Han Hyo-joo Lends Her Voice to KBS' 'Transhuman' Series: Unveiling the Story of a Total Artificial Heart Recipient

Actress Han Hyo-joo has taken on the role of narrator for the first installment of KBS' grand project 'Transhuman,' titled 'Cyborg.'

The first episode, airing on KBS 1TV at 10 PM on the 12th, will delve into the science-fiction-like story of Jean-Yves Lebranchu from France, who received a total artificial heart transplant.

Narrating the program, Han Hyo-joo marks the dawn of cutting-edge technology by stating, "The heart, a symbol of human life, is being manufactured in factories."

Lebranchu, who suffered from end-stage heart failure, recalled the experience, saying, "Without this, I would have already died last December." He described the technology as feeling like a "savior."

Dr. Julien Ryelandt, the cardiac surgeon who performed the surgery, reflected on the Total Artificial Heart (TAH) procedure, noting, "Because we removed the heart, the patient had no heart for several hours."

The artificial heart implanted in Lebranchu was developed by CARMAT. Its design features two upper chambers, functionally replacing two ventricles. Currently, it serves as a temporary device for patients awaiting heart transplants.

Stéphane Piat, CEO of CARMAT, explained the company's goal: "Our aim is to create artificial hearts that can be used for patients worldwide with biventricular heart disease." He likened the device to something akin to 'Iron Man'.

Han Hyo-joo commented on the recipient's continued life at the intersection of humanity and machinery, stating, "Life persists on the boundary between humans and machines."

The 'Transhuman' series will continue with 'Brain Implant' and 'Gene Revolution' over the next three weeks, airing every Wednesday at 10 PM on KBS 1TV, presenting a feast of advanced technologies that are turning science fiction into reality.

Netizens reacted with fascination, commenting things like, "Hearing the story with Han Hyo-joo's voice makes it even more intriguing," "An artificial heart, it sounds like something straight out of sci-fi," and "It feels like future technology has truly arrived."