Comedian the late Jeon Yu-seong's passion continued until the end of his life. His passion and message, which also appeared in his final work, once again moved everyone's hearts.
Born in 1949 and who passed away last year, Jeon Yu-seong is regarded as a figure who left a unique mark across many fields beyond a simple comedian, including broadcast writing, performance planning and film directing.
Jeon Yu-seong, who established the word "gagman," had a great influence on the birth of programs such as "Gag Concert" and "People Seeking Laughter" by turning gags performed in small theaters in Daehangno into broadcasts. In his 20s he already discovered Lee Moon-sae and Joo Byung-jin, and he was also famous for recognizing singer Kim Hyun-sik and encouraging him to become a singer. While serving as a professor in the comedy department at Yewon Arts University, he nurtured proteges such as Cho Sae-ho and Kim Shin-young, exerting influence across the board.
Therefore, South Korea could not help but fall into mourning at the news of the late Jeon Yu-seong's death. Seven months after he left, his final work is currently in post-production.
Road movie "Winter picnic" directed by 40-year actor Choi Il-soon. Choi Il-soon explained his connection with the late Jeon Yu-seong, saying, "I sent letters to the people I thought would be good to appear in the film. I sent one to the late Jeon Yu-seong first, and he gladly agreed, saying, 'I wanted to do this kind of work too.'"
Choi Il-soon said of the late Jeon Yu-seong, "He was unique, proactive and groundbreaking. He was someone who led not just one step but two or three steps ahead."
In particular, Choi Il-soon conveyed his heavy heart, saying, "During the film shoot he was admitted to the emergency room more than three times, was discharged and then readmitted repeatedly. I didn't know this work would become his final work. Watching it all the time, it still feels like he is alive."
The handwritten note released together included phrases such as "The wind blows. Without warning. It cannot be avoided. It lashes the whole body and runs away." Choi Il-soon evaluated it as "the most comedian Jeon Yu-seong-like writing."
At a meeting with acquaintances, Choi Il-soon also said he did not know that the late Jeon Yu-seong's final work would be "Winter picnic," which he directed. He relayed a poignant anecdote, saying, "After he was discharged from the hospital I called him. He said, 'I've had a good time so far.' So I said, 'You should keep enjoying yourself more.'"
They remembered the late Jeon Yu-seong's final message left in the film. "Kids. The end is not the end. When you turn around, that's a new beginning."
[OSEN]