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From Heartbreak to Hope: Lee Kwang-ki’s Inspiring Story of Giving Back

Ricky H. Wages
November 14, 2025
Credit: YouTube
Credit: YouTube

On November 11, Lee bared his soul in a YouTube video, reflecting on the loss of his seven-year-old son, Seok Kyu, who passed away from swine flu in 2009. He admitted that the grief was overwhelming and that he had been angry at the world, burdened by the crushing guilt of not being able to protect his child.

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Credit: KAY’s Museum
Credit: KAY’s Museum

During the funeral, many offered words of comfort, telling Lee that his son had become an angel. But to him, those words felt empty. He confessed that he could not find solace in the thought, wondering what meaning there was in his son being an angel if he could no longer be by his side. Lee added that, at the time, he had little faith, and even the most sincere condolences could not reach through the depth of his grief.

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Credit: KAY’s Museum

Lee Kwang Ki revealed that even after the funeral, he struggled with unbearable sorrow. One night, unable to wake his sleeping family, he stepped out onto the balcony, where waves of sadness and guilt suddenly overwhelmed him. He admitted it was a dangerously impulsive moment, saying that if he had taken just one more step forward, things could have ended tragically. His voice trembled as he recalled how, in that darkness, a glimmer of light appeared — a particularly bright star that caught his eye and helped him regain his composure.

Credit: KAY’s Museum

Lee recalled seeing a star that shone with extraordinary brilliance and wondered if it might be the angel people spoke of — his son watching over him from the night sky. His eyes filled with emotion as he shared that gazing at that star gave him an overwhelming sense of peace and connection he had never felt before. In that moment, he came to a realization: death is not the end, but a beginning — the root from which new life can grow, nurturing those who remain.?

Credit: KAY’s Museum

Lee’s path from grief to generosity began with an unexpected turning point — his son’s life insurance payout. He recalled that when his wife saw the deposit, she broke down in tears, and they both questioned the meaning of the money when their child was gone. At that very moment, news of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti appeared on their television, stirring something profound within Lee.?

Credit: KAY’s Museum

Lee recalled that while witnessing the suffering of children, he experienced a profound realization: if they used the insurance payout to save lives in their son’s name, it would become his first and last act of kindness. Without hesitation, Lee and his wife donated the entire amount to an international relief organization aiding Haiti’s recovery efforts.?

Credit: KAY’s Museum

At first, the couple intended to make their donation anonymously, but the organization encouraged them to share their story publicly. Lee explained that they were told doing so could inspire others to join in helping. The thought that their son’s legacy might continue to grow and touch more lives, he said, filled his heart with hope and possibility.

Credit: SNS

Touched by this experience, Lee later traveled to Haiti for volunteer work. He recalled that being surrounded by children made him feel his son’s presence, describing it as bittersweet yet deeply comforting. He said the trip brought his family immense peace, as if it were Seok Kyu’s final gift to the world and to them.?

Credit: KBS

Credit: KBS

With nearly four decades in the entertainment industry, Lee Kwang Ki is recognized not only for his acting talent but also for his generous heart. Since making his debut in 1985 as a child actor in the KBS drama The Hill of Sunrise, he has captured audiences through numerous productions, including historical epics such as Taejo Wang Geon, intense dramas like The Age of Heroes, and political sagas including Jeong Do Jeon and Taejong Yi Bang Won.

 

Credit: KAY’s Museum

Lee has reinvented himself as an art director, running a gallery in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where he merges his love for art with a mission to give back to the community. In a heartwarming turn of events, his family recently expanded when he welcomed soccer player Jeong Woo Young as his son-in-law this past May.

Credit: KAY’s Museum

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Reflecting on his journey, Lee said the pain of losing a child never truly fades, but by channeling that grief into something meaningful, one can turn sorrow into purpose. He added that if he can make the world a little brighter in his son’s name, that would be the greatest tribute he could give as a father.

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