Late actor Lee Ji Han, who tragically passed away at the age of 24, has been posthumously awarded an honorary degree by Dongguk University.
The “2024 Fall Commencement Ceremony” at Dongguk University in Seoul took place on August 22nd, where the university honored the memory of Lee Ji Han, who lost his life in the Itaewon tragedy last year, with an honorary graduation certificate.
Lee’s mother wrote a few words on his late son’s Instagram, expressing the deep emotions she felt during the ceremony. “I didn’t want to bring his portrait. I didn’t want to accept my son’s death,” she began, recalling the difficult decision. “But I thought there might be people at the school who didn’t know who Ji Han was. So, even though it was heartbreaking, I wrapped his portrait in silk and brought it with me.”
She continued, “The auditorium was filled with graduates, all smiling brightly with their parents and holding bouquets. The moment we walked in, tears started to flow,” she confessed. “We didn’t prepare a bouquet for Ji Han. It was too painful knowing there was no one to receive it,” she shared, revealing her overwhelming sadness. “I even wondered if we should have gone to receive the diploma. What does a piece of paper matter when Ji Han is no longer here?”
Reflecting on the graduates, she said, “I kept thinking about how wonderful it would have been if Ji Han had graduated while he was alive. But because that wasn’t possible, it felt like a futile and meaningless thing.” She added, “Since October 29th, our family has felt like we’re just walking around without souls. Nothing seems to matter anymore.”
In her final words, she wrote, “Without you, Ji Han, Mom, Dad, and your sister just held hands and cried. Ji Han, congratulations on your honorary graduation. We love you and miss you.”
Lee Ji Han, known for his appearance on Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2, tragically passed away in the Itaewon crowd crush incident last year.
>> The late Lee Ji Han’s Mother Condemns Those Responsible for the Itaewon Crowd Surge
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