South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo, best known for his work in the hit drama Princess Hours and the sitcom Blue Tower, died on August 29 from a cardiac arrest at the age of 44, according to South Korean media reports. His passing brought renewed public attention to a previously disclosed heart condition that shaped his early career choices.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Claims Actor Lee Yong-joo at 44
From Fashion Runways to Television Stardom
Lee began his entertainment career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting. He made his screen debut with a minor role in the 2004 film Doma Ahn Jung-geun.
He subsequently appeared in MBC’s Hello, Francesca from 2005 to 2006 before landing his breakout television role in the 2006 cultural phenomenon Princess Hours. In the drama, Lee portrayed Jang Kyung, a high school friend of Crown Prince Lee Shin, who was played by Ju Ji-hoon.
Following Princess Hours, Lee secured roles in several television projects, including the comedy series Unstoppable Marriage in 2007, the long-running Rude Miss Young-ae franchise between 2007 and 2019, The Women’s Room in 2013, Let’s Eat in 2013, and My Unfortunate Boyfriend in 2015.
Lee achieved broader mainstream recognition for his work in the tvN military sitcom Blue Tower, which aired from 2013 to 2014. In the series, he portrayed a new recruit.
A Hereditary Heart Condition and Military Exemption
Lee’s death drew public focus back to a medical condition he discussed openly during the height of Blue Tower’s broadcast. While promoting the sitcom in 2013, Lee revealed that he had been officially exempted from mandatory South Korean military service after doctors diagnosed him with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic disorder characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
Lee stated that his mother had been hospitalized with the identical heart condition. Medical professionals had advised members of his family to undergo screenings due to the hereditary nature of the disease, leading to his own diagnosis.
Final Farewells in Gyeonggi Province
Following his death on August 29, a wake was established at Room 5 of the Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Hall located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, according to regional reporting.
A close friend shared a public tribute on social media following the news, writing, "My friend Lee Yong-joo passed away suddenly. The sudden news is still hard to believe," asking fans and colleagues to remember Lee on his final journey.
The funeral procession took place on August 31 at 6:30 a.m. His burial was scheduled at the Seongnam City Funeral Culture Complex.
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