Beloved Comedian Lee Sang-yong Passes Away at 81

Lee Sang-yong (이상용), the renowned television personality known as 'Uncle Popeye,' passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of May 9 at the age of 81. Um Young-soo (엄영수), former president of the Korean Broadcasting Comedians Association and a close friend, shared that Lee had been struggling with diabetes, which had affected his mobility for the past five to six years.

In an interview with Maeil Business Star Today, Um expressed his shock at the news of Lee's passing, stating, "I had been helping him recently as he had difficulty moving around." He recalled how Lee would downplay his condition, telling younger colleagues, "I just hurt my leg a bit; I’ll be fine soon," which left many unaware of his struggles.

Um noted that even during a meal near Lee's home last year, he had difficulty navigating stairs, and his health had been deteriorating without any solutions in sight. "I was always worried about what might happen," he added.

Um described Lee as a true comedian who could entertain audiences of all ages effortlessly. He recalled how the late Song Hae (송해) often referred to Lee as his successor. Despite Lee's immense talent, he had limited opportunities to showcase his skills on television, leaving many younger comedians with much to learn from him.

According to a representative from Lee's agency, E-Made Entertainment, he collapsed while returning from a hospital visit for cold symptoms and was transported to the emergency room. Unfortunately, he passed away around 2:30 PM due to cardiac arrest.

Born in 1944 in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, Lee debuted in 1973 on MBC's 'Pleasant Blue and White Battle' (유쾌한 청백전). He gained recognition as a broadcaster after graduating from Korea University and serving as an officer in the military. His fame grew significantly when he hosted MBC's military entertainment program 'Stage of Friendship' (우정의 무대) in 1989.

However, in 1996, he faced a scandal involving the misappropriation of funds intended for children with heart disease, which led to his departure from the show. Although he was cleared of charges the following year, the program was canceled, and he stepped away from the industry for a time. After clearing his name, he was recognized for his charitable work, supporting surgeries for over 500 children with heart conditions. Throughout his life, Lee received numerous accolades, including the National Order of Merit (1987), the Sports Medal (1990), and a commendation from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (1998).