Shin Dong-wook, "Long struggle", "Feels like I've been trapped"

Actor and writer Shin Dong-wook had an interview.

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The "Soul Mate", "Cloud Staircase" and "War of Money" actor Shin Dong-wook was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome while he was in the military in 2010.

He claims he suffered from unimaginable pain, and during the interview after his photo shoot, he introduced his book , "I Write, 'Space Diary', The Korean Version of 'Martian'".

He said, "I depicted the things that happen in zero gravity and the things that may occur in the future in a realistic and scientific way. I also added the theory of parallel universe so it kind of seems like "Interstellar".

"I dealt with the concept of time and space like Carl Sagan and created a non-monotone system. There are lots of American humor here and there".

We asked what was most difficult about writing "Space Diary" and he said, "It was hard writing about the part where the main character is isolated by himself. I thought hard about expressing his psychological depiction and I decided to isolate myself".

"I turned off the phones and I only watched the news. I really thought at one point I was really in space. I only took walks at dawn when it was dark and I didn't contact anyone but my doctor".

About CRPS, he said, "I withheld the pan with pills and treatment can be done but the loneliness can't be cured. I didn't meet people for about 5~6 years. It was like I was locked up in a cell".

He claims he could recover thanks to his fans. They waited for him for the last 5~6 years with "Faith". "I promised them I would return and I kept it with the novel I wrote".

He wants to tell other CRPS patients that they musn't be scared. "Listening to those worrying and 'caring' about you makes you feel even worse and depressed. Don't listen to them and fight with the disease yourself".

"If the waterfall is happiness, it flows for a long time. There is a saying the moment the water falls is momentary joy. Withhold the hardships you have now to experience that momentary joy".

About his future plans, he said, "I have become much healthier. I want to return as an actor when the weather gets warm".

"I want to grow old with the support of those who like me and care for me. I want to be a writer and actor who is loved by everyone".

Meanwhile, Shin Dong-wook debuted in 2003 and starred in various dramas like "Soul Mate", "Cloud Staircase" and "War of Money". He joined the army in 2010 but was soon diagnosed with CRPS and had to be discharged.