From "People Searching for Laughter" to "Gag Concert"
Active Until Recently
Outpouring of Grief Over Sudden Passing
Comedian Jung Sehyup passed away at the age of 41.
On October 7, the production team of KBS2's "Gag Concert" announced Jung Sehyup's passing through their official social media account, stating, "We express our deepest condolences for the heartbreaking news about Jung Sehyup. May he rest in peace," in a brief tribute.
Jung Sehyup passed away on the night of October 6. The funeral parlor has been set up in Room 2 of Hambaek Mountain Funeral Hall in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, and the funeral procession will take place at 7:40 a.m. on October 9. The burial site has been determined as Hambaek Mountain Memorial Park.
Although the exact cause of death has not been released, a representative from the Broadcasting Comedians Association stated, "It is difficult to confirm precisely, but as far as we know, it was not directly related to leukemia and was caused by cardiac arrest." Since Jung had previously revealed his battle with leukemia, news of his sudden death has been met with even greater sorrow.
Jung Sehyup debuted in 2008 as part of the 10th open recruitment class for SBS comedians and was active in various comedy programs such as "People Searching for Laughter" and "Gag Tonight." In particular, his "Chow Chow" character, which featured makeup reminiscent of a Chow Chow dog and cheerful performances, is remembered as his signature role.
He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 and began a long period of treatment. In 2022, he appeared on a YouTube channel and shared that he had received a bone marrow transplant and was declared cured, giving hope to many. Even after his illness, he never lost his passion for the stage, and last year, when KBS2's "Gag Concert" returned as a seasonal program, he once again took to the public comedy stage.
Until recently, he remained active. He made a comeback as the "Chow Chow" character after 13 years in the "Battle of the Century" segment of "Gag Concert," and his performance was broadcast, delighting fans. He also continued to connect with fellow comedians, including attending the funeral procession for the late Jeon Yuseong last month.
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