Hong Kong TV host Koba dies at 29 from rare spinal cancer

Hong Kong TV host Clark Chan Man-nam, also known by his stage name Koba. Photo from Koba’s Instagram

The South China Morning Post reported that the news of Koba’s passing was announced on his Instagram account late Saturday evening, triggering a flood of tributes and condolences from both fans and fellow cancer patients.

Many commenters praised Koba for his courage throughout his illness.

“I see you are so strong despite the pain, devoting your life to documenting your cancer fight…,” a commenter posted. “I hope you are free from all that now.”

“Thank you for fighting hard for your life, you have inspired many,” another wrote.

Koba was diagnosed with the disease last year, a cancerous tumor that often targets children and young adults and typically develops in bones. His tumor was found between two vertebrae in his spine, initially misdiagnosed as a spinal disc herniation for roughly two months before further scans uncovered the tumor.

He first hinted at his health issues in December, when he uploaded a video showing his shaved head, a result of hair loss from chemotherapy.

He later became candid about his condition, regularly updating the public and providing information about Ewing’s sarcoma. He humorously referred to himself as “one in a million, God’s chosen child” in one video, noting the rarity of his cancer type in adult men.

In his last public note dated July 10, Koba expressed deep gratitude for the constant support from his family, friends, and followers, saying: “Having you all alongside me on this journey has made me feel incredibly fortunate and thankful.”

He described his difficult final weeks in the same post, noting he had lost control over his bladder, requiring the use of diapers and a catheter, and constantly felt pain in areas where he still had sensation, like his shoulder blades, neck, and scalp. He said he had been hospitalized since June 22 due to complete paralysis of the lower body.

“The cancer has spread to many different areas, including my chest, lungs, multiple vertebrae and lymph nodes,” he disclosed. “I can even physically feel some of the lumps.”

He also mentioned suffering from difficulty in breathing, heart palpitations, and a constant cold, sweaty feeling, with doctors advising that further rehabilitative therapy would be futile and recommending a focus on palliative care, as reported by Dimsum Daily.

Koba served as a host on Hong Kong-based broadcaster TVB’s “Love Is…,” a talk show focused on romance for a young audience.

Johns Hopkins University states that Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare bone cancer that predominantly affects young people during their rapid bone growth phase, comprising only about 1% of childhood cancers in the U.S.