South Korean broadcaster Ji Suk-jin has suffered the loss of his mother, a heartbreaking blow that came only days after he celebrated a major milestone in his career. According to Korean media reports on December 24, Ji’s mother passed away in the early hours of the morning due to age-related illness. The sudden news has left Ji Suk-jin and his family in deep sorrow, and it was shared quietly as the family focused on mourning.
The funeral wake has been set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, with the funeral service scheduled for December 26 in the morning. The burial will take place at Eden Paradise in Icheon. This loss carries added emotional weight, as Ji Suk-jin previously lost his father in 2018, making this the second time in seven years that he has had to say goodbye to a parent.
What makes the news even more poignant is the timing. Just three days earlier, on December 21, Ji Suk-jin received his first-ever Daesang (Grand Prize) at the 3rd Pinggyego Awards, marking a peak moment in his more than 30-year broadcasting career. In his acceptance speech, he expressed disbelief and gratitude, saying that enduring difficult times eventually leads to good days, a sentiment that now resonates even more deeply.
Following the announcement of his mother’s passing, fellow entertainers and industry colleagues began visiting the funeral hall and sending condolence wreaths. Figures such as Kim Jong-min, Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Seung-gi, Jeong Jun-ha, producer Kim Tae-ho, Hong Hyun-hee and Jason, actor Lee Sung-min, and Apink’s Yoon Bomi were among those who expressed their sympathy, highlighting Ji Suk-jin’s long-standing relationships in the entertainment world.
Ji Suk-jin has been personally receiving mourners alongside his family, quietly seeing his mother off away from the cameras. Fans have also shared messages of support, expressing sorrow that such a painful farewell followed so closely after a moment of professional triumph.
Despite the tragedy, Ji Suk-jin remains a familiar presence to audiences through programs such as SBS’s Running Man, tvN’s Sixth Sense: City Tour 2, and his online content. For now, however, the veteran entertainer is stepping away from the spotlight to grieve, as the joy of a long-awaited honor and the pain of personal loss collide in one of the most emotional moments of his life.
Sources: Naver
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