Ryu Seung-soo reveals health struggle: ‘I underwent kidney stone surgery twice’

Ryu Seung-soo turned a personal health ordeal into an unexpectedly competitive television conversation about urology. Appearing on MBC’s “Radio Star,” the actor revealed that kidney stones had led to two major surgeries and 20 extracorporeal shock-wave treatments.

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I underwent two major surgeries for kidney stones and 20 extracorporeal shock-wave treatments.

Ryu said his latest treatment took place in April, following another treatment nine months earlier. Because he lives with the condition, he added, he tries to raise awareness about it. He currently serves as an ambassador for three organizations or facilities connected to urology, orthopedics and health screening.

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Because I have this disease, I try to raise awareness about it.

The discussion took a comic turn when Kim Gu-ra began showing off his own knowledge of urology. Kim asked Ryu whether he knew about a condition he referred to as “yukjuhwa,” then explained that straining while urinating could cause bladder muscles to develop and reduce elasticity.

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The bladder can store up to 1.5 liters of urine.

Ryu responded by asking how much urine the bladder could hold. Kim said up to 1.5 liters, but Ryu countered that such a volume could rupture the bladder and said people feel the urge to urinate once the amount exceeds 350 milliliters. After the disagreement continued, the cast searched for the answer. Yoo Se-yoon confirmed that Ryu’s claim was correct, prompting him to joke that it was the first bladder contest in variety-show history. Kim replied that they should have another contest.

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You feel the urge to urinate once it exceeds 350 milliliters.