Beloved TV Host Lee Sang-yong Passes Away at 81
Lee Sang-yong (이상용), the iconic television personality known as 'Popeye Uncle' (뽀빠이 아저씨), has passed away at the age of 81. His agency, Imade, announced on May 9 that he had been in good health until recently, but was receiving treatment for a severe cough at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital when he experienced respiratory distress and passed away around 2:30 PM.
Born in 1944 in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, Lee earned his nickname due to his impressive muscular build, reminiscent of the American cartoon character Popeye. Despite his strong appearance, he was born a premature baby and faced numerous health challenges in his early life. He began weightlifting at the age of 11 to improve his health and later became a successful bodybuilder, earning titles such as 'Mr. Daejeon High School' during his teenage years. Standing at about 160 cm, he was affectionately known as the 'little giant' for his athletic prowess.
Lee's journey into broadcasting was serendipitous. After serving as a tank officer in the ROTC and participating in the Vietnam War, he took on various jobs, including as a street vendor. His talent for entertaining caught the eye of renowned announcer Byeon Woong-jeon, who helped him land a role as a co-host on MBC's 'Cheongbaekjeon' in 1973. He gained widespread popularity as 'Popeye' on KBS's 'Let's Sing Together' (모이자 노래하자) from 1975 to 1984 and briefly hosted the popular program 'National Singing Contest' (전국노래자랑) in 1985 before Song Hae took over in 1988.
From 1989, Lee hosted the military entertainment program 'Stage of Friendship' (우정의 무대), earning the title 'Original Military President' (원조 군통령). His heartfelt segments, particularly the 'Missing Mother' corner, resonated deeply with audiences, often bringing them to tears with its emotional storytelling.
However, his career faced a setback in 1996 when he was investigated for misusing funds intended for children with heart disease, leading to the cancellation of his program the following year. Although he was later cleared of all charges, the incident left a lasting impact, prompting him to move to the United States where he worked as a tour bus guide. In a 2020 interview on TV Chosun's 'Star Documentary My Way,' he expressed the emotional toll of the accusations and credited figures like Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan for their support during difficult times. Throughout his life, he sponsored surgeries for over 500 children with heart conditions and received several honors, including the National Order of Merit (Dongbaek Medal) in 1987 and the Sports Medal (Girin Medal) in 1990.
Lee is survived by his wife, Yoon Hye-young, and their three children. His funeral will be held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with the burial scheduled for May 12.
