Actor Lee Ji-han, Who Died in Itaewon Tragedy, Awarded Honorary Degree from Dongguk University

Actor the late Lee Ji-han (1998?2022), who passed away in the Itaewon tragedy, was awarded an honorary diploma from Dongguk University.

Actor the late Lee Ji-han (1998?2022), who passed away in the Itaewon tragedy, was awarded an honorary diploma from Dongguk University. [Image source=Lee Ji-han social networking service (SNS) capture]

Recently, Lee Ji-han’s mother posted on the late actor’s social media, "On August 22, Ji-han’s honorary graduation ceremony took place," adding, "After attending the ceremony, I was severely ill and only today have I been able to gather my thoughts and reflect on that day."

She continued, "We did not want to attend the graduation ceremony with Ji-han’s portrait because we did not want to accept my son’s death," and said, "However, since there might be people at the school who did not know who Ji-han was, we painfully and sadly wrapped his portrait in a silk cloth and took it with us."

She added, "The three of us cried from the moment we entered. There was no voice congratulating Ji-han’s graduation anywhere," and lamented, "Our family did not prepare a bouquet. It was too heartbreaking that the one who was supposed to receive it was not with us," repeating, "Our family did not prepare a bouquet. It was too heartbreaking that the one who was supposed to receive it was not with us."

She went on, "If Ji-han had been alive to graduate with his friends from the Department of Theater and Film, if Ji-han had been alive to receive a bouquet from his mom and dad with a smile, if Ji-han had been alive to stand alongside his parents like other graduates and receive his diploma, how wonderful that would have been," but also confessed, "Since that was not possible, everything felt futile and meaningless."

Lee Ji-han’s mother also expressed, "Since October 29, life for the three of us without Ji-han has felt like walking without souls, as if our feet are floating in the air rather than on the ground, unable to find meaning in anything," and said, "The three of us left behind without Ji-han held hands that day and cried endlessly. Are you listening? Are you watching? I love you and miss you so much, very very much," revealing her longing for her son.

Lee Ji-han first gained recognition by participating in Mnet’s 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017. He appeared in the 2019 web drama 'One More Day with Nam Hyun.' He died in the crush accident that occurred on October 29, 2022, in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul.