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[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] Johnny Yoon (Korean name Yoon Jong-seung), who introduced American-style talk show comedy to Korea, passed away on the 8th (local time) in Los Angeles (LA), USA. He was 84 years old. Yoon was admitted to Alhambra Medical Center in LA on the 4th due to low blood pressure but ultimately did not recover his health.

Yoon was born in 1936 in Eumseong, Chungbuk. He graduated from Seongdong High School in Seoul and went to the United States to study vocal music at Ohio Wesleyan University. After graduation, he worked as a stand-up comedian. He skillfully defused racist remarks with witty humor, bringing laughter to the locals.

Yoon became famous as the first Asian host on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” In 1977, he was selected by host Johnny Carson (1925?2005) at the Santa Monica Comedy Club. When Charlton Heston, the lead actor in the movie “Ben-Hur,” did not arrive on time, Yoon hosted the show for over 20 minutes, leaving a good impression. Although his initial role was not significant, his excellent quick wit captivated the audience, leading to more than thirty appearances.

He returned to Korea in 1989 and introduced American-style talk show comedy. This was the “Johnny Yoon Show,” which aired on KBS from 1989 to 1990. The relaxed conversations filled with jokes achieved high ratings even at 11 p.m. He gained great popularity for his distinctive “butter pronunciation.” His closing line, “It’s time to go to bed now,” also became a catchphrase.

The “Johnny Yoon Show” was canceled after one year because it did not fit the rigid social atmosphere under the military regime. However, it paved the way for talk shows named after comedians such as “Joo Byung-jin Show,” “Seo Se-won Show,” and “Lee Hong-ryul Show.” In an interview during his lifetime, Yoon confessed, “At that time, there was no freedom of the press, and many things were restricted on broadcasts. Even if I worked hard on the show, it was often edited out.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He held the microphone on SBS’s “Johnny Yoon, Story Show” and KBS’s “Comedy Club” before returning to the U.S. to start political activities. When Park Geun-hye, then the emergency committee chairperson of the Saenuri Party, visited Los Angeles in 2007, Yoon served as the head of the support group. He joined Park’s presidential campaign in 2012 as co-chairman of the overseas election countermeasures committee.

Yoon was nominated as president of the Korea Tourism Organization the following year but faced opposition due to lack of practical experience and was appointed auditor instead. At the time, the tourism organization’s labor union protested, calling it a “parachute appointment.” Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo Jin-ryong later revealed that he resigned after opposing parachute appointments. This revelation became one of the sparks that led to the downfall of the Park Geun-hye administration.

Yoon was hospitalized in 2016 due to a cerebral hemorrhage and resigned from the auditor position without completing his two-year term. After five months of rehabilitation treatment in Korea, he returned to the U.S. He reunited with his divorced ex-wife Julia and lived together at the Huntington Nursing Center. In an interview at the time, Yoon said, “I hope people remember me for a long time as someone who lived life happily and enjoyably.”

According to the deceased’s wishes, his body will be donated to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. The funeral will be held simply as a family ceremony.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.