Lee Eol, who famously starred in Stove League, has died at the age of 58, his agency confirmed.
The South Korean TV and film industry was left shocked again after another veteran actor unexpectedly died.
The Kyunghyang Shinmun shared a statement from Lee Eol’s agency, Starit Entertainment, confirming the untimely death of the actor on the morning of May 26.
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Lee Eol’s Cause of Death
Initial reports suggested that he died of natural causes. But according to the official statement, Lee Eol’s cause of death was due to esophageal cancer.
“After battling throat cancer, Lee Eol passed away this morning,” it said.
The actor has been laid to rest at Seoul Medical Center. His family, meanwhile, will hold a funeral for him on May 28.
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The news outlet added that he had been enduring the dreaded illness since 2021 following the conclusion of Voice 4.
According to the National Cancer Institute, esophageal cancer is a type of cancer in which malignant cells form in the tissues of a patient’s esophagus. Most people who are diagnosed with the disease have a history of smoking, heavy alcohol use, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Among the signs and symptoms of the dreaded illness include weight loss, pain behind the breastbone, indigestion, painful swallowing, and a lump under the skin.
This type of cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths around the globe.
Lee Eol’s Legacy Revisited
Ten years after debuting as a theater actor, Lee Eol made his big-screen debut in 1993 through The End of a Short Trip.
Since then, he began appearing in more films like Man of 49 Days, Waikiki Brothers, Addicted, Spring Bears Love, The Red Shoes, Insadong Scandal, and most recently, The Policeman’s Lineage.
He also collected several dramas under his belt: Beijing My Love, Hot Stove League, 18 Again, Love Scene Number, and Move to Heaven.
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