Smoking is known to be highly prevalent in Korea despite efforts from the government and the media to curtail smoking. This is why cigarettes are blurred out on television as it is seen as a measure of protecting the youth from being influenced to smoke.

Below are 10 Korean celebrities who have made efforts to quit smoking for their own health and the health of the people around them.

Popular MC Yoo Jae Suk talked about quitting smoking on an episode of “Infinite Challenge” and said, “I noticed that it became harder and harder to breathe while doing chases.” Netizens praised Yoo Jae Suk for quitting smoking in order to perform better on “Infinite Challenge” and “Running Man.”

While appearing on MBC’s “We Got Married” with partner Kim So Yeon, Kwak Si Yang decided to quit smoking because Kim So Yeon asked him to.

Won Bin, who was famous for being a heavy smoker, quit while filming “Ajusshi” (also known as “The Man From Nowhere”). Apparently the actor quit out of concern about potentially inflicting co-star Kim Sae Ron with secondhand smoke. Kim Sae Ron was 10 years old at the time.

In order to embody his perfectionist character better on “I Need Romance 3,” Namgoong Min quit smoking. He revealed that he quit drinking and smoking at the drama’s press conference.

Haha quit smoking in 2013 during which he revealed how stressful it was on his Twitter account. His wife, Byul, responded, “Honey. Dream’s father! You can do it.”

Actor Shim Hyung Tak made an appearance on “Radio Star” in the past and stated, “I decided to quit smoking because it became difficult to breathe while exercising.” Also, he advised, “Try pretending to smoke by putting your fingers to your lips and inhaling sharply. It makes you feel much better.”

Jang Dong Gun smoked a pack a day before quitting after getting married. In an interview the actor commented, “I quit smoking for my health because I got a family and a baby.”

Eric recently decided to quit smoking and discussed this through Naver’s V App on April 28 while on the set of “Oh Hae Young Again.” He said, “I’ve quit smoking. It’s been two days. It doesn’t matter whether it’s been a day or two — I’ve quit smoking for good.”

In the past, actor Shin Hyun Joon once said, “I started chewing nicotine gum to quit smoking. However, I’ve been chewing nicotine gum for six years now.” Despite experiencing difficulties, the actor was able to successfully quit smoking and chewing nicotine gum.

10. Kang Ho Dong

On tvN’s “New Journey to the West,” Kang Ho Dong confessed that he quit smoking. He said, “I’m so happy now that I’ve quit smoking. It’s a whole new world.”

A pat on the back for everyone! Hopefully more people can be inspired and quit smoking to be healthier.

*Please note that while these individuals have once quit smoking, they may have relapsed.

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