Overview

• Lee Sang-yong, affectionately called 'Popeye,' passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 81 after collapsing from cardiac arrest following a hospital visit.
• His career, spanning over five decades, included iconic roles in children’s television in the 1970s and 80s and military entertainment in the 1990s.
• From 1989 to 1996, he hosted MBC’s 'Friendship Stage,' a program cherished for uplifting the morale of servicemen nationwide.
• Lee was also a dedicated philanthropist, founding Popeye’s Traveling Troupe in 2009 to provide free performances and supporting children with heart disease.
• His passing has prompted widespread reflection on his contributions to South Korean television, culture, and charitable causes.