Broadcast personality Lee Sang-yong, known by the nickname 'Popeye,' passes away on Nov. 9 at the age of 81. The photo shows him serving as the MC at the 'Popeye Traveling Theater Memory Concert' held at Chungmu Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on May 4, 2009. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

The broadcaster Lee Sang-yong, known as 'The Man from Nowhere,' passed away on the afternoon of the 9th. He was 81 years old.

According to MBN on the 9th, Lee collapsed while returning from a hospital near his home in Seocho District, Seoul, due to health reasons. He was then transferred to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital for emergency treatment but ultimately passed away.

Lee, a native of Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, entered the broadcasting industry in 1973 as an assistant MC for MBC's 'Cheerful Blue and White Battle.' He gained fame starting in 1975, when he hosted KBS's 'Let's Gather and Sing' for nine years and earned the nickname 'The Man from Nowhere.' He was particularly beloved by the entire nation as the host of MBC's 'Stage of Friendship,' which aired from 1989 to 1997.

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