Phone Interview with President of Korea Broadcasting Comedians Association
Health Deteriorated After Pneumothorax Procedure in June
"Hope for Woodland Burial Near Jirisan... Funeral Hall Under Discussion"
"When I said to senior Jeon Yuseong, 'Hyung, we'll be joining you soon,' and 'You're just going a little ahead of us,' he replied, 'Alright, let's meet there.'
Kim Hakrae, President of the Korea Broadcasting Comedians Association, said this in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 25th. Comedian Jeon Yuseong is currently hospitalized at Chonbuk National University Hospital due to deteriorating health following lung surgery. His condition is extremely critical. Kim said, "I'm on my way out after finishing discussions at the association regarding Jeon Yuseong's funeral."
Jeon Yuseong underwent a pneumothorax procedure in June. After that, his health rapidly declined, and he was urgently admitted to the hospital. He was unable to attend the Busan International Comedy Festival last month, where he was scheduled to appear. Kim Hakrae said, "It is very serious. We don't know if he will pass away in ten minutes or in a few minutes." He added, "He is only breathing, but struggling a lot to do so. He is relying on an oxygen respirator, but even that is difficult for him." Kim continued, "After several lung resections, he can now only breathe at about 20% of a normal person's capacity. Even so, seeing him trying to ad-lib and make jokes was heartbreaking."
He said, "Senior Jeon is personally overseeing his own funeral arrangements." Jeon Yuseong requested that his funeral be held as a 'Comedians' Funeral,' and it is also known that he wished to be laid to rest in a forest burial site near Jirisan. Kim Hakrae explained, "If obtaining permission for a forest burial is difficult, we will first have him interred in Namwon, and then proceed with the forest burial if the opportunity arises."
It is highly likely that the funeral parlor will be set up in Seoul. Kim said, "If he passes away at Chonbuk National University Hospital, we are discussing moving him to either Asan Medical Center or Severance Hospital in Seoul." He added, "Since it should be convenient for mourners to visit and the hospital's facilities must be suitable, the final decision will be made in consultation with the bereaved family."
The comedy community is also preparing for Jeon Yuseong's final farewell. Kim Hakrae said, "Since we are in the provinces, we've arranged to collect and edit mobile video messages from juniors who find it difficult to come in person, so that they can be delivered." He added, "These could also be used during the funeral procession." Students from the Department of Comedy at Yewon University, as well as other disciples and juniors, have been visiting him in the hospital. "If there was someone he wanted to see, he would tell his daughter to call them, and they would come. Many juniors, such as Lee Bongwon and Choi Yangrak, have visited," he said.
He described Jeon Yuseong as a "benefactor of the comedy world." Kim said, "Even while bedridden, he asked for a 'Comedians' Funeral.' The fact that he could speak about such things in the face of death itself is an incredible act of courage. Watching a senior who, even as he is dying, thinks of his juniors and the association, you can't help but call him a true benefactor."
Jeon Yuseong debuted in 1969 as a writer for the TBC show "Show Show Show," and went on to receive great love both on stage and on television. After graduating from Seorabeol Arts High School and the Department of Theater and Film at Seorabeol Arts College, he was the first to introduce the term "comedian," establishing the status of a new generation of professional, proud entertainers. He is credited with creating a major turning point in recognizing comedy as a genre of cultural art. In particular, he contributed to the launch and establishment of KBS's "Gag Concert," leading a generational shift in Korean comedy.
Kim Hakrae said, "The greatest lesson from senior Jeon is to 'always be prepared.'" He emphasized, "Even in the face of death, he prepared his funeral according to his wishes. That's something an ordinary person could never do. Our juniors must carry on that philosophy."
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