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Bbaek Ga (real name Baek Sung-hyun), a member of hip-hop group Koyote, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The 28-year-old rapper who has been performing alternative military service at a Seoul court since mid-October will apply for a medical discharge and undergo an operation, with a comprehensive medical checkup scheduled for Friday, his aides said Thursday. He started the alternative military service in mid-October.

"We are going to submit documents necessary for a medical discharge to the National Defense Ministry. He will soon be hospitalized after medical checkups on Dec. 11," an aide said.

Bbaek Ga was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of an adult's fist.

He posted a letter Wednesday on his mini-homepage to his fans and colleagues. "I've decided to muster strength as there are beloved people around me. I'm really thankful to those people."

His fans are visiting his mini-homepage to leave comments and messages to cheer him up and wish him an early recovery.

Bbaek Ga is also an avid fan of photography and has recently released a photo essay of his life: ``Talking to You.'' In the book, he said he was a loner as a boy, Baek dreamed of becoming a photographer. He was accepted at three universities to study photography but had to give up his dream because of poverty.

Making its debut in 1999, Koyote is a popular hip-hop group consisting of members Kim Jong Min, Shin Ji and Bbaek Ga.


cr:Korea Times