South Korean actor Lee Yong Joo has passed away due to cardiac arrest.
He was 44.
News of his sudden death was shared by one of his close friends on social media on August 29, 2026, describing it as “sudden and hard to believe.”
“We regretfully inform you that our friend Lee Yong Joo has passed away suddenly.
“The shocking news is hard to believe.
“We ask for your warm condolences as he begins his final journey,” the post read, according to Korean news site The Chosun Daily.
Lee Yong Joo's heart condition
Following news of his death, Lee Yong Joo’s previous statements about his health have resurfaced.
In February, Lee Yong Joo appeared on fellow actor Lee Jong Hyuk’s YouTube channel, where he opened up about his heart condition after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and stiff, making it harder to pump blood effectively.
Because of his condition, Lee Yong Joo was exempted from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
“I was exempted because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a rare disease. I underwent a physical examination and was granted an exemption,” he said at the time.
He also revealed that he may have inherited the condition from his mother, who had previously been hospitalized after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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Lee Yong joo's acting career
Lee Yong Joo began his entertainment career as a model before pursuing acting.
He made his acting debut in 2004 in An Jung-geun’s Altar and went on to appear in several television dramas, including Hello, Franceska (2005), Princess Hours (2006), Ugly Miss Young Ae (2007), Divorce Lawyer in Love (2015), and Uncontrollably Fond (2016).
He later gained recognition for his role in the drama series The Blue Tower (2013–2014), in which he played Yoo Jung, a rookie soldier whose clumsy yet endearing personality became one of the show's memorable characters.