The godfather of comedy, the late Jeon Yu-seong, has passed away. To some he was a teacher and a true adult, and everyone watched over his final moments.
At 7 a.m. on the 28th, the funeral procession was held at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. The deceased, who died at the age of 76, headed to his hometown, Inwol-myeon, Namwon City, and set out on his final journey amid farewells from family, colleagues and disciples.
The disciple who shed the most tears at the funeral was Kim Shin-young. In the eulogy, he sobbed, "Professor called me not a disciple but 'a friend much older in age.' I will forever cherish his warm heart that respected even young disciples." He choked up and added, "I will keep the last 100,000 won I received for gas as a treasure in my life. Please appear as my professor in the next life as well." Kim Shin-young stayed by the deceased's side until his final moments and left a last farewell on social media, "My elder professor, rest in peace. As you said, from tomorrow I will be brave." With swollen eyes, he drew a heart in front of the portrait, a sight that made many people even more moved.
Younger colleagues from the comedy world all showed up at the funeral. Cho Sae-ho and magician Lee Eun-gyeol carried the coffin, and Lee Young-ja, Paeng Hyun-sook, Kim Hak-rae and Lee Kyung-kyu among others cried intensely as they saw him off. In particular, Cho Sae-ho bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in front of the hearse and could not rise for a long time. When footage of him sobbing in the rain was released, netizens shared the grief, saying, "The disciple's feelings come through entirely," "I've never seen Cho Sae-ho wail like that before," and "I'm tearing up at the final farewell between teacher and disciple."
Many stars attended the funeral. National MC Yoo Jae-seok stayed at the wake with Ji Seok-jin for more than an hour and a half to comfort the bereaved. Kim Joon-ho, Kim Ji-min, Kang Ho-dong, Nam Hee-seok, Joo Byung-jin, Lee Sugeun, Shin Bong-seon and Heo Kyung-hwan, current and former stars of the comedy world, accompanied the deceased and showed deep sorrow. Lee Hong-ryeol, who stayed from the first day of the wake, and Choi Yang-rak, who received younger colleagues as the chief mourner, also drew attention.
The deceased's ex-wife, singer Jin Mi-ryeong, and comedian Park Mi-seon also sent condolence wreaths to express their sympathy. Netizens likewise continued warm tributes online, saying, "The true elder of Korean comedy, rest in peace," "Thank you, teacher who nurtured so many juniors," and "Even as a star, his laughter and spirit will remain forever."
Jeon Yu-seong became known in the 1970s for writing scripts for 'Show Show Show,' and went on to create numerous comedy classics such as 'Humor No. 1,' 'Show! Video Jockey,' and 'Gag Concert,' leading the golden age of Korean comedy. He popularized the title "gagman" and protected stages for younger comedians by establishing the country's first comedy department and small theater to train juniors.
Though the deceased ultimately died after battling illness, the mood was one of deep lingering sentiment. Netizens conveyed deep condolences, saying, "It was a Jeon Yu-seong–style exit with laughter and tears together until the last stage," "His spirit lived on in the cries left by his juniors," and "A true elder is gone. But the footprints he left will not be erased."
On a day when even the sky seemed to cry with the rain, the late Jeon Yu-seong thus entered eternal rest. But the legacy and teachings of the laughter he left behind will continue in the footsteps of the juniors who protect the stage and will live forever in their hearts.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]