The eternal 'Popeye uncle' late Lee Sang-yong has already been gone for a year.
May 9, 2026, is the first anniversary of Lee Sang-yong's death. He collapsed on May 9, 2025, while returning from a nearby hospital after visiting for a cold, was transported to the hospital, but ultimately died. He was 81.
Born in 1944, the late Lee Sang-yong was an ROTC graduate of Korea University and served as an army officer before debuting in 1971 as an MC on Christian Broadcasting System (CBS). In 1975, while hosting KBS's children's music program "Let's gather and sing," he acquired the familiar nickname "Popeye uncle."
Before the late Song Hae, Lee Sang-yong, who also once hosted "National Singing Contest," began approaching audiences more fully as "Popeye uncle" when he hosted MBC's military comfort program "Stage of friendship" from 1989. His vigorous salute, loved by soldiers and their families, is still vivid in the mind.
Having hosted "Stage of friendship" until 1996 and receiving much love, Lee Sang-yong had to stop broadcasting due to a sudden embezzlement case. He was falsely accused of embezzling from organizations he had founded, including a memoir publication for children with heart disease, a support organization, and a charity for disadvantaged children, but was cleared of charges after three months; shaken by the incident, he went to the United States and worked as a tour guide.
After returning to Korea and resuming broadcasting, Lee Sang-yong launched a YouTube channel in 2019 and, despite his advanced age, did not lose his characteristic vigor and cheerfulness, but his sudden death shocked many. It was especially tragic because he was reported to have appeared healthy and given a lecture the day before his death.
On news of Lee Sang-yong's passing, Jang Seo-hee mentioned their connection from "Let's gather and sing" and mourned, "He was the person who helped me take my first step into broadcasting. I pray for his soul."
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