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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Mom of actor Lee Jihan, who died in Itaewon tragedy, posts heartbreaking letter  

Mom of actor Lee Jihan, who died in Itaewon tragedy, posts heartbreaking letter  

Published Nov 12, 2022 11:15 pm

The mother of Korean actor and “Produce 101” season 2 alumnus Lee Jihan, who died in the crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul on Oct. 29, posted a heartbreaking letter addressed to his late son.

Lee Jihan, 24, was one of the 157 people including 26 foreigners who died during the Halloween celebration in Itaewon, a multicultural district that is home to many bars, restaurants and shops.

Lee Jihan's mother posted these photos on his Instagram account on Nov. 11 along with a letter (Instagram)

Itaewon, Seoul is secured by the police after the tragedy (Screenshot from Gennie Kim's video)

Itaewon, Seoul (Screenshot from Google Maps)

The number of people who died from the horrific tragedy rose by one from 156 to 157 on Nov. 11 as the Korean government announced that a soldier was added to the tally.

Using his son’s Instagram account, Lee Jihan’s mother wrote a letter and posted it on Nov. 11.

At the time of his death, Lee Jihan was part of the upcoming drama “Season of Kkokdu,” starring actress Im Soo-hyang and actor Kim Jung-hyun. In the drama, he took the role of Im Soo-hyang former boyfriend.

“I write this letter hoping my son can read this somewhere. I want to spread to everyone so that nothing like this ever happens to anyone again,” Lee Jihan’s mother wrote along with his photos as a baby and actor.

She added, “You went through so much before filming for ‘Season of Kkokdu’ began. You worked out daily and I was always so heartbroken when you asked, ‘Mother, can I eat this?’ because you were on a diet I still cannot believe what happened because it’s so absurd and preposterous,” the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

“God, please take me instead, please return him. My son, stay there without pain, please be safe. Mom will follow,” she added.

The funeral for Lee Jihan was held on Nov. 1.

According to Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, besides the 157 who died, 197 people were injured including 32 who were seriously injured.

Related Tags

ITAEWON CROWD CRUSH Lee Jihan Itaewon Itaewon stampede
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