Pioneering South Korean Fashion Model Lee Hee-jae Passes Away at 73

Lee Hee-jae, a trailblazing South Korean fashion model from the 1970s to the 1990s, has passed away.

Lee Hee-jae succumbed to bile duct cancer on the 9th, at the age of 73.

Lee made her debut in 1971 while a freshman at Konkuk University's Department of Clothing and Textiles, winning first place in the 'Cotton Girl Contest' hosted by the Textile Association.

Over the next two decades, she graced fashion show runways and expanded her career into advertising, radio DJing, and more. She co-founded Model Line, established a charm school, and ventured into the diet business.

After retiring from modeling in the late 1990s, Lee served as a professor in the Fashion Department at Pyeongtaek Industrial College. In 2010, she officially debuted as a painter, embarking on a new chapter in her life.

In 2012, she made a special appearance at the 30th Anniversary Special Fashion Show 'Communication+30' of the Korea Fashion Contest, showcasing her enduring modeling prowess.

Diagnosed with bile duct cancer in January 2022, Lee underwent surgery and was in recovery when the cancer recurred in 2023, leading to further chemotherapy treatments.

Lee Hee-jae remained unmarried throughout her life.

Her funeral is being held at Room 6 of the Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall, with the service scheduled for 8 a.m. on the 12th.

Reported by Da-yeon Jeong, Ten Asia light@tenasia.co.kr