Before the shock of the death of the late Jeon Yoo-seong had even subsided, another sad piece of news reached the comedy world. The late comedian Jeong Se-hyeop, who came from Gag Concert, suddenly passed away. With successive bereavements, senior and junior comedians in the comedy community have expressed deep condolences.
On the night of the 6th, Jeong Se-hyeop died at the age of 41. According to broadcasting officials, while he was with an acquaintance he complained of sudden chest pain and was transported to a hospital, but he ultimately died of cardiac arrest without regaining consciousness.
Born in 1984, Jeong Se-hyeop debuted in 2008 as a comedian in SBS's 10th public recruitment. He was active through Laughing Finder and Gag Tonight, and he was greatly loved for the character Chaochao, a parody of the companion dog chow chow in the Hao and Chao corner. He was a comedian who showcased his distinctive cheerful energy, creating the catchphrase "Chaochao!"
After SBS's flagship comedy program Laughing Finder was discontinued and his stage opportunities decreased, Jeong Se-hyeop returned after a long battle with illness. Diagnosed with leukemia in 2015, he fought the disease for nearly five years and was declared cured after a bone marrow transplant. Later, in 2022 he appeared on the YouTube channel "Late Night Godown" and confessed that he had "been to the threshold of death," once again showing his passion for performing.
Until recently he was actively performing, appearing on KBS2's Gag Concert. The news of his death, which was suddenly reported on the 6th — the day after the broadcast and one day before the Chuseok holiday — came as a great shock to fellow comedians and fans.
The Gag Concert production team expressed condolences on its official social media, saying, "We pray for the repose of the late Jeong Se-hyeop. We will not forget the laughter and passion he left behind."
Tributes from fellow comedians continued. Kim Won-hyo wrote, "Live freely there, laugh as much as you want, and just live making people laugh. I offer my sincere condolences," and Hong Hyun-hee posted a photo from when they were alive, saying, "My heart aches so much at this unbelievable news. Rest peacefully in a place without pain," which moved many.
Park Sung-kwang conveyed his tender feelings, saying, "Our Se-hyeop, be happy there." Hwang Young-jin also mourned the deceased, saying, "He was the junior I liked the most. He acted well and was truly a good friend. He is the person among my juniors who made me laugh the most. I hope many people will remember Se-hyeop."
Only two weeks ago, the comedy world was plunged into deep sorrow after the passing of the late Jeon Yoo-seong, the godfather of comedy, and now another comedian has died. Many fellow comedians and fans bow their heads in mourning at the absence of the two who gifted so much laughter.
[Photo] Provided by KBS
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