Lee Yong Joo dies at 44 as colleagues mourn at funeral
South Korean actor Lee Yong Joo died suddenly at 44 from cardiac arrest on August 29, 2026, according to Korean media. Colleagues including Blue Tower co-stars Baek Bong-gi and Jung Si-yeon mourned as his wake was held at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, with the funeral procession scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on August 31.
The news sent shockwaves through South Korea's entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from co-stars, comedians, and fans who remembered the model-turned-actor for his warm personality and comedic roles.
Key Takeaways
- Lee Yong Joo died at 44 from cardiac arrest on the morning of August 29, 2026.
- His wake was set up at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Home No. 5, with burial planned at the Seongnam funeral culture facility.
- Blue Tower colleagues Baek Bong-gi, Jung Si-yeon, Kim Jae-woo, and Kim Ho-chang publicly mourned the late actor.
- Lee was best known for Princess Hours, Blue Tower, and Rude Miss Young-ae.
- He had previously disclosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that exempted him from military service, though no link to his death has been confirmed.
What Happened to Lee Yong Joo?
According to Chosun Biz and other Korean outlets, Lee Yong Joo passed away suddenly on the morning of August 29 after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 44 years old.
A close friend announced the obituary on social media, writing that the actor "suddenly passed away from cardiac arrest that morning." The friend also noted that the news had not been fully shared beyond Lee's family and close acquaintances at first.
The late actor's wake was established at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Home No. 5 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The funeral procession is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on August 31, with burial at the Seongnam funeral culture facility, as reported by Chosun Biz and Maeil Business Newspaper.
Who Is Mourning Lee Yong Joo at His Funeral?
Colleagues who worked with Lee Yong Joo on the military sitcom Blue Tower led the public outpouring of grief as funeral arrangements proceeded.
Comedian Kim Jae-woo posted on social media on August 30 that he had escorted Yongju on his final path. "Yongju was a good person who sincerely cared for his colleagues and an actor more passionate than anyone else," Kim wrote, according to Chosun Biz.
Actor Baek Bong-gi shared a selfie with Lee from their Blue Tower days and wrote, "Yongju... thinking I will never see you again keeps me from sleeping," as reported by Chosun Biz and MK. He added, "I'm sorry, brother. I hope you are comfortable and happy there without any worries or pain."
Jung Si-yeon, another Blue Tower colleague, said she could not attend the funeral because she was far away. "What was so urgent that you left so quickly?" she wrote, according to Chosun Biz. Actor Kim Ho-chang also posted a photo of Lee's wake and urged acquaintances to visit the funeral home.
What Was Lee Yong Joo Best Known For?
Born in 1982, Lee Yong Joo began his career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting, WION reported. He gained wide recognition portraying a clumsy yet lovable new recruit in tvN's military sitcom Blue Tower.
He also appeared in Princess Hours, Rude Miss Young-ae, Hello Francesca, Soulmate, and New Recruit, among other projects. Fans on social media remembered his youthful image in military uniform and praised his comedic warmth.
For more on sudden losses in the entertainment world, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
What Do We Know About Lee Yong Joo's Cause of Death?
Korean media uniformly reported that Lee Yong Joo died from cardiac arrest or a heart attack. WION noted that in a 2013 interview about Blue Tower, Lee said he had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during his military physical examination, which led to his exemption from service.
In a February appearance on actor Lee Jong-hyuk's YouTube channel, Lee also mentioned having "something wrong with my heart," WION reported. However, WION emphasized that no direct link has been confirmed between his past cardiomyopathy and his death.
Chosun Biz published the initial colleague tributes and funeral details in its August 30 report.