The entertainment industry is in mourning following the passing of host and influencer Lee Hee-chul . His sudden death deeply saddened his close friends, including Pungja and Jinju .

Lee Hee-chul died on the 7th while being treated at a university hospital in Seoul. His sudden death from cardiac arrest reportedly shocked his loved ones. He had been hospitalized a week earlier for a chronic illness but died unexpectedly.

The funeral home for the late Lee Hee-chul has been prepared at Soonchunhyang Funeral Hospital in Seoul. The funeral will be held at 5 a.m. on the 10th at Suwon City Yeon Crematorium. Lee Hee-chul's younger brother shared a moving message on his social media account, saying:
"Our brother, always full of energy and love, suddenly began a long journey to heaven on the 7th due to a heart attack. He cherished and prioritized everyone around him as much as his family. Although he seemed strong, he was gentler than anyone. Join us so that his final journey will not be lonely and will be filled with beauty. We will never forget the precious hearts of each of you."

Personalities like Pungja, Hwangbo , Sandara Park , and comedian Jinju, who were close to Lee Hee-chul, expressed their sadness. Lee Hee-chul was also active as the visual director of the girl group Classy. Pungja wrote on his social media account:
"My dear Seoul Salon oppa, Lee Hee-chul, became a star in the sky today. I still can't believe it as I write this, but I wanted to share it with those who loved him and those who may not have heard yet. Pray that he finds peace in a good place."
She added, "His passing was so sudden that I haven't been able to contact everyone I know yet. If you send me a direct message with your contact information, I will direct you to the funeral home."

Pungja, known as one of Lee Hee-chul's closest friends, appeared with him on KBS2's 'Mr. Househusband Season 2' in August of last year. On the show, she introduced him as "an oppa I love so much" and a "real househusband of this era." At that time, Lee Hee-chul opened his Hannam-dong home to viewers, and Pungja praised him, saying, "He's taken care of me since the day we met. He's an amazing chef, though calling him just a chef seems inadequate. He also has an excellent sense of trends."

Lee Hee-chul also appeared in LG U+ Mobile TV's original show 'Trust and Tell – Let's Be My Chef' Season 2, hosted by Pungja, in November. He participated as the CEO of a catering company, demonstrating his ability to mentor even novice cooks into talented chefs.

Jinju, an actress and businesswoman, shared a memorial photo of Lee Hee-chul, expressing her sadness:
"Our Hee-chul is so handsome." She also uploaded a video with him and lamented, "What am I going to do with the promise we made to visit the Philippines together for my birthday next year? I already miss you so much. I can't let you go. Hee-chul, please don't suffer where you are."

Lee Hee-chul's latest social media post also attracted attention. On December 31, he wrote:
"The year 2024 was so difficult that I often wondered if it was okay to feel this way. Honestly, it was a really tough year for me, both mentally and physically. But I know that hardships lead to growth, so I will face them humbly and firmly, sending them out with gratitude. I will use these difficulties as fertilizer for my health! In 2025, I hope to have even better health and a life filled with gratitude in every moment!"

This message, filled with hope and resilience, makes the news of his passing even more heartbreaking for many.