The circumstances of the surgery and death related to the medical accident of the late Shin Hae-chul were revisited through KBS 2TV's "The Secret of Celebrity Patients."

The broadcast covered the process following Shin Hae-chul's diagnosis of intestinal stenosis in 2014 and his laparoscopic surgery, the autopsy results, and the subsequent trial. Despite experiencing severe abdominal pain and chest pain after the surgery, the surgeon only conducted an abdominal examination and prescribed painkillers, with no additional measures taken. The pain persisted after discharge, and by the fifth day after surgery, chest pain had also developed. Eventually, after returning to the hospital, Shin Hae-chul lost consciousness after saying, "I can't breathe," and died one hour after his last medical examination.

The surgeon who performed the operation claimed in an interview in December of the same year, "I reinforced the stomach, but it was not a reduction surgery," explaining that the stomach repair was an unavoidable procedure. However, the autopsy concluded that the procedure was a cosmetic stomach reduction surgery. Regarding this, specialist Lee Nak-jun explained, "It appears that the damaged stomach was folded inward and stitched during the repair process. This has the effect of reducing the stomach's area," adding that such procedures are generally performed with the patient's consent. Questions were also raised about the possibility of surgery without consent.

During the autopsy, it was revealed that 'sesame seeds,' believed to be food, were found inside the pericardium surrounding the heart. Lee Nak-jun stated, "Under normal circumstances, sesame seeds cannot be found in the pericardium." The National Forensic Service determined that two perforations found in the small intestine and pericardium occurred during the surgery. It was investigated that food from the small intestine penetrated the diaphragm and reached the pericardium, causing inflammation and sepsis. The cause of death was confirmed as peritonitis, pericarditis, and resulting sepsis. The official cause of death was also announced as "hypoxic ischemic brain injury."

The court acknowledged negligence during the surgery and sentenced the surgeon to one year in prison for professional negligence causing death. Intent was not recognized. In the civil lawsuit, a compensation judgment of approximately 1.18 billion won was made, but controversy continued over whether the payment was actually made.

The broadcast also mentioned that Shin Hae-chul had explained before the surgery that "it is a simple surgery, so it would not interfere with filming," and that he was actively performing on stage until two weeks before his death. Watching the broadcast, Lee Chan-won remarked, "Is the patient a test subject?" and panelists including Oh My Girl Hyo-jung and Jang Do-yeon expressed surprise at the autopsy results.