True tributes from comedians filled the late Jeon Yu-seong's final path. The last moments, characteristic of Jeon Yu-seong, turned even sorrow into comedy. His juniors made that path even more special.
The funeral service held the morning of the 28th at Asan Medical Center in Seoul gathered the bereaved family and numerous junior comedians, creating moments where tears and laughter alternated as they bid farewell to their teacher and mentor Jeon Yu-seong. The service was hosted by Lee Sugeun, and Pastor Pyo In-bong offered the representative prayer, adding a solemn atmosphere.
First, Park Jun-hyung took the stage and said, "Let's take a big round of applause for our senior. Thank you, senior," prompting warm applause. As the sound of applause echoed through the heavily subdued funeral hall, it carried respect and gratitude for the deceased. Then Lee Hong-ryul, who delivered the eulogy, choked up saying, "Our senior was an innovator on stage and a teacher behind the scenes. The laughter and lessons he left will continue to live and breathe in our hearts and on stage." Kim Shin-young sobbed, saying, "I will treasure the last 100,000 won I received for gas for life," and added, "Even as I write this, I miss him so painfully and want to see him. Please appear as my professor again in the next life," crying as she spoke.
Kim Hak-rae, president of the Comedian Association and head of the funeral committee, recalled, "What our senior liked most in life was Kim Jeong-ryeol's 'Sungguridangdang,'" and called Kim Jeong-ryeol to the stage. Kim Jeong-ryeol, who went on stage, said, "I want to block my brother's path, but with the hope that he leaves smiling, I'll let down his lower garment once," and performed the 'Sungguridangdang' act himself. Although it was a mournful occasion, laughter seeped into the funeral hall for a moment, and internet users reacted, saying, "It was the saddest dance in the world," and "Tears and laughter burst out at the same time."
Choi Yang-rak introduced the deceased's career, recalling, "He was the first to coin the term 'gagman' and was a pioneer who created 'Gag Concert.' With unmatched passion, he established Korea's first department of comedy and worked to train juniors through comedy small theaters." When, at his suggestion, Jeon Yu-seong's catchphrase "Bong-iya~" resonated, the funeral hall filled with wailing and sobbing.
The memorial ceremony was held at KBS Open Hall in Yeouido. Amid heavy rain, a black-and-white portrait was neatly placed on the stage. Having opened stages for juniors throughout his life and ushered in a new chapter in Korean comedy, the last stage he ascended was none other than the 'Gag Concert' stage.
Internet users, watching the deceased's final path, expressed their heavy hearts, saying, "A real gagman who made even his last stage shine with comedy," "The most special funeral in the world, with laughter and tears together," "It made me cry, yet laughter leaked out," "He was Jeon Yu-seong to the end," and "A true comedians' funeral that mourned with laughter."
There was only one reason comedians didn't let go of laughter even amid tears. It was the genuine attitude toward laughter that the late Jeon Yu-seong emphasized and upheld throughout his life. That is why his final path was sad yet warm, mournful yet left laughter. In the end, it was a final farewell true to Jeon Yu-seong.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]