'lend' Jeon Yu-seong died today (25th) as symptoms of pneumothorax worsened.
According to a media outlet, comedian Jeon Yu-seong died at about 9:05 p.m. on the 25th at Jeonbuk National University Hospital, where he had been hospitalized. He was 76.
According to reports, the Korea Broadcasting Comedians Association said, "He passed away at about 9:05 p.m. with his only family, his daughter, watching over him. We were already mentally prepared, but it is so heartbreaking and sad," it was reported.
Earlier that day, junior comedian Kim Hak-rae told OSEN about Jeon Yu-seong's health, "It's serious. Even the doctors' predictions have already been off. He should have passed away 4 to 5 days ago, but he's still holding on," he explained.
He said, "(If the hospital's prediction were correct) he should have passed away months ago. When I went yesterday, he was only breathing with an oxygen respirator, and even that he was struggling to breathe with. The strange thing is his mind is clear. He even ad-libs and jokes with people who visited; he's that lucid," he said.
But since it was impossible to know when he would pass, preparations for the funeral were already underway. Kim Hak-rae said, "They're doing it today or tomorrow, so we're preparing a comedians' funeral in advance. This was something senior Jeon Yu-seong instructed while lying down. In that situation he said, 'For the funeral, make it as the head of the comedians' association,' and people around him thought the funeral should be held at a Seoul hospital, and he agreed. So the funeral will be held in Seoul," he explained.
He said, "He has one daughter, and the bereaved family said they would cremate him and that there is a municipal columbarium at the foot of Jiri Mountain in Namwon. They will keep him there for now, and what Yu-seong wanted was a tree burial. He wanted a tree burial on the slopes of Jiri Mountain, but there is currently no legal way to do that. For now they will place him in the municipal columbarium and, when a tree burial facility becomes available, they will move him there quickly. My heart aches even more," he lamented.
However, a representative for Jeon Yu-seong told OSEN that "the current condition is not to that extent. The condition is not good, but it was not severe enough to be taken as critical. As acquaintances relayed that 'he is ill,' there may have been some exaggeration," they had said. But Kim Hak-rae said, "No. Who would say that. Those who went and saw him in person all found it serious and are on edge. It seems he could pass away soon," indicating a grave condition.
He added, "(He) was also making all his mental preparations and giving instructions. And he even told people directly, 'I am going to die soon,'" he explained.
Regarding reports that Jeon Yu-seong left instructions to his daughter about his wishes after death, Kim Hak-rae said, "I didn't ask about that part," but added, "Isn't that what a will is? I think he wanted the comedians' funeral and cremation followed by a tree burial; that might be his will."
Jeon Yu-seong recently underwent a procedure related to pneumothorax, but respiratory distress continued afterward and his condition worsened, leading to re-hospitalization. Because of health issues he missed last month's scheduled Busan International Comedy Festival 'Comedy Book Concert,' and rumors of his critical health followed.
Born in 1949 and 76 this year, Jeon Yu-seong is regarded as more than a simple comedian; he is evaluated as a figure who left distinctive footprints across broadcasting writing, performance planning and film directing.
He majored in theater at Seorabeol Arts College and first entered the entertainment industry as a comedy writer, writing scripts for Gwak Gyu-seok, who was the top MC of the time. In the 1970s he gained fame as a writer by writing scripts for the popular TBC show 'Show Show Show,' and he is also known for being the first to propose and popularize the term 'gaegeman' instead of the word 'comedian.' Thus, 'gaegeman' came to refer not only to sketch comedy but also to a new form of comic performer who uses creative and witty humor, and this helped establish the identity of Korean comedy.
Active on top contemporary comedy programs such as KBS's 'Humor No. 1' and 'Show Video Jockey,' Jeon Yu-seong employed 'slow gag' and 'intellectual gag' that made audiences laugh on a second thought, charting a path distinct from the then-dominant slapstick comedy. Known as the 'idea bank of the comedy world,' he provided decisive ideas for many juniors' segments.
Jeon Yu-seong's achievements did not end there. He played a pioneering role in various fields for the development of Korean comedy. In 2007 he founded the country's first comedy-only theater, Cheolgabang Theater, in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and as honorary chairman of the Busan International Comedy Festival, Asia's first comedy festival, he worked to promote Korean comedy to the world.
He also worked hard to nurture juniors. In his 20s he showed an eye for talent by discovering Lee Moon-se and Joo Byung-jin, and he was known for recognizing singer Kim Hyun-sik and encouraging him to pursue a singing career. He also discovered comedienne Paeng Hyun-sook, served as a professor in the comedy department at Yewon Arts University and trained students such as Cho Sae-ho and Kim Shin-young. He was also the person who discovered and debuted actress Han Chae-young.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]