Seongmun Baek, a lawyer widely known as the husband of announcer Kim Sun-young and a regular commentator on current affairs programs, died after a battle with cancer. He was 52.
He died at 2:08 a.m. on Oct. 31 at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital after battling cancer, leaving many heartbroken. Recently, on his birthday (July 23), he wrote on social media, "Even though it was a difficult fight during which I even feared I might not be able to celebrate this birthday, I am still holding on. The process remains uncertain, but with hope and courage, and the wishes and prayers of precious people, I have to overcome this," expressing his will to recover.
He also wrote, "Putting everything aside, my wife and I, who are focusing entirely on treatment and full-time care, will get through this. To my very precious wife, I am so sorry, thank you, I am happy and I love you. I will overcome everything," conveying his feelings to his spouse and leaving readers moved.
He also posted a photo of a uniform gift on social media and wrote, "At the ballpark with our Mrs. Kim, I promise we will meet again soon… Thank you so much, I will not just endure this but I will definitely win!!" Even while battling illness, he showed hope and solidarity in everyday life, which saddened many.
He was born in Seoul. He graduated from Gyeonggi High School and Korea University with a degree in law. After passing the 49th national judicial examination (2007), he began practicing as a lawyer in earnest in 2010. He worked as a criminal defense lawyer and appeared as a regular panelist on several current affairs programs, including Case Commander and News Fighter, becoming known as a popular explainer of legal and social issues.
Lawyer Seongmun Baek sought through broadcasts to explain legal and social issues to the public in an easy-to-understand way and to convey the message "the path we walk together." The hope he showed his family and viewers during his illness resonated deeply with many. But sadly, the message he left—"I will not just endure this but I will definitely win!!"—was not realized, which made the loss even heavier.
A funeral was set up at the Asan Medical Center funeral hall in Seoul, and among the surviving family members listed as chief mourners was his wife, announcer Kim Sun-young. The funeral procession will be at 7 a.m. on Nov. 2, and the burial site is Honorsstone in Yongin.
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