As the late Jeon Yoo-seong (76), known as the 'father of comedy', has passed away, comedian Choi Yang-rak, who referred to him as a "mentor and benefactor" during his lifetime, shared his memories of the deceased.
On the 26th, Choi Yang-rak stated in a phone call with YTN star, "Three days ago, I visited the hospital with my wife, Paeng Hyun-sook, to say my final goodbyes to my brother," and added, "He was preparing to leave, but he never lost his sense of humor until the end."
Choi Yang-rak mentioned, "I was staying in Japan at the time when I received a call from my brother's daughter and son-in-law. They told me that my brother said, 'I'm getting ready to leave, and you're the first person I thought of,' so I returned to Korea immediately," and he said, "As soon as I arrived in Korea, I headed straight to the hospital."
He continued, "My brother did not show any signs of pain and even joked as usual. His breathing seemed difficult, but he spoke clearly," expressing a deep sense of loss, "He lived as a comedian until the very end."
Choi Yang-rak recalled that he visited Jeon Yoo-seong right after debuting in a comedy contest during his first year of college. "We have maintained our relationship for 45 years since then," he said, "If my brother hadn't been there, I wouldn't be who I am today."
He added, "I wouldn't have succeeded as a comedian, and I wouldn't have met my wife, Paeng Hyun-sook. I might have been living a completely different life, possibly less happy."
Jeon Yoo-seong passed away at the age of 76 on the 25th at 9:05 PM due to worsening symptoms of lung disease while hospitalized at Jeonbuk National University Hospital. The funeral will be held at Asan Medical Center in Seoul and will be conducted as a comedian's funeral.
