SHOWBIZ: Running influencer KAIST, AI researcher Yoo Ji-won dies after collapsing near finish line

Seoul: Influential running enthusiast and AI researcher Yoo Ji-won passed away during the Seoul Race half-marathon on October 11th at the age of 25. Koreaboo reported that she collapsed just 500 meters from the finish line. Despite immediate medical assistance and transport to a nearby hospital, she could not be revived. Yoo managed to maintain a demanding academic career as a semiconductor researcher at prestigious Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) while building a substantial online following as an endurance athlete under the handle @mta1n_0ne, amassing over 8,000 Instagram followers.

Apart from her digital presence, she excelled in running, winning the women's masters 10km title at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon in April 2026 and finishing the Seoul Marathon in March 2026 with a time of 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 32 seconds. The incident occurred at 8:49 AM at the 20.6km mark of the 21.1km course. Race officials released a statement expressing their deepest sympathies to her family and fellow runners, vowing to review safety protocols and take appropriate measures.

A cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Social media was flooded with tributes following the news. Content creator and friend Bummy recounted the tragic moment he realized something was wrong near the race's end: "At the finish line of the Seoul Race, I saw a crowd gathering and thought someone must have been hurt. As soon as I crossed the finish line, I looked for you at the awards podium.

But then came the realisation and I couldn't believe what had happened." Her final Instagram post, displaying her lap times from a 10km run on October 4th, has since become a virtual memorial where fans and friends are expressing their grief.