Sad news from the South Korean entertainment industry: Lee Yong-joo, a young actor known for the popular series Blue Tower and Princess Hours, died suddenly at the age of 44. Media reports indicate he passed away from cardiac arrest.
According to Chosun Daily, Lee Yong-joo died on Saturday, 29 August. A close friend of the actor announced his death on social media, admitting that the sudden news remains hard to believe.
After the news broke, Kim Ho-chang, a co-star from Blue Tower, posted a group photo of the actors and crew from the show to pay tribute to their departed colleague.
The photo also included actors Song Young-jae and Baek Bong-gi, as well as producer Min Jin-ki.
Kim Ho-chang recalled a recent conversation with Lee Yong-joo, in which he had told the senior actor he was thinking about quitting the entertainment industry. Lee Yong-joo encouraged him to keep going.
He shared that Lee Yong-joo said, “Ho-chang, you can do it. As the youngest member of the Blue Tower family, don’t give up and keep moving forward.” Kim Ho-chang replied that he would trust his senior’s words and continue his path.
Additionally, Kim Ho-chang revealed they had planned to drink together after his upcoming performance next month, and said that he and other Blue Tower cast members would meet Lee Yong-joo again soon.
Lee Yong-joo’s death has renewed public attention on his previously disclosed heart health issues.
Earlier this year, Lee appeared on a YouTube show hosted by fellow actor Lee Jong-hyuk, where he revealed he had experienced some heart problems, which led to his exemption from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Some Korean media reported that Lee Yong-joo was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle is abnormally thick.
However, news reports have not confirmed whether this heart condition was directly related to his death.
Lee Yong-joo began his entertainment career as a model before taking on minor acting roles, including in the 2004 film Doma Ahn Jung-geun.
He subsequently appeared in multiple films and series, such as Princess Hours, Rude Miss Young-ae, and Two Women's Room.
His most memorable role was as a clumsy new recruit in the military sitcom Blue Tower on tvN in 2013, which gained wide audience attention. He later appeared in the military-themed series New Recruit in 2022.
Lee Yong-joo’s sudden passing at just 44 has deeply saddened colleagues and fans, especially those who remember his role in Blue Tower, which remains one of the works that established his name in South Korea’s entertainment industry.
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