The comedian Lee Seung-yoon revealed the story of being stung by a giant hornet and being transported to the emergency room during the filming of ‘I Am a Natural Person’.
On the MBC broadcast of ‘Masked Singer’ on the 12th, Lee Seung-yoon said, “There are often thrilling incidents when filming in nature,” and confessed, “There was a time when I almost died.”
He recalled, “I was stung by a giant hornet during filming. Its venom is tens of times stronger than that of ordinary bees,” and added, “[At that time,] I just continued filming, but the natural person told me to go down quickly because it was a giant hornet.”
He continued, “While descending the mountain, my tongue started to swell, and I had difficulty breathing. While riding the car with the manager, I slowly lost consciousness, and thoughts of my family came to mind first. I saw that there were 989 meters left, and thought ‘I’m almost there’ but then I lost consciousness,” he said.
Lee Seung-yoon said, “When I opened my eyes, I had an oxygen hose inserted,” and added, “At that time, I thought I had to live more diligently. I regretted not enjoying the fish head the natural person gave me and not giving that look. That incident made me cherish life even more.”
3,664 bee sting incidents over four years… 13 deaths
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, from 2020 to 2024, there were 3,664 bee sting incidents in Korea, resulting in 13 deaths. In July of this year, a worker in his 60s was stung by a hornet during weeding in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, and died.
The giant hornet, distributed throughout Korea, is one of the largest hornet species in the world. Typically, its body length ranges from 30~45mm, with queens exceeding 50mm.
The neurotoxin ‘mandaratoxin’ they possess causes pain and paralysis in the human body, and in those with allergic constitutions, it can lead to anaphylaxis. Unlike honeybees, a single hornet can sting multiple times, making them deadly.
Experts advise that understanding the behavioral characteristics of hornets can reduce incidents. In a recent article in the nonprofit science media ‘The Conversation’, Seirian Sumner, Professor of Behavioral Ecology at University College London (UCL), stated, “Hornets can misunderstand the carbon dioxide emitted by humans as a predatory attack signal,” and advised, “If hornets are nearby, keep your mouth closed and avoid taking big breaths.”
Perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray can also provide similar stimuli, so it’s best to avoid using them during outdoor activities. Also, since hornets show aggression toward dark colors, it’s recommended to wear bright clothing and cover dark hair with a hat.
Swatting with hands or making sudden movements is prohibited as they can perceive vibrations as threats and may attack.
