Actor and former model Lee Yongju, who won widespread affection for his bumbling New Recruit role in tvN's popular drama '푸른거탑', died of a heart attack.
On the 29th, a friend of Lee Yongju announced the news via the late person's social media, saying, "Friend Lee Yongju suddenly passed away, so I inform you with condolences," and added, "We cannot believe this sudden news. Please warmly pray for Yongju's peaceful rest on his final journey."
The deceased's funeral hall was set up in room 5 of the Bundang Jesaeng Hospital funeral hall, and the funeral rite will be held at 6:30 a.m. on the 31st. The burial site is the Seongnam Funeral Culture Service.
With the sudden cause of death revealed as a heart attack, the deceased's health condition and recent updates that he had revealed on a broadcast just six months earlier have been reexamined, adding to the sorrow.
Lee Yongju appeared on actor Lee Jong-Hyuk's YouTube channel on Feb. 2 and confessed that he had received a military exemption due to a heart condition. At the time he said, "There is something bad related to my heart." It is known that he suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during his life. Even though he had not completed military service, people around him continued to marvel that he delivered a convincing New Recruit performance in '푸른거탑'.
Also, in that broadcast he said he returned to Seoul after a business failure in Busan and began a new challenge. "I run a one-person travel agency near Moran Market in Seongnam," he said, and because this attempt to rebuild his life was only half a year ago, the sudden news has pained many people.
Lee Yongju, who debuted in the 2004 film 'Doma An Jung-geun', delivered distinctive performances in various works including MBC's 'Hello, Francesca', 'Palace', and tvN's 'My Lovely Kim Sam-soon'. In particular, he left an unmistakable presence with the New Recruit character in '푸른거탑', bringing familiar laughter to viewers.
Colleagues and fans are continuing to send waves of condolences over the tragic news of the deceased, who had been dreaming of rebuilding his life.
[Photo] video capture, former agency provided
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