Influencer and former Ulzzang Generation star Lee Chi Hoon passed away six years ago on March 19, 2020, from acute sepsis at the age of 31.
Before his death, he visited the emergency room with a high fever, but due to delays in testing and hospitalization amid the COVID-19 pandemic, his condition worsened. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and ultimately did not recover. Prior to this, Lee had posted on his personal account, “I’ve been going in and out of the hospital for two days because of lymphadenitis, and today I also got hit with a severe body ache. I hope it’s not COVID. I don’t even have the strength to hold the mouse, so I’m leaving this notice on my phone. Everyone is going through a really tough time, but let’s hang in there.”
Lee Chi Hoon’s mother donated his inheritance of ₩20.0 million KRW (about $13,300 USD) to society. At the time, she said, “My son was kind and modest in life. He spread good influence to those around him, and I believe he would be more pleased in heaven if his remaining assets were used to save lives, so I made that decision.”
Tragically, seven months later, on October 29, 2021, it was reported through an acquaintance that Lee’s mother also passed away. The acquaintance shared, “No matter how many times she called every day, her son did not answer. She opened the front door and waited all night hoping to see him return, but he never came home. She went to find her son and passed away. Please pray for them. May they meet again, recognize each other at a glance, and be happy together.”
Born in 1988, Lee Chi Hoon gained recognition in 2009 through the comedy TV show Ulzzang Generation, and continued his broadcasting career in the following year with K-STAR’s Flower Boy Stock Company. Though he is no longer with us, his radiant smile remains vivid in the hearts of his fans, even six years later.