Baek Bong-ki turned to Instagram on the 30th to mourn Lee Yong-joo, a day after the actor suddenly died from a heart attack on the morning of the 29th. In his post, Baek said he could not sleep after realizing he would not see Yong-joo again.
The tribute landed while readers were already searching for the details around Lee’s death, because the loss was sudden and he was only 44. Baek and Lee had worked together on tvN's Blue Tower, and the post included a photo of the two drinking together and taking selfies, a reminder of the ordinary moments behind the public grief.
Baek did not soften his regret. He wrote that he should have taken better care of Lee when he was around, that he should have contacted him once more and seen him more often, and that he only felt remorse now. He ended by saying he was sorry, called Lee “brother,” and said he hoped he would be comfortable and happy without any worries or pain.
The story still leaves one point hanging: the death was described as a heart attack, but no further medical or official detail was given in the available report. That makes the funeral arrangements the firmest next step. The mortuary was set up at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Funeral Home No. 5, with the stamping date set for 6:30 a.m. on the 31st.
For those watching the story today, Baek’s post is the public face of an immediate private loss. It is also the clearest sign of what comes next: mourning has already moved from a tribute online to the formal final arrangements now in place.
