Lee Soo Ji to Undergo Vocal Cord Surgery as Agency Confirms Recovery Plan

Comedian and broadcaster Lee Soo Ji is preparing to step back briefly for medical treatment after being diagnosed with vocal cord nodules, her agency CP Entertainment has confirmed. The company said Lee will undergo surgery and follow-up care after receiving medical advice, but viewers are not expected to see a major interruption to her current appearances because several projects were recorded in advance.

The update, first shared by Korean entertainment outlets and reported internationally on July 15, frames the procedure as a planned recovery measure rather than an emergency. CP Entertainment said Lee recently received the diagnosis and chose surgery after consultation with doctors. The agency also emphasized that her condition was not described as severe, while noting that treatment was recommended because of the demands placed on her voice over a long period.

A Planned Pause For Treatment

For a performer like Lee, the issue is closely tied to the nature of her work. Her public image has been built around quick comic timing, expressive delivery, and character-based performances that often require changes in tone, volume, and rhythm. That kind of regular voice use can be central to variety programs, sketch comedy, YouTube shoots, drama work, and live production schedules, making a medically guided pause significant even when the underlying condition is manageable.

CP Entertainment said Lee plans to return to activities after sufficient recovery time. The agency also stated that it would support her rehabilitation, signaling that the current priority is allowing her voice to heal properly before she resumes a normal pace. No detailed surgical timetable was included in the public update, and the agency did not announce a broad cancellation of her existing work.

Lee is currently connected to SBS’s variety program Uh, But Like, Seriously!, and the agency said enough episodes have already been filmed for the show to continue airing. Her YouTube channel Hot Issue Ji, which has drawn a large subscriber base, is also expected to continue releasing prepared content while she recovers. That advance production gives the entertainer room to focus on treatment without immediately disappearing from platforms where audiences regularly follow her.

Why Vocal Cord Nodules Matter

Vocal cord nodules are generally associated with repeated strain or heavy voice use. They can cause hoarseness, fatigue, discomfort, or changes in vocal control, all of which can be especially disruptive for entertainers who rely on speech and vocal expression. Treatment can vary depending on severity and duration, ranging from rest and therapy to surgery when doctors determine that a more direct intervention is needed.

Lee’s case has drawn attention partly because her voice is not a background part of her career; it is one of her main tools. Since debuting as an SBS open-recruitment comedian in 2008, she has built a profile across sketch comedy, television variety, digital content, and acting. Her credits have included programs such as Gag Concert, SNL Korea, Office Workers, and Sisters’ Cafe, helping establish her as one of South Korea’s recognizable comic performers.

Recent recognition has also kept Lee in the public eye. She received female variety honors at major Korean entertainment award ceremonies last year, including the Blue Dragon Series Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards. Those wins reflected the breadth of her work at a time when Korean comedy performers increasingly move between broadcast television, streaming platforms, YouTube formats, and scripted projects.

Upcoming Work Remains On The Calendar

Beyond her variety and online content, Lee is also attached to ENA’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama New Recruit Season 4, which is scheduled to premiere on August 24. The agency’s current comments suggest that her recovery plan has been arranged with existing commitments in mind, although future public appearances may still depend on medical progress and the pace at which she can safely resume using her voice.

The announcement has been received as a reminder of the physical demands behind entertainment work, particularly for performers whose careers depend on sustained vocal output. For Lee Soo Ji, the immediate message from her agency is measured: surgery is ahead, recovery time will follow, and prerecorded programming should help keep her visible while she focuses on returning in good health.