"Peacefully, Not Alone When He Left" The Last Appearance of Lee Oisoo as Told by His Son

by Lim Juhyeong

Published 26 Apr.2022 10:21(KST)

Updated 26 Apr.2022 14:06(KST)

On the 25th, novelist Lee Oisoo's son, Lee Han-eol, said about the deceased, "He passed away without being lonely." / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Novelist Lee Oisoo, who had been battling a cerebral hemorrhage, passed away on the 25th. His son, film director Lee Han-eol, shared about his father's final moments, saying, "He closed his eyes peacefully."

On the 26th, Lee wrote on his Facebook, "My father passed away on the 25th. Surrounded by family members at his bedside, he left without loneliness," expressing these sentiments.

He continued, "As the founder of 'Jonbeo,' he worked very hard on rehabilitation, but it is so unfortunate that he could not return to be with you all and was called to heaven," adding, "It feels like if I woke him now, he would get up, but he is sleeping so deeply that I cannot do that," revealing his sorrow.

He also said, "There are beloved names who went before him, so they will warmly welcome him," and "The prayers you sent have become love and filled his heart, so he will be able to embrace you with a warm heart," he added.

The family of Lee Oisoo announced that he passed away around 8 p.m. the previous day. Earlier, Lee had been hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital after suffering pneumonia as a post-COVID-19 complication since early last month.

Lee Oisoo was diagnosed with stage 2 stomach cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery. In April 2020, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and received rehabilitation treatment, continuing his battle with illness over several years.

Author Lee Oisoo / Photo by Asia Economy DB

When he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014, he posted on his Twitter account, "I am entering a long battle. The test results revealed a more serious condition than expected," and "I pray for the day I can freely communicate with you all again, and I will live firmly loving everything that comes to me," expressing his determination.

Born in 1946 in Hamyang, Gyeongnam, he entered Chuncheon National University of Education in 1965 but dropped out seven years later in 1972. That same year, he debuted in the literary world with the short story "Apprentice Children" in the Gangwon Ilbo New Year's Literary Contest.

He went on to actively produce various literary works, including novels such as "Wild Dog," "Sword," "Jangsu Sky Beetle," and "Byeokogeumhakdo," as well as poetry collections like "Wildflower, Wine Glass, Butterfly" and "Paintings Also Become Fossils." He also gained attention from younger readers through essays like "Rain in My Sleep" and "Haak Haak."

In particular, Lee Oisoo devoted much effort to social media activities such as Twitter. With about 1.7 million followers, he was nicknamed the "Twitter President" and openly shared his political views on the platform. In a 2013 press conference, he expressed strong affection for Twitter, saying, "Twitter is a space for reading the flow of the world, a space for communication, and a space for my drafts." Even while battling illness, he publicly supported Lee Jae-myung, then the Democratic Party presidential candidate, in January.

Meanwhile, the late Lee's funeral hall has been set up at the Hoban Hospital Funeral Hall in Chuncheon. The funeral procession is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on the 29th, and the burial site will be at Chuncheon Anshikwon.