Former CLC member Elkie Chong has been hospitalized following a frightening case of carbon monoxide poisoning, shedding light on a hidden danger many overlook in everyday life.
The 26-year-old singer and actress, who originally hails from Hong Kong, took to Instagram on May 2 to share her harrowing experience, posting photos from her hospital bed and a scene showing an emergency responder who helped save her life.
In her post, Elkie described waking up with a headache, thinking it was a typical case of fatigue or stress.
“I was about to say ‘I took medicine’ when everything suddenly turned white before my eyes,” she wrote.
Moments later, she collapsed, hitting surrounding objects as she fell. Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning, a condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The cause of the poisoning was reportedly a gas leak. Elkie highlighted just how insidious the gas can be:
“There was no smell, no smoke, no sound. I just thought I was tired, sleepy, and had a headache lately. I really had no idea.”
Her case underscores the silent and invisible nature of carbon monoxide, often dubbed the “silent killer.”
Elkie is currently receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a common treatment for CO poisoning that helps restore oxygen levels in the body.
Thankfully, she reassured fans that her condition has stabilized and expressed heartfelt gratitude to friends and medical staff who acted quickly to help her.
Beyond sharing her recovery update, Elkie used her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide.
She urged others to install CO detectors, check their appliances, and ensure proper ventilation in living spaces to avoid similar incidents.
Elkie debuted with CLC in 2016 under Cube Entertainment and participated in several of the group’s releases before officially departing in February 2021.
Since then, she has returned to work in Hong Kong and mainland China, focusing on solo promotions and acting projects.
The incident has drawn attention from both fans and safety advocates, reminding the public of the importance of environmental safety, especially as seasonal changes increase the use of gas-based heating or cooking appliances.
Fans across social media have expressed relief and support, wishing Elkie a speedy and full recovery while also commending her for turning a personal scare into a teachable moment.
