Friend Shared News Of His Death
South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo, known for his appearances in Princess Hours and Blue Tower, has died at the age of 44.
Lee died on Aug. 29 after suffering cardiac arrest, according to South Korean media reports. News of his death was shared on social media by a close friend, who said the sudden loss was difficult to believe. The friend asked people who knew Lee to remember him and send their condolences as he made his final journey. His wake was held at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Hall in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
The news brought several people who had worked with Lee over the years together again. His former Blue Tower co-stars were among those who mourned him and shared memories from their time on set. Kim Jae-woo, Baek Bong-gi, Kim Ho-chang, Song Young-jae, Jeong Si-yeon and Yoon Jin-young were among those who paid tribute. Some also visited his wake, while photos shared online showed former cast members gathered in front of Lee’s funeral portrait.
He Played Lee Shin’s Friend In Princess Hours
For K-drama fans, Lee may be familiar from the hit 2006 series Princess Hours, also widely known as Goong. The romantic comedy became popular across Asia during the Korean Wave of the 2000s and remains one of the dramas associated with that era.
Lee played Jang Kyung, one of Crown Prince Lee Shin’s high school friends. Lee Shin was played by Ju Ji-hoon, while Yoon Eun-hye starred as Shin Chae-kyeong, an ordinary student who suddenly found herself marrying into the royal family. Jang Kyung was part of the crown prince’s circle of friends at school. Lee had a supporting role in the series, but it placed him in a drama that went on to reach viewers well beyond South Korea.
Before Princess Hours, Lee had already started building a career in entertainment. He worked as a model before making his acting debut with a minor role in the 2004 film Doma Ahn Jung-geun. He later appeared in Hello, Francesca. His other television credits over the years included Unstoppable Marriage, Rude Miss Young-ae, Let’s Eat, My Unfortunate Boyfriend and Bad Detective.
Blue Tower Became One Of His Best-Known Roles
While international K-drama viewers may remember Lee from Princess Hours, he became particularly well known in South Korea through the military comedy Blue Tower. He played Private Lee Yong-joo, a clumsy new recruit trying to adjust to military life. The character became one of the roles most closely linked to his career and brought him wider recognition. He later returned to a military-themed production with an appearance in the 2022 series New Recruit.
Following his death, Blue Tower actor Kim Jae-woo remembered Lee as a caring colleague who was deeply passionate about acting. Kim Ho-chang also shared a tribute and recalled a recent conversation with Lee. He said he had been thinking about giving up acting, but Lee encouraged him to continue and told him that he would do well. Kim later said he would trust those words and keep going. The pair had also planned to meet for a drink after Kim’s performance the following month.
The reunion of the Blue Tower cast came more than a decade after they worked together on the military comedy. Lee himself had once spoken warmly about his relationship with the cast, describing his colleagues as people he could depend on. After news of his death, former co-stars shared photos and memories of Lee on social media as they mourned their longtime colleague.
Lee Previously Spoke About His Heart Condition
Lee had previously revealed that he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes unusually thick. The diagnosis resulted in his exemption from South Korea’s mandatory military service. He had said that his mother was hospitalised with the same condition and that he was diagnosed after family members were advised to undergo medical checks. His medical history received renewed attention following his death, although reports have not consistently established a direct medical link between the condition and his cardiac arrest.
Outside acting, Lee had also moved into the travel industry. South Korean media reported that he had been running a travel agency near Moran Market in Seongnam, marking a different chapter in his life after stepping back from regular acting work.
Lee’s funeral procession was held at 6.30am on Aug. 31 at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Hall. He was laid to rest at the Seongnam City Funeral & Culture Center. His Blue Tower colleagues were among those who gathered to say goodbye, with several continuing to share messages for Lee after his death.
According to The Chosun Daily.
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