It has been 11 years since the late Yu Chaeyoung, a versatile entertainer who gave off pleasant energy, passed away.
July 24, 2026, marks the 12th anniversary of the late Yu Chaeyoung's death. She passed away on July 24, 2014, at the age of 40.
The late Yu Chaeyoung was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer after a health checkup in October 2013 and underwent surgery. The following July her condition became critical and she was hospitalized, and the fact that she had been battling the illness was revealed only three days before her death, causing sorrow. The agency said it was "aware that she is currently in a situation where it is difficult to take action," conveying the distressing situation.
Starting as a magazine model in 1988 and debuting in the music scene in 1989 as part of the group 'Punsudeul,' the late Yu Chaeyoung also worked as an original member of the mixed-gender group Cool. After serving and returning as the Europop mixed group US, the late Yu Chaeyoung made a fresh start as a solo singer and gained love by sparking a techno dance craze.
While preparing her third album she suffered a fraud loss of 250 million won, but she made a new start by appearing in films beginning with 'Sex Is Zero' and acting in dramas such as 'Chuno,' 'Fashion King,' and 'The Fugitive of Joseon,' among others. In addition, she was active on various entertainment programs and received much support as a "versatile entertainer."
The late Yu Chaeyoung married businessman Kim Juhwan, who was one year her junior, in 2008 and started a family. Her husband has continued to post letters on her fan cafe every year after her death, expressing his enduring love.
The late Yu Chaeyoung's husband left a letter ahead of her 12th anniversary. In a post titled "This time I'll choose a day when it doesn't rain and go slowly because...," he said, "Baby, did you wait a lot? It's been a while since I wrote a letter. Even a world without you is a place I have to live in, and because there are various things, I don't seem to remember you every day like I used to."
He said, "Although 12 years have passed since you left, even 12 years ago and no matter how much time passes, if I can remember you after I die, I will remember you. But now I don't live only in sadness like before. Living day by day after you left, time passed, and I'm not the same as I used to be," and added, "Sometimes people seem to misunderstand that I'm still living every day in sadness and depression. It's not that it's too hard and sad and I don't want to live because I miss you and come here. I miss you, I want to see you, and my love for you remains, but it's not as hard and sad as it used to be."
Especially toward fans he said, "I'm grateful that Chaeyoung was loved so much, but I felt I should write here that you don't have to worry about me much anymore," and added, "Something unfortunate happened. I wanted to keep the car we had together until I died, but I scrapped it after 17 years. I lent it to a friend and it got into an accident. I shouldn't have lent it... instead, our motorcycle has been well kept for 18 years. I will keep at least that until the end. So this time I can't go if it rains. I don't have a car yet. I'll ride the motorcycle on a day when it doesn't rain. Wait for me, my love. See you soon."
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