Should we hold the late Seo Se-won’s funeral in Korea?

Broadcasters Seo Jeong-hee and Seo Dong-ju, mother and daughter, are discussing whether to hold the funeral of the late Seo Se-won in Korea.

On the 21st, Seo Dong-ju's side told Ten Asia, "Seo Dong-ju is saddened after confirming (Seo Se-won's) death."

He continued, "Seo Dong-ju is currently in Korea. We are discussing with other bereaved families about whether to hold a funeral in Korea, and whether to attend a local funeral in Cambodia is also currently being discussed."

According to diplomats, Se-won Seo suffered shock symptoms and died of shock while receiving an IV at a hospital in Cambodia at 3 pm on the 20th (Korean time). Age 68. Seo Se-won is said to have suffered from diabetes as a chronic disease during her lifetime, but it has not been revealed whether it was related to her death.

Broadcasters Seo Jeong-hee and Seo Dong-ju, who were in Korea, fell into deep sorrow after hearing this sad news. Seo Jeong-hee is Seo Se-won's ex-wife, and Seo Dong-ju is the eldest daughter of Seo Se-won and Seo Jeong-hee. Regarding the news of Seo Se-won's death, an official from Seo Dong-joo's agency told Ten Asia, "Currently, Seo Dong-joo is very sad to hear the news," and "We are verifying the facts with the family." An official said that Seo Jeong-hee also reacted in disbelief to the news of Seo Se-won's death, saying, "It's probably fake news."

Seo Se-won was a broadcaster and producer who was active from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and enjoyed great popularity, but later became embroiled in a series of failed film investments and rumors of involvement in various incidents and accidents. Additionally, in 2009, he was sentenced to two years in prison, three years of probation, and a fine for manipulating stock prices and embezzling company funds. In June 2010, he was banned from appearing on KBS and left the entertainment industry to study theology and pursue a career as a pastor.

In 2015, he divorced Seo Jeong-hee, causing controversy once again. A video of Seo Se-won assaulting Seo Jeong-hee circulated on the Internet, and it turned out to be true. He was sentenced to six months in prison and two years of probation on charges of assault against Seo Jeong-hee. It is said that a year after her divorce, she remarried a haegeum player 23 years younger than her and moved to Cambodia to engage in media and real estate business and pastoral activities.

The deceased had Seo Dong-ju and a son, Seo Dong-cheon, with Seo Jeong-hee, and had a daughter with his remarried wife.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr