First-generation fashion model Lee Hee-jae dies after battling biliary tract cancer...He was 73 years old
Jun 10, 2025
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Lee Hee-jae passed away on the 9th after battling biliary tract cancer. He was 73.
The funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital told Sports Chosun on the 10th that `the empty house was prepared in Room 6 of the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital' and that the cause was 8 a.m. on the 12th.'
Lee Hee-jae, who is from Seoul, graduated from Chung-Ang Girls' High School and Konkuk University's Department of Costume. While attending university in 1971, he debuted as a model by ranking first in the contest hosted by the Korean Textile Association 'Cotton Lady', and is considered to have popularized the profession of fashion models along with Rubina and Kim Dong-soo. In 1979, he won the third prize at the Los Angeles International Model Contest.
Beyond the fashion show stage, he has also been active in various fields such as broadcasting, advertising, radio DJs, and MCs. In 1993, he established his position as a broadcaster by hosting MBC radio programs 'Now Family Generation', 'Live Morning', and 'Beautiful Woman', and in 1995, he communicated with the public on Q channel 'Lee Hee-jae's Charming School'.
In addition, he founded the Model Line Academy in 1983 and later worked on women's image making education while serving as the director of the Charming School 'WHY NOT'.
In particular, the 1993 book 'Beautiful Woman: Lee Hee-jae Charming School' became a bestseller with 'Lee Hee-jae Diet' craze.
He also worked as an educator from the late 1990s. He served as a professor at Dongduk Women's Social Education Center and Pyeongtaek Industrial University, and worked hard to cultivate his younger students.
He began painting in 2002, made his official debut as an artist in 2010, and also held an exhibition in Beijing, China.
In 2012, he made a special appearance on the fashion show 「Communication + 30」 commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Korean Fashion Festival, showing off his unwavering presence even after retirement.
According to the bereaved family, the deceased was diagnosed with biliary tract cancer in January 2022 and continued to recover after surgery, but the following year, the cancer recurred and continued to fight the disease. However, after a long fight, many people are mourning the news of the death of the deceased.
rightlight@sportschosun.com
