Beloved Broadcaster Lee Sang-yong Passes Away at 81, Remembered for His Generosity

Lee Sang-yong (이상용), the beloved broadcaster known as 'Popeye Uncle,' passed away on May 9 at the age of 81. Following the news of his death, many online tributes have highlighted his charitable acts throughout his life. Lee was known for sponsoring surgeries for hundreds of children suffering from heart disease and for his daily practice of withdrawing 100 new 1,000 won bills to distribute to those in need.

In the wake of his passing, numerous netizens shared their condolences, with one user recalling, "He was a beautiful person who withdrew 300,000 won every month in 1,000 won bills to share happiness with everyone he met."

A segment from MBN's 'Special Report World' aired in July 2022, showcasing Lee's generous spirit. Despite limping, he visited a bank to withdraw a stack of 1,000 won bills, which he then distributed to a shoe repair shop owner and restaurant staff. One restaurant employee remarked, "He often gives money to those in need, like the man selling socks, treating it like pocket money. He always carries fresh bills to share."

Lee explained his reasoning for giving out new bills, stating, "New bills are lucky money. I give two or three to those in need. There are so many people struggling, and I spend 300,000 won a month on this. I've been doing this for about 50 years."

He did not distribute the same amount to everyone; instead, he adjusted the amounts based on the recipient's circumstances. He shared, "I give 20 bills to the man pulling a cart, 5 to a restaurant, and 2 to a child, totaling 100 bills a day. That adds up to 300,000 won a month."

During the same broadcast, Lee addressed a false accusation from 1996, where he was wrongfully accused of misusing funds meant for children with heart disease. He expressed his anguish, saying, "I spent 10 billion won to help 600 children over 47 years, yet the news claimed I helped none. I still tear up thinking about it. My father, a journalist, passed away while defending my character."

In fact, Lee was later cleared of all charges after a prosecutor's investigation. He reflected on that difficult time, saying, "I felt like I was losing my mind. I had helped 600 children, but the media didn’t report it. I was in a deep pit of despair and cried a lot alone."

Lee Sang-yong passed away suddenly on May 9 after collapsing while returning from a hospital visit for cold symptoms. He was transported to the emergency room but unfortunately succumbed to cardiac arrest around 2:30 PM.