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Jeon Yoo-sung, credited with coining the word “gagman” and known as a pioneer of Korean comedy, died on September 25 at the age of 76. / Source: Yonhap News

Jeon Yoo-sung, widely regarded as the pioneer of Korean comedy and the creator of the term “gagman,” passed away on September 25 at the age of 76.

According to the Korean Broadcasting Comedians Association, Jeon died at 9:05 p.m. from complications of pneumothorax. He had previously battled pneumonia and lingering effects from COVID-19, undergoing lung surgery earlier this year. His frail condition had recently raised concerns after photos circulated online.

Born in Seoul in 1949, Jeon studied theater directing at Sorabol Arts College and entered the entertainment industry as a comedy scriptwriter for popular comedian Kwak Kyu-seok. He rose to fame with his deadpan humor on shows such as Humor No. 1, Show Video Jockey, and Good Friends. In 2011, he opened Korea’s first dedicated comedy theater, the Cheolgabang Theater in Cheongdo, staging more than 4,400 performances.

Jeon is especially remembered for coining the word “gagman.” Finding the terms comedian or heegeukin (traditional comic performer) outdated, he fused “gag” with “man,” a neologism that quickly spread in the 1980s and remains in use today.

In later years, Jeon moved to Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk Province, but relocated to Namwon in 2018 after disputes with local officials over the World Comedy Art Festival. He married singer Jin Mi-ryeong in 1993 and later divorced. He is survived by his daughter, Jebi.

His funeral will be conducted as a Comedians’ Association ceremony, with a memorial service planned near KBS headquarters in Yeouido, where he was most active. The mortuary has been set up at Asan Medical Center in Seoul.