Lee Sang Soon’s sudden disappearance from MBC FM4U’s A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon has now been explained, after days of uncertainty for listeners. The musician revealed that he has been undergoing medical examinations and consultations after suddenly becoming unwell, with doctors advising him to rest because of neurological symptoms associated with reduced vagus nerve function.

The situation is still developing. Lee said he is waiting for additional detailed examinations, while MBC Radio and his agency Antenna have both confirmed that his recovery is currently the priority. For now, there is no announced return date.

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Why did Lee Sang Soon suddenly stop hosting his MBC radio show?

The first signs that something was wrong appeared on August 26, when Lee Sang Soon was unable to start A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon at its scheduled time.

Regular guest Thomas Cook initially stepped in to handle the broadcast. Lee eventually made it to the studio shortly before the programme ended, explaining that although he had been at MBC, he had needed to rest in the medical room because he was not feeling well.

He also apologised to listeners for arriving late.

What initially looked like a brief health issue, however, developed into a longer absence.

From August 27, Lee began taking time away from the live broadcasts. A prerecorded episode aired on August 29, but Lee did not return to live hosting afterward. Thomas Cook and other special DJs subsequently helped keep the programme on air.

For several days, listeners were left without a clear explanation of what had happened.

That changed on September 6, when Lee personally addressed the situation.

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Lee Sang Soon breaks his silence after days away from the radio

Lee apologised for taking a break without immediately explaining why he had disappeared from the programme.

He said he had suddenly felt unwell the previous Wednesday and had since undergone various examinations and consultations. However, his medical evaluation is not finished yet, with further detailed testing still pending.

The musician explained:

“제가 며칠째 라디오 진행을 하지 못하고 있어 많은 분들이 걱정해 주셨는데요. 아무런 설명 없이 라디오 진행을 쉬게 된 점, 청취자분들께 죄송하다는 말씀을 드립니다.”

Lee then provided the key detail behind his absence, saying that medical professionals had identified neurological symptoms associated with reduced vagus nerve function and had recommended that he take time to stabilise and recover.

“지난주 수요일 갑자기 컨디션이 좋지 않아 라디오 진행이 어려웠고, 그 후 여러 가지 검사와 상담을 진행했습니다. 아직 조금 더 정밀한 검사를 기다리고 있는 상황이지만, ‘미주신경 기능 저하’라는 신경계 증상으로 안정이 필요하다는 의료진의 권유에 따라 부득이하게 라디오를 쉬고 안정을 취하고 있습니다.”

That statement explains why the absence has lasted longer than initially expected — but it also makes clear that Lee’s medical situation should not be treated as completely resolved or fully diagnosed yet.

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What did Lee Sang Soon say about his recovery?

Rather than rushing back to the microphone, Lee said he had been advised that sufficient rest could allow his condition to gradually improve.

That appears to have influenced his decision to use the unexpected break to focus properly on his health.

“충분히 안정을 취하며 쉬면 서서히 회복될 수 있다고 하니, 이번 기회에 충분한 시간을 갖고 좀 더 확실하게 건강을 회복해서 돌아가겠습니다.”

There is also an important reason why Lee did not explain everything earlier.

He said that because he himself did not know when he would recover, he repeatedly hoped he might simply feel well enough to return the following day.

“많은 분들이 걱정해 주셨는데, 저도 언제 회복될지 모르는 상황이라 ‘내일이라도 괜찮으면 다시 진행해야지, 해야지’ 하다가 이렇게 글이 늦어졌습니다.”

That detail gives some context to the silence surrounding his absence. Rather than having a confirmed recovery timeline and deliberately withholding it, Lee said he was himself uncertain about when he would be able to return.

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Lee Sang Soon plans to check his overall health before returning

Lee also indicated that this break will give him an opportunity to take a broader look at his health instead of simply waiting until he feels good enough to work again.

He said:

“이번 기회에 전체적인 몸 상태도 꼼꼼하게 체크하고, 컨디션도 확실히 회복해서 건강한 모습으로 여러분께 돌아가겠습니다. ^^”

His message ended on a reassuring note, with Lee asking listeners not to worry excessively while he rests and recovers.

“너무 걱정하지 마시고, 저도 잘 쉬면서 회복하고 있을 테니 조금만 기다려주세요.”

And he closed with:

“좋은 모습으로 곧 만나요. 감사합니다.”

So while Lee has expressed his intention to return, he has not announced a specific comeback date.

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Lee Sang Soon health update: What has been officially confirmed?

Date	Official development
August 26, 2026	Lee suddenly became unwell and could not begin A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon as scheduled.
August 26	Thomas Cook initially took over the broadcast; Lee later appeared at the studio after resting in the medical room.
August 27 onward	Lee began taking time away from live radio broadcasts.
August 29	A prerecorded episode aired while Lee remained away from live broadcasting.
September 6	Lee personally explained his absence and disclosed that he had experienced neurological symptoms associated with reduced vagus nerve function.
September 8	His medical evaluation remains ongoing, with additional detailed examinations pending and no specific return date announced.

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MBC Radio confirms Lee Sang Soon is still awaiting further examinations

MBC Radio has separately confirmed that Lee became unwell on August 26 and subsequently underwent various examinations and consultations.

According to the broadcaster, neurological symptoms associated with reduced vagus nerve function were identified during that process. Medical staff recommended that Lee get sufficient rest and concentrate on his recovery.

MBC has therefore chosen not to pressure him into returning before he is ready.

Instead, A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon is continuing under a special-DJ system while he recovers.

The production team said:

“이상순 DJ의 회복을 우선해 스페셜 DJ 체제로 방송을 이어가며, 이상순 DJ가 빠른 시일 내 청취자들과 다시 만날 수 있기를 기대하고 있다.”

MBC’s official radio page has likewise reassured listeners that Lee is taking a temporary break to focus on recovering his condition.

The programme is currently continuing with special DJ Thomas Cook during Lee’s absence.

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Antenna confirms Lee Sang Soon received hospital treatment

Lee’s agency, Antenna, has also addressed the situation.

The agency confirmed that Lee recently received hospital treatment following a sudden deterioration in his condition. Medical professionals advised him to rest because of reduced vagus nerve function, leading to his temporary withdrawal from his radio responsibilities.

Antenna said it will actively support Lee so that he can focus fully on recovering.

His future schedule will also be adjusted flexibly depending on his overall condition.

The agency expressed hope that Lee will eventually be able to return and greet the public in good health.

However, one point remains particularly important: Lee is still waiting for additional detailed examinations.

That means the information currently available describes the neurological symptoms identified during his medical evaluation, rather than providing a final explanation for every aspect of his health.

Reports have also cautioned against automatically equating “reduced vagus nerve function” with vasovagal syncope, because the two should not be treated as identical conditions.

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When will Lee Sang Soon return to ‘A Perfect Day’?

For fans and regular listeners, this is probably the biggest unanswered question.

The simple answer is that there is currently no specific return date.

Lee has said that he wants to take enough time to properly recover, while MBC has made clear that his health comes before immediately restoring the programme to its normal hosting arrangement.

The show itself is continuing, meaning listeners can still tune in while Lee is away. But his return will depend on his recovery and the results of his ongoing medical evaluation.

Lee has hosted MBC FM4U’s A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon since its launch in November 2024. The programme airs daily from 4 PM to 6 PM, focusing on music, everyday stories and Lee’s relaxed style of communication with listeners.

For now, however, that familiar voice is temporarily missing from the live studio.

Lee Sang Soon’s radio absence remains a developing health story

Lee’s September 6 message finally answered the question that had been hanging over his repeated absences since August 26, but it did not close the story completely.

He has explained that he suddenly became unwell, underwent examinations and consultations, experienced neurological symptoms associated with reduced vagus nerve function, and was advised by medical professionals to rest.

At the same time, additional detailed examinations are still pending.

That distinction matters. There is currently no basis for assuming a more specific diagnosis than what Lee, MBC Radio and Antenna have officially disclosed.

For now, Lee is stepping back from A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon to concentrate on rest, further medical evaluation and recovery. MBC is keeping the programme running with special DJs, while Lee has promised to return once he has properly restored his condition.

His message to listeners was ultimately simple: he is resting, he is recovering, and he wants them to wait a little longer.

Disclaimer and sources

This article is based on a thorough review of statements released by Lee Sang Soon, MBC Radio and his agency Antenna, alongside relevant reporting available as of September 8, 2026. Lee’s medical evaluation remains ongoing. No additional diagnosis, prognosis or specific return date should be inferred beyond what has been officially disclosed. The distinction between reduced vagus nerve function and vasovagal syncope has also been preserved, as these should not automatically be treated as the same condition.

Sources

• MBC / iMBC — Lee Sang Soon explains his radio absence and health condition
• MBC / iMBC — ‘A Perfect Day’ to continue with special DJs during Lee’s recovery
• MBC Radio — Official ‘A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon’ program page
• MBC / iMBC — Lee Sang Soon’s original appointment as ‘A Perfect Day’ DJ
• StarNews — Antenna confirms Lee’s temporary radio hiatus and recovery plan
• Sports Kyunghyang — Lee Sang Soon’s full explanation of his radio absence

Featured Image Credit: Lee Sang-soon on Instagram