Broadcaster Lee Sung-mi reminisced about the late Kim Ja-ok.
On the 26th, a video titled "Comedian Lee Sung-mi Episode 6 (Sister Ja-ok, who made us laugh every day)" was released on the YouTube channel 'Song Seung-hwan's Wonderful Life'.
Song Seung-hwan asked, "It's surprising that Lee Sung-mi has connections not only with comedians but also with senior (Kim) Ja-ok. Aren't you also close with teacher Kang Bu-ja?"
In response, Lee Sung-mi said, "Teacher Kang Bu-ja always said, 'I really like you.' When I was about to go to Canada, she sent me expensive baby clothes. She always treated me well for no reason," expressing her gratitude.
She also shared, "I became close with sister Ja-ok while working together on broadcasts. She was really funny. Her smile was so lovely and beautiful. She was beautiful enough to be admired by women," revealing her affection for Kim Ja-ok.
She continued, "We lived in the same apartment. I lived on the first floor, and she lived in the building facing mine. When I was diagnosed with cancer, she was the first to contact me. She texted me saying, 'Since I'm a cancer senior, let me know if you need to talk,' and we would visit each other when one of us was having a hard time," recalling those times.
Lee Sung-mi recounted, "One day, I saw a text from (Kim Ja-ok) that seemed strange. She was rambling, so I went to see her, and it turned out she needed to go to the hospital." She added, "There is an unforgettable scene. She was on life support with a tube in her throat and an oxygen mask on her face. When I held her hand and called her 'sister,' she shed tears, and that was the last time."
She continued, "Before she passed away, she asked me, 'Seong-mi, I hope you can take care of my funeral when I die.' When I asked what she wanted, she said, 'I have a hanbok made by teacher Park Sul-nyeo, so please dress me in that.' She also said, 'I don't like chrysanthemums. Please use roses,' so I filled the funeral home with roses. Lastly, she asked me to clean up my room after I die, so I tidied up her room, keeping some of her belongings and giving the rest to my juniors," reflecting on her final memories with Kim Ja-ok.
Meanwhile, Kim Ja-ok was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 and resumed her broadcasting activities after surgery and chemotherapy. She gained attention by appearing in shows like 'High Kick Through the Roof', 'The Woman Who Marries Three Times', and 'Sisters Over Flowers'. However, her condition worsened as the colon cancer metastasized to her lungs and lymph nodes, and she passed away on November 16, 2014.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
