Jazz saxophonist and composer Soojung Lee has died. She was 27.
According to her family, Soojung Lee died on the 4th. The sudden news of her untimely death left colleagues in the jazz community, as well as fans and internet users, in deep shock and sorrow.
The deceased had been sharing updates on her social media as recently as New Year's Day, which makes the news all the more heartbreaking. On the 1st, Soojung Lee posted on her personal account, "2025 was a hectic year that felt like two years. Thank you to everyone who steadfastly stayed by my side despite my shortcomings this year. From the third time onward it will be chronological," expressing her gratitude. The post is now filled with condolence comments from many people.
Noted from childhood for her exceptional musical talent, the deceased appeared on the 2010 SBS entertainment program 놀라운 대회 스타킹 as a 'jazz prodigy,' introducing herself to the public. Even at a young age, she left a deep impression with highly polished performances and received high expectations from the music world.
Soojung Lee later enrolled at Berklee College of Music in the United States and achieved the feat of being chosen as one of only seven presidential scholars worldwide. This showed that her musical ability was recognized internationally. In addition, she completed a master's degree at age 22, earning the epithet "genius saxophonist," and had been regarded as the future of Korea's jazz scene.
She also maintained steady recording activity. In 2018, at age 19, she released her self-titled debut album Soojung Lee and began her full-fledged musical career. Since then she built her own identity as a performer and composer and continued active work.
Meanwhile, Soojung Lee's funeral wake has been set up at the funeral hall of Seoul Hyundai Nursing Hospital in Gangdong District, Seoul. The funeral ceremony is at 2 p.m. on the 6th, and the burial site is Seoul Memorial Park.
[Photo] Soojung Lee SNS
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