Korean Entertainer Lee Sang-yong Dies at 81

Lee Sang-yong (이상용), the beloved entertainer known as 'Uncle Popeye,' passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of May 9 at the age of 81. Former president of the Korean Broadcasting Comedians Association, Eom Young-soo (엄영수), shared that Lee had been struggling with diabetes, which had affected his mobility for the past five to six years. Eom, who was a close friend and worked at the same agency as Lee, expressed his shock at the news, stating, 'I had been helping him recently as he had difficulty moving around.'

Eom recalled that Lee often downplayed his health issues, telling younger colleagues, 'I just hurt my leg a bit; I’ll be fine soon.' He lamented that many people were unaware of Lee's struggles. Eom also mentioned that during a meal near Lee's home last year, he noticed Lee had difficulty climbing stairs, which raised concerns about his declining health.

Eom described Lee as a true comedian who could entertain audiences of all ages effortlessly. He noted that Lee had fewer opportunities to showcase his talents on television despite his skills, and he was a source of inspiration for many younger comedians.

According to a representative from Lee's agency, I 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 made his debut in 1973 with 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 popularity soared in 1989 when he began hosting the MBC variety show 'Stage of Friendship' (우정의 무대).

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 all charges the following year, the program was canceled, and he took a break from broadcasting. After clearing his name, he was recognized for his charitable work, supporting surgeries for over 500 children with heart conditions. Throughout his career, Lee received numerous accolades, including the National Order of Cultural Merit (1987) and the Sports Medal of Honor (1990).