The South Korean entertainment community is mourning alongside Ji Seok-jin following the passing of his mother, Kim I-ja, who died peacefully at the age of 90 on the morning of December 24.
The funeral was held at Seoul Asan Hospital, Hall 2, with the casket ceremony taking place at 11:00 a.m. on December 25 and the farewell service scheduled for 5:20 a.m. on December 26. The burial will be at Seoul Memorial Park – Icheon Eden Paradise.
Even a day after the news broke, colleagues and friends from the entertainment industry continued to visit the funeral to pay their respects. Among them, long-time collaborators Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook personally attended, quietly offering condolences. Their presence highlighted the deep bonds and respect shared among these veteran entertainers.
Other notable figures who sent flowers or messages of sympathy included MCs, comedians Kim Dae-hee, Nam Hee-seok, Ryu Dam, Im Ha-ryong, and Kwon Young-chan, entertainers Kim Ji-sun, Lee Hong-ryul, Oh Jae-mi, Kim Young-chul, PD Kim Tae-ho, and celebrities such as Kim Gu-ra, Seo Kyung-seok, Jessun & Hong Hyun-hee, Lee Sung-min, Hwang Jung-min, Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Kwang-soo, Han Ji-min, Lee Jong-hyuk, Lee Hyun-do, Apink’s Yoon Bo-mi, Lee Seung-gi, DinDin, and god’s Park Jun-hyung.
This loss came at a poignant moment in Ji Seok-jin’s career. Just days earlier, on December 21, he had received his first Grand Prize at the 3rd Pinggye Awards, marking over three decades of dedication to broadcasting. During his acceptance speech, he reflected, “If you endure and persist, good days will come,” a sentiment that resonated with many.
The passing of his mother, only three days later, juxtaposes the joy of professional achievement with the private sorrow of losing a parent. Ji Seok-jin has remained by his family’s side, quietly saying goodbye outside of the camera’s view.
Ji Seok-jin continues to connect with audiences through SBS’s Running Man, tvN’s Sixth Sense: City Tour 2, and his YouTube channel “Ji’s Comfortable World”, maintaining a beloved presence in Korean entertainment.
Sources: Netizenbuzz