Unforgettable Duet 2's Jeon Won-joo reveals diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: "I cannot recognize people quickly"

Actress Jeon Won-joo revealed that she was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment through the MBN music variety show ″Unforgettable Duet 2.″ Jeon Won-joo recently confessed that she has been experiencing memory decline and difficulty recognizing people. On the first episode of ″Unforgettable Duet 2,″ which aired on the 31st, Jeon Won-joo prepared a duet stage with her longtime friend of 55 years, actress Kim Hyung-ja. During the broadcast, Jeon Won-joo looked back on memories while viewing old photos but showed signs of not remembering specific situations or even recent meetings. When Kim Hyung-ja and singer Lee Moo-song explained the situation on-site to help her recall, Jeon briefly regained her memory but soon forgot again. Lee Moo-song introduced Jeon Won-joo as a longtime friend who had been with his mother for 70 years. He shared a special relationship, saying, ″When I was young, Aunt Jeon Won-joo carried me on her back and raised me.″ He also mentioned an episode when Jeon Won-joo visited the set to congratulate him during the recording of the drama ″The Jujube Tree Got Love″ despite winning the Golden Cup on ″Gayo Top 10″ in 1993 with the song ″What Is Life.″ Jeon Won-joo personally explained her health condition, saying, ″These days, I cannot recognize people quickly. I met someone recently, but I don’t remember well. My memory is gradually declining.″ She added, ″I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a pre-dementia stage.″ She shared her reason for appearing on the show, saying, ″I was scared and anxious, worried that I might forget my past life and precious people. But I realized I wanted to leave the current me with my loved ones. I wanted to deeply cherish the memories I have now.″ She also expressed her determination, saying, ″Jeon Won-joo is not dead yet; this is just the beginning.″ The broadcast also showed Jeon Won-joo visiting her alma mater, Sookmyung Women’s University, reminiscing about her college days and recalling memories with her mother. She reviewed her school days by checking her graduation certificate and transcript. Jeon debuted as a voice actor and transitioned to acting in 1972. She has worked in various productions such as ″Cheongsil Hongsil,″ ″Hey, Gomrye,″ ″Yearning,″ ″The Shackles of Love,″ ″When Flowers Bloom and Birds Sing,″ ″Seoul Earthenware Pot,″ ″The Jujube Tree Got Love,″ ″TV Grandson’s Art of War,″ ″I Need a Fairy,″ and ″Hyoshim’s Survival.″ ″Unforgettable Duet 2″ is a music variety show where families who are losing memories due to dementia perform duet stages with their life songs. Kim Ju-ha and Son Tae Jin serve as MCs, and Cho Hye-ryeon and Yoon Bo Mi appear as panelists. The first episode aired at 9:20 PM on the 31st.