Ji Suk-jin’s mother, Kim I-ja, passed away in the early hours of December 24 due to complications related to old age. She was 90 years old. A memorial altar was set up at Room 2 of the Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall. The encoffining ceremony took place on the morning of December 25, while the funeral procession was held at 5:20 a.m. on December 26. Her final resting place is at Seoul Memorial Park, Icheon Eden Paradise.
Following the announcement of her passing, the funeral hall was visited by numerous figures from the entertainment industry on December 25. Colleagues and juniors including Kim Jong-min, Lee Seung-gi, Jun Hyun-moo, Jeong Jun-ha, producer Kim Tae-ho, Ryu Dam, Lee Sung-min, Apink’s Yoon Bomi, and the couple Jason and Hong Hyun-hee came to pay their respects and console the bereaved family. According to MK Sports, Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook—who have worked alongside Ji Suk-jin for many years on Running Man—also visited the funeral hall to personally express their condolences.
The timing of the loss has made the moment especially bittersweet for Ji Suk-jin. Just days earlier, on December 21, he achieved a long-awaited career highlight by winning his first-ever Grand Prize at the 3rd Pinggyego Awards, more than 30 years after his debut. At the ceremony, he moved audiences with his heartfelt words: “I kept telling myself that if I endured long enough, a good day would come—and I realized that was truly sincere.”
Before the joy of that achievement could fully settle, the sudden passing of his mother brought a wave of sorrow, prompting an outpouring of support from colleagues and fans alike. As Ji Suk-jin faces this profound personal loss, many continue to stand beside him, sharing in both his grief and their hopes for strength during this difficult time.
Sources: Daum
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