[Edaily Starin JOO MEE_HEE Reporter] Actress Jeon Won-ju revealed that she has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and opened up about the difficulties she is facing due to memory loss.

Jeon Won-ju appeared on the MBN variety show “Unforgettable Duet 2,” which premiered on the 31st of last month, where she reflected on her long-standing friendship with actress Kim Hyung-ja—her friend of 55 years—and performed a duet with her.
During the episode, while sharing memories from the past with Jeon Won-ju, Kim Hyung-ja asked if she remembered a recent encounter they’d had. However, Jeon Won-ju couldn’t recall the situation and laughed awkwardly, saying, “I can’t quite remember.”
Kim Hyung-ja then brought up another occasion when the two had met—specifically, when actor Kim Seong-hwan, a close friend of theirs, received an honorary doctorate. But Jeon Won-ju struggled to recall that memory as well.
Recalling the incident where Jeon Won-ju hadn’t recognized her right away, Kim Hyung-ja expressed concern, saying, “I heard she has mild cognitive impairment, and I wondered if that was really the case.”
In response, Jeon Won-ju explained her changed condition, saying, “I don’t recognize people right away. My mind doesn’t work as well as it used to.”
She continued, “I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment a few years ago,” adding, “I can’t even remember people I met just recently—my memory has deteriorated. It feels like my memories are getting fainter and fainter.”
Even to Kim Hyung-ja, who has been friends with Jeon Won-ju for many years, her friend’s changes felt unfamiliar.
Kim Hyung-ja recalled, “My older sister has always been cheerful and talkative, so I never imagined this would happen,” adding, “Once, when we met, she repeated the phrase, ‘Why are there so many people here?’ about 20 times.”
She continued, “Seeing her repeat the same thing far more often than usual, I worried that she might be experiencing cognitive decline,” adding, “I was really at a loss about how to help her.”
The two reminisced about their days filming dramas together over dinner. Kim Hyung-ja said, “Back then, didn’t we meet several times a week while filming the drama?” and asked if she could still memorize long lines.
Jeon Won-ju replied, “I don’t remember things as well as I used to,” adding, “As I get older, my mind doesn’t work as quickly as it used to. Sometimes I have to think for a while to figure out who someone is, even if I just met them a moment ago.”
Jeon Won-ju had previously revealed on another broadcast that she had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
Mild cognitive impairment refers to a condition in which cognitive functions—such as memory and attention—have declined compared to before, but the ability to carry out daily activities is generally maintained. While it may progress to dementia in some patients, requiring ongoing observation and management, mild cognitive impairment does not necessarily lead to dementia.