, I kept thinking, 'If I feel better tomorrow, I should get back to hosting.' That's why it took me so long to write this," Lee said. "I'll take this opportunity to give myself enough time to recover properly before returning. Please don't worry too much. I'll be resting and recovering, so please bear with me a little longer."

Lee had previously shown signs of ill health during the Aug. 26 live broadcast of his MBC FM4U radio show, "A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon." Feeling unwell, he rested in the infirmary and returned to the studio with only about 20 minutes remaining in the broadcast. His continued absence from subsequent live broadcasts had prompted concern about his health.

His disclosure has also renewed attention to other celebrities who have experienced vasovagal syncope. Such disclosures have previously prompted wider discussion in the entertainment industry, where demanding schedules and public appearances are common, about performers managing health conditions while continuing their careers.

Among them is HyunA, who previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with the condition after also experiencing depression and panic disorder.

"At first, my vision went blurry, and then I just collapsed. It happened several times," she previously recalled. "I was going to brush it off as another symptom of panic disorder, but on my doctor's advice, I went to a university hospital for various tests, including an EEG. That's when I learned there was a condition called vasovagal syncope."

More recently, HyunA collapsed onstage again during a performance, alarming fans.

TWICE's Chaeyoung also temporarily suspended her activities last year after being diagnosed with vasovagal syncope.

Actor Kim Jung-nan has spoken about losing consciousness and hitting her chin on a bedside table, saying, "I nearly died after fainting."

Vasovagal syncope occurs when the nervous system overreacts to triggers such as intense physical or emotional stress, causing blood pressure and sometimes heart rate to drop. This temporarily reduces blood flow to the brain, leading to a loss of consciousness. Warning signs can include dizziness, cold sweats, nausea and blurred vision. It is one of the most common causes of fainting, and episodes are typically brief, though injuries can occur during a collapse.

Medical evaluation is important, particularly when fainting recurs, to rule out other heart or neurological conditions.

With Lee still awaiting further testing, the timing of his return to broadcasting will depend on his recovery. His agency, Antenna, said it would "provide full support so the artist can focus entirely on recovering" and adjust his upcoming schedule accordingly.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/others/20260908/the-nerve-conditions-that-affected-lee-sang-soon-hyuna-and-twices-chaeyoung).