‘Princess Hours’ actor Lee Yong-joo dies at 44
South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo, known for his roles in the hit drama “Princess Hours” and tvN sitcom “Blue Tower,” has died at 44.
According to South Korean media, Lee died on Saturday, Aug. 29 from a cardiac arrest. A close friend announced his death on social media.
“My friend Lee Yong-joo passed away suddenly. The sudden news is still hard to believe,” the friend wrote, asking fans and colleagues to remember Lee on his final journey.
Article continues after this advertisement
Lee’s death has brought renewed attention to his previously disclosed heart condition. In 2013, while promoting “Blue Tower,” the actor revealed that he had been exempted from mandatory military service after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.
FEATURED STORIES
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
READ: ‘Scream’ actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36, just four days before birthday
Lee said at the time that his mother had been hospitalized with the same condition. The actor was diagnosed with the disease after doctors advised members of his family to undergo medical examinations because of its potential hereditary nature.
Lee began his entertainment career as a model before making his acting debut with a minor role in the 2004 film “Doma Ahn Jung-geun.” He later appeared in MBC’s “Hello, Francesca” and “Princess Hours.”
In “Princess Hours” (2006), Lee played Jang Kyung, a high school friend of Crown Prince Lee Shin, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon.
Article continues after this advertisement
He went on to appear in the comedy series “Unstoppable Marriage,” the long-running “Rude Miss Young-ae” franchise, “The Women’s Room,” “Let’s Eat,” “My Unfortunate Boyfriend,” “Bad Detective” and the military comedy series “New Recruit.”
Lee gained popularity through “Blue Tower,” where he portrayed a new recruit despite having never served in the military. His lack of military experience became part of the story surrounding his casting.
Article continues after this advertisement
Lee’s wake has been set up at Room 5 of the Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Hall in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
His funeral procession is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, with the burial to take place at the Seongnam City Funeral Culture Complex. /edv
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.