Four years have passed since South Korean actor Lee Ji-han (이지한), originally Lee Geon-ho (이건호), tragically died in the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush at just 24 years old. The former contestant on Mnet's survival show “PRODUCE 101 Season 2” was actively building his acting career when he died during a drama shoot. Now, on every birthday, his mother’s grief remains raw. She recently bought a pair of shoes they had planned to pick out together, only to break down in tears when the shop assistant said, “If your son tries them on and they’re too small, you can always exchange them.” Heartbroken, she wrote, “I’m going to make my bed by the entrance again tonight.” Her words have resonated deeply with many.
Lee Ji-han passed away on October 29, 2022, in the Seoul Itaewon tragedy, at the age of 24. His agency at the time released a statement of mourning, describing him as a kind and warm friend to everyone. “He always greeted everyone with a bright smile and full of energy,” the agency wrote. “That cheerful and innocent Lee Ji-han is still vivid in our minds, and we cannot believe we will never see him again.” The agency also urged the public to offer Lee Ji-han a warm farewell on his final journey, with their words reflecting profound sorrow.
Born in 1998, Lee Ji-han gained recognition after participating in Mnet’s survival show “PRODUCE 101 Season 2” in 2017. He officially began his acting career in 2019 with the web drama “Today is Nam Hyun’s Day Too.” Tragically, his nascent career was cut short by the unexpected accident while he was filming the MBC drama “Kkokdu: Season of Deity.”
This August, on what would have been Lee Ji-han’s 28th birthday, his mother once again posted a tribute on his social media account, sharing photos of a birthday cake and shoes she had prepared for him. She wrote: “My son, Ji-han, today is our son’s 28th birthday. You once said your shoes kept slipping off and you needed to buy new ones. I never imagined that after saying that, you would never come home.”
His mother revealed that she specifically went out to buy the shoes they had intended to choose together as his birthday gift. She wrote, “I bought the most precious and least likely to slip off pair of shoes that you could wear.”
However, the process of buying the shoes brought back the pain of losing her son. She recalled the shop owner telling her, “If your son tries them on and they’re too small, you can always bring them back for an exchange.” Hearing those words, her heart felt torn, and tears welled up. She forced herself to pay and quickly left the store, overwhelmed by grief.
She then penned a heartbreaking confession: “I love you, as vast as the sky; I miss you, as deep as the earth. Please, you must come once and try on the birthday shoes I’ve left by the entrance. Mom will buy even better shoes next year and continue to wait for you.”
Finally, she revealed her unending concern for her son: “I’m afraid I might accidentally miss you, and not even have time to say ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Mom misses you so much.’ That’s why Mom is going to make her bed by the entrance again tonight.”
Even after four years, for Lee Ji-han’s mother, the day her son left home feels as vivid as ever. What were once ordinary words and a simple pair of shoes have now become an unfulfilled promise, making this bond that transcends life and death deeply poignant once more.
