INFINITE’s Nam Woo-hyun on Tuesday, Nov. 28, dropped his first solo full-length album after battling with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

"GIST is an extremely rare form of cancer, which is known to affect only 10 out of 1 million people. In my case, the urgency of surgery was non-negotiable, so I quickly held my fan events and performances in January and February before undergoing surgery," Nam told reporters, according to a translation from The Korea Times.

The INFINITE member said he failed to oversee the gravity of his surgery, only realizing its weight afterward.

"I later realized that the scale was more extensive than I had thought," he recalled. "After the surgery, I had to refrain from drinking water for almost three weeks and got a 20-centimeter scar on my stomach. I even had to attach a blood bag,” he added.

Nam noted that despite the pain, he was uplifted during his hospital stay due to the encouragement he received from people.

"In addition to the support from my parents, the elderly whom I encountered at the hospital offered tremendous encouragement to me," he said. "The nurses, in their caring manner, also inspired me to recover, release new music, and pursue my passion as a singer."

The 32-year-old singer said he felt “reborn” after the surgery with his recent comeback outlining this journey.

"I feel as if I were reborn after the surgery," he said. "My thoughts have deepened and I've achieved musical maturity. My first album following my battle against cancer encapsulates much of this journey. For those who are facing hardships in their lives, I hope my music can serve as a source of courage, inspiring them to overcome challenges like I did."

Even though his health is not on par with his past self, Nam said he pushed through the release of his album because of his fans.

"My doctor told me that I might not be able to regain my past singing ability," Nam shared. "My musical journey has become four to five times more challenging as I currently suffer from breathing problems when I perform. While it may seem premature to resume my musical activities, I still made a swift comeback because I couldn't delay it any longer. I wanted to show my fans my improved state."

Nam said he wrote and composed the entire song, noting that it embodied his emotions and the challenges he faced while battling the disease.

“When I contemplated quitting [my job], I penned this song with the hope of uplifting anyone who listens to it. I want them to receive a message of enduring hope, even in the face of hardships and sadness,” he said.