As the pandemic continues to threaten billions of lives and livelihood around the world, affected countries struggle to flatten the curve to prevent high Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death rates—calling upon their best people to help the infected and also risking their lives for a greater cause.
“In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher… This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector – so every sector and every individual must be involved in the fight. I have said from the beginning that countries must take a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, built around a comprehensive strategy to prevent infections, save lives and minimize impact. -WHO Director-General (COVID-19 media briefing on 11 March 2020)
On March 11, tvN’s show “You Quiz on the Block” premiered its third season where Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho explored the struggles of a South Korean nurse named Jung Dae Rye, who volunteered to fight the COVID-19 outbreak at the frontlines.
Jung Dae Rye is a nurse from VHS Medical Center or Bohun Jungang Hospital in Seoul, who has been tirelessly working in Daegu, the city that has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea. The show is currently filming indoors and we see the hosts interviewing the nurse through a video call.
“I have always felt a sense of duty that whenever where or when, I should be the first to step up. When they asked me if I would come here, I did not think about myself at all when I said that I would go.” -Jung Dae Rye
During the interview, Jung Dae Rye shared that while the nurses have to work on shifts, the doctors have it worse by working 15 to 17 hour shifts. Hospital beds are full and there’s a nursing shortage. They also lack masks, gloves, and other medical necessities.
One of the hosts, Yoo Jae Suk looked very heartbroken upon hearing the situation and teared up when the nurse told her family that she’s alright and she doesn’t have any complaints. She said it with a smile which felt strange for Yoo Jae Suk, as he saw an unbelievable cheerfulness despite the hardships that the volunteer nurse is experiencing.
It has been reported that Yoo Jae Suk and many co-stars like Kim Joong Kook donated around 100M won to aid their country in the fight against COVID-19.
Jung Dae Rye noted that if a national crisis continues, it will spread overseas too.
Yoo Jae Suk then went on and expressed his gratitude and respect for everyone who volunteers and works hard to treat patients in times like this.
“We are on the front lines helping patients face-to-face and up close. We are doing our best.” -Jung Dae Rye
If you want to watch the full clip, please visit tvN on YouTube or click here.
＜유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭＞ 매주 (수) 밤 9시 tvN
kpopchannel.tv wishes all countries affected by the COVID-19 crisis to win this situation as soon as possible. We pray for everyone’s safety, strong mental and physical health.