In 1994, using the stage name Yoo Chae-yeong, she became one of the original members of the popular K-pop group, Cool. She initially attracted media attention for sporting a shaved head, which at the time was a bold hairstyle rarely seen on female South Korean celebrities. Unfortunately, she left Cool and endured unsuccessful stints with a number of bands before making her debut as a solo singer in 1999. However, she did not release an album until after another decade, in 2009. In her actress career, Yoo appeared in supporting roles in movies and television dramas, notably in the comedy film Sex Is Zero (2002) and its sequel Sex Is Zero 2(2007). She gained huge popularity when she became a radio host for the MBC Program Good Weekend, It’s Kim Kyung-sik and Yoo Chae-yeong, known for her quick wit and self-deprecating humor.
Yoo Chae-yeong’s Married Life
In September 2008, Yoo Chae-yeong got married to a businessman named Kim Joon-hwan. At the KBS2 Comedy Show Hyeonryal Fall, which was broadcasted in August 2009, about one year after the marriage, Yoo Chae-yeong said, “I met my husband at the age of 20 and I liked it alone. I was in the relationship for 10 years and then went and proposed.”
Cause of Death – Gastric Cancer
In October 2013, Yoo was diagnosed with gastric cancer. She continued her career in broadcasting without expressing her intentions regarding the battle with cancer. She had been battling with cancer for nine months before she passed away at the age 41, on July 24th, 2014, in the morning. A spokesperson for the agency (105 Entertainment) told reporters, “Yoo Chae-yeong had been battling against cancer since October last year, but we are sad to announce that she passed away this morning at 8 am at Seoul’s Severance Hospital. Her husband and family were at her side during all this time. Please remember how bright and entertaining she was.” Meanwhile, fellow celebrities, including singer and songwriter Joo Young-hoon, comedian Kim Kyung-jin, and singer and actor Ha Dong-hoon expressed their sorrow on social networking services. Yoo did not make a public appearance after performing at the Revival 1990′s Night Concert in Seoul, last September. Yoo’s family kept her illness private until Monday, three days prior to her death.
Yoo Chae-yeong’s Funeral
In the episode, of MBC’s Section TV Entertainment News, that was aired on July 27th, stars were seen attending the funeral service of singer and actress, Yoo Chae-yeong. It was an extremely sad day for everyone in attendance and as Yoo Chae-yeong was loved by many, there were numerous attendees. A Korean singer, Kim Jang-hoon who attended the funeral said in an interview, “It’s all the more saddening because Chae-yeong was just a nice girl.” Kim Sung-soo, who performed with her when Yoo Chae-yeong was a fellow member of the group Cool, said, “It’s so sad and I feel so sorry.” Yoo Chae-yeong was buried at Seoul Memorial Park on July 27th, 2014.
