Remembering 'Popeye' Lee Sang-yong and His Humorous Legacy
Do you remember 'Popeye's Spinach Operation' (뽀빠이 아저씨 시금치 대작전), published in 1980? On December 5, the day after martial law was lifted, the beloved entertainer Lee Sang-yong, known as 'Popeye,' greeted me with a cheerful, "Hey! You must have worked hard on this!" at the National Museum of Korean History in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Although we had never met, he immediately recognized our generational connection, having hosted various children's programs like 'Let's Gather and Sing' and later 'Stage of Friendship' during his military service.
That day marked the opening of a special exhibition titled 'My Treasures, Our Modern History,' based on a series of articles published in the Chosun Ilbo. The exhibition featured personal collections from 60 notable figures, including Popeye himself. Despite many celebrities canceling their attendance due to the tense political climate, Popeye showed up without hesitation. Upon seeing the military uniform he wore while hosting 'Stage of Friendship,' he exclaimed, "Oh, how disgusting! I wore that for nearly ten years!"
However, I was saddened by his appearance. Once known for his robust physique, Popeye now seemed frail, with a darkened face that made me question if he was indeed the same person I remembered. Time had not spared him, yet he still traveled the country giving 'laugh-out-loud lectures' and handed me his business card.
Since the 1990s, Popeye had entertained audiences with his cassette tape series 'Laugh Train,' aimed at adults. However, he also published a children's humor book, 'Popeye's Spinach Operation,' which was his only humor book. Released on December 23, 1980, and illustrated by cartoonist Park Soo-dong, this book had once brought joy and laughter to many children, including myself.
Unfortunately, 'Popeye's Spinach Operation' has long been out of print and is hard to find in libraries. It is not available in the National Assembly Library or the 22 libraries under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, with only one copy existing at the National Library of Korea, which cannot be borrowed.
I managed to acquire a copy after much effort. The humor in the book, which often featured beggars and thieves, reflected the societal context of the time. It is evident that Popeye dedicated significant effort to researching and crafting his humor.
As a university student, I once pondered whether some of his jokes, particularly those that seemed to belittle figures like Mao Zedong, were too harsh. It is remarkable that such humor was possible during those tense times.
One joke that frequently comes to mind is about foreigners struggling with the Korean language. At the time, it seemed absurd, but now it has become a reality, with many people around the world learning Korean to enjoy K-pop and K-dramas. Perhaps this was humor that was ahead of its time.
Sadly, Lee Sang-yong, known as 'Popeye,' passed away unexpectedly at the age of 81 on May 9. Hearing the news brought a deep sigh; another era has come to an end. As we move into a new age, it may not be as bright, and we might find ourselves reminiscing about the past with a sense of nostalgia. For now, I can only smile at the old humor he left behind.
