"A fun world, I'll finish" Late Jeon Yu-seong, a bright star of the comedy world who left laughter behind
'A living witness to Korean comedy and the big star who first introduced the word 'gagman' to the world, the late Jeon Yu-seong left a final farewell that will be remembered forever in the hearts of juniors and the public.'
On the 29th, KBS 2TV variety show 'Gag Concert' aired footage of the late man's onstage appearance. Jeon Yu-seong, who had appeared on stage in healthy times, conveyed a short but deep philosophy in his characteristic calm yet resonant voice: "Gagmen think a great deal to make people laugh. If you think one more time when others don't, a much more fun world unfolds. I'll finish." When the caption at the end of the broadcast read, "We pray for the soul of gagman Jeon Yu-seong, who gifted the word gagman to this land," viewers were filled with emotion.
Jeon Yu-seong died at the age of 76 at Jeonbuk National University Hospital on the 25th at 9:05 p.m. after symptoms of pneumothorax worsened. Kim Hak-rae, president of the Korea Comedian Association, recalled his visit to the hospital, saying, "Even while depending on an oxygen respirator, his mind was clear. Even then he exchanged jokes and left the words, 'I'll be there first, so let's meet soon.'" He added, "The deceased refused life-prolonging treatment himself and instructed that his funeral be a 'comedian funeral,'" conveying the mentor's composed final moments as he put his affairs in order.
Since last year, Jeon Yu-seong had worried fans with frequent reports of health problems, and he ultimately did not attend last month's Busan International Comedy Festival 'Comedy book concert' that had been scheduled. He loved the stage, but in the end his health could not protect that passion.
Born in 1949, Jeon Yu-seong was not just a comedian but left a distinctive mark across fields as a broadcast writer, performance planner and film director. Majoring in theater at Seorabeol Arts College, he entered the broadcasting world by writing scripts for Gwak Gyu-seok, and in the 1970s he made a name as a writer by scripting TBC's 'Show Show Show.' Later he proposed and popularized the neologism "gagman" instead of "comedian," which is regarded as a symbolic event signaling the birth of a new genre in the history of Korean comedy.
He opened the doors for juniors by founding Korea's first comedy-only theater, the 'Cheolgabang Theater,' in Cheongdo, and as honorary chair of the Busan International Comedy Festival he also led efforts to introduce Korean comedy to the world.
His disciple Kim Shin-young, who watched his final moments, sobbed, "Professor called me not so much a disciple as a 'friend much older than me.' I will keep the last 100,000 won he gave me for gas as a treasure for life." Comedian Cho Sae-ho also said, "I was happy to be the professor's disciple. The last 'stay well…' voice is still fresh in my ears," and could not hide his hot tears.
A wave of mourning is continuing online as well. Internet users expressed their condolences with posts such as "A real adult who left laughter until the last moment," "The eternal godfather of the comedy world, rest in peace," and "Even as a star, he still seems to remain by our side with laughter."
Jeon Yu-seong's absence is enormous, but his life and teachings still live on and breathe among his juniors. The last phrase, "A fun world, I'll finish," remained his life's declaration and farewell, as he loved the stage and cherished laughter like his life.
Meanwhile, the funeral procession was held on the morning of the 28th at Asan Medical Center's funeral hall in Seoul. The burial site was set as Inwol-myeon, Namwon, North Jeolla, his hometown, and as he had expressed in life, it will later be carried out as a tree burial.
[Photo] Broadcast screen capture
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