Lee Eon

Lee Eon was a South Korean actor and model who rose to fame for his roles in the television series Coffee Prince and Strongest Chil Woo. He began his career as a ssireum wrestler, winning gold medals at national competitions in 1997 and 1998. He then pursued modeling after being inspired by Cha Seung-won, and made his debut at a fashion show in Busan in 1999. He later appeared in various fashion shows and magazines, and also hosted a cable TV program called I Am a Model Man. He made his film debut in 2006, playing a ssireum wrestler in Like a Virgin. He gained popularity for his portrayal of Hwang Min-yeop, a naive and loyal cousin of the female lead, in the 2007 hit drama Coffee Prince. He also starred in the dramas When Spring Comes, Who Are You?, and Strongest Chil Woo, showing his versatility and charisma. He was considered one of the rising stars of the Korean entertainment industry, with many fans and endorsements. He died in a motorcycle accident on August 21, 2008, at the age of 27. He had been riding home from a party celebrating the end of Strongest Chil Woo, when his motorcycle hit the guardrail of an overpass in Hannam-dong, Seoul. He died at the scene from a broken neck and was taken to the nearby Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Many of his colleagues and friends attended his funeral, including Gong Yoo, his co-star in Coffee Prince, who took leave from his military service to hold Lee’s memorial tablet in the procession to the grave site. Lee Eon was remembered as a cheerful, kind, and hardworking person who always cared for others. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base.