Actors Cha Tae Hyun and Shin Seung Ho have revealed that they suffer from the rare condition known as “Achoo Syndrome,” also referred to as the photic sneeze reflex, which causes some people to sneeze when exposed to sudden bright light.
The revelation came during the latest episode of tvN’s variety series Handsome Guys, where Cha and Shin joined fellow cast members Kim Dong Hyun, Lee Yi Kyung, and Olympic fencer Oh Sang Uk for a food tour around Seoul’s trendy Mullae-dong district.
While strolling between restaurants, Shin sneezed without warning—prompting Cha to do the same moments later. “Hyung, do you always sneeze when you step into the sun?” Shin asked. Cha, laughing, confirmed that he did.
Curious, Shin turned to the rest of the group to ask if they’d ever experienced the same reaction. Lee and Oh both said no, prompting the actors to realize their condition might be more uncommon than they thought.
What Exactly Is Achoo Syndrome?
Also known as the photic sneeze reflex, the condition doesn’t result from any specific wavelength of light. Instead, it tends to be triggered by a sudden shift in brightness, like leaving a dark movie theater and stepping into bright daylight. While Shin joked that it must affect about half the population, Cha quickly corrected him: only about 20 percent of people are estimated to have it, according to studies.
Outside the variety show spotlight, Cha Tae Hyun recently took on a new role behind the scenes. He co-founded a talent management agency, Basecamp Company, alongside longtime friend and actor Jo In Sung. The agency’s growing roster already includes Cha, Jo, Jin Ki Joo, and Lim Ju Hwan.
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