Comedy Legend Jeon Yoo-sung, Who Nurtured Stars and Shaped Korean Comedy, Passes Away

Jeon Yoo-sung, a pivotal figure who established the identity of Korean comedy and popularized the term 'comedian,' has passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy.

He laid the groundwork for broadcast comedy, influencing the creation of shows like 'Gag Concert' and 'People Looking for Laughter,' and discovered countless stars. With a discerning eye even in his twenties, Jeon recognized rising talents like Lee Moon-sae and Joo Byung-jin. He also advised the late Kim Hyun-sik to pursue a singing career, contributing to the emergence of a music legend. Furthermore, he discovered the acting talent of Han Chae-young and guided her debut.

His contributions extended to nurturing comedy juniors. He helped Ppaeng Hyun-sook, Choi Yang-rak, and Shin Dong-yeop achieve their stage debuts. As a professor at the Korea Entertainment Arts College, he trained prominent comedians such as Jo Se-ho and Kim Shin-young, actively focusing on talent development. An anecdote shared on a program last year revealed Shin Dong-yeop sending a substantial amount of money to Jeon Yoo-sung as a token of gratitude for his debut, a gesture Jeon humbly accepted. Choi Yang-rak also expressed his deep appreciation, stating, "Senior Jeon Yoo-sung supported his juniors not with money, but with genuine sincerity, and I benefited from that the most."

During his life, Jeon Yoo-sung advised Jo Se-ho, "When you earn a lot of money, don't build buildings, build theaters. Nurturing juniors is a truly valuable endeavor." This advice highlights his role as not just a senior comedian, but also a guiding mentor in his juniors' lives.

Netizens are expressing their condolences, with comments like, "A great senior who raised so many stars," "I can feel the gratitude of the juniors he helped debut," and "He built the roots of Korean comedy. May he rest in peace."

Jeon Yoo-sung passed away on the 25th due to worsening pleurisy and pneumothorax at the age of 76. His funeral is being held at Asan Medical Center in Seoul starting the 26th.

Jeon Yoo-sung began his career in the 1970s, known for his innovative comedy style. He was instrumental not only in making people laugh but also in fostering future generations of comedians and expanding the scope of broadcast comedy. His passing is a profound loss to the Korean comedy industry.