South Korean actor Lee Yong-ju, known for his roles in the drama series “Palace: The Manic Queen” and “Blue Tower”, has passed away suddenly at the age of 44 due to a heart attack. The news has shocked the entertainment industry in South Korea.
According to a report by the Chosun Ilbo, on August 29th, a close acquaintance of Lee Yong-ju posted on social media, expressing disbelief at the sudden loss of the actor who brought laughter to many through his performance as the clumsy yet lovable soldier “Lee Yong-ju” in “Blue Tower”. The post mentioned that he passed away early that morning due to a heart attack.
The individual added that the news has not been widely circulated outside of close circles yet, as the actor’s phone is password protected and his family is facing difficulties in handling matters due to the weekend. They urged those who have worked with or known Lee Yong-ju to help spread the news.
Born in 1982, Lee Yong-ju started his career as a model before venturing into acting with a small role in the 2004 film “Doma Ahn Jung-geun”. He made his television debut in 2005 with “Hello Francesca” and went on to appear in various films and TV series, including the popular 2006 drama “Palace: The Manic Queen” where he portrayed Prince Lee Shin’s classmate and friend.
Other dramas Lee Yong-ju starred in include “Drama City: Treasure Island”, “Saint Valentine”, “Impolite Miss Young-Ae”, “Our Women”, “Room of Two Women”, and “Let’s Have Dinner Together”. He also appeared in several movies, connecting with audiences through diverse roles.
Although the cause of death was confirmed as a heart attack, his previous exemption from military service due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has garnered attention once again. During the promotion of the drama series “Blue Tower”, he revealed his medical condition and how it led to his exemption from military service.
Despite not serving in the military, Lee Yong-ju expressed his empathy for soldiers and vowed to give his best in every role for those serving. He continued to participate in the filming of the “New Recruit” series as a special guest.
Messages of condolences flooded social media platforms, with fans expressing deep sorrow and sending their thoughts and prayers to the late actor. The report mentioned that Lee Yong-ju’s wake is being held at the funeral hall of Bundang Jesaeng Hospital.
Please note that the aforementioned news is a translated and rewritten version of the original article.