{
  "id": 4550408,
  "title": "South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo of Blue Tower and Princess Hours dies at 44",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/south-korean-actor-lee-yong-joo-of-blue-tower-and-princess-hours-dies",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T02:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/lee-yong-joo-blue-tower-princess-hours-dies-44-6351111"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo, renowned for his roles in Blue Tower and Princess Hours, passed away from cardiac arrest on August 29 at the age of 44. Chosun Daily reported his death, with a close friend revealing the news on social media. Fellow Blue Tower cast member Kim Ho-chang shared a group photo mourning the actor, alongside Kim Ho-chang, Song Young-jae, Baek Bong-ki, and producer Min Jin-ki. Kim recalled Lee encouraging him to pursue acting despite recent doubts. Lee had previously disclosed a heart condition, though the connection to his death remains unclear.",
  "summary": "The South Korean actor, best known for playing a rookie soldier in Blue Tower and for his role in Princess Hours, died from cardiac arrest on Aug 29.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean actor Lee Yong-joo dies at 44.",
    "Cardiac arrest causes his death on August 29.",
    "Blue Tower and Princess Hours roles notable."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The death of Lee Yong-joo at 44 leaves a void in the South Korean acting community, where he was remembered by colleagues as a supportive and encouraging presence.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}