Former professional soccer player Kang Ji Yong, known for appearing on JTBC’s ‘Divorce Camp’ and as the cousin of singer Kwon Eun Bi, has died at the age of 36. His sudden passing has shocked fans and the entertainment industry.
Kang Ji Yong’s death was announced on April 23 by former soccer player Koo Bon Sang through social media. The funeral is scheduled for April 25 at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital Funeral Hall. His wife, Lee Da Eun, and daughter, Chae Eun, are listed as the chief mourners. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Kang recently appeared on ‘Divorce Camp’, a reality show where couples struggling with marital issues seek reconciliation. He joined as part of the show’s 9th couple, appearing in episodes 27 to 30, which aired from February 27 to March 20. During the show, he openly discussed his financial struggles, revealing that his parents had taken the 500 million KRW (~$350,503 USD) he earned during his soccer career, leaving him in debt.
“I feel like I’m going crazy because of money. I have loans totaling 30 to 40 million KRW (~$21,030 to $28,040 USD).”
He also shared the tragic story of his older brother, who died by suicide after Kang cosigned a loan for him. The financial and emotional strain led to severe conflicts with his wife, though the couple appeared to reconcile on the show.
Kang Ji Yong began his soccer career in 2009 after being drafted by Pohang Steelers. Over his career, he played for multiple teams, including Busan IPark, Gangwon FC, Incheon United, and Cheonan City FC, before retiring in 2022. After retirement, he worked at a chemical manufacturing plant, earning 3 million KRW (~$2,103 USD) per month.
Following his death, JTBC removed all clips of Kang’s appearances from ‘Divorce Camp’ to respect his memory. The network stated:
“We only learned of Kang Ji Yong’s passing after the fact. We express our deepest condolences and mourn his loss. To avoid causing harm to the deceased, we are deleting all relevant VODs.”
Kang Ji Yong was also known as the cousin of Kwon Eun Bi, a member of the girl group IZ*ONE. In 2018, he publicly supported her during her time on Mnet’s ‘Produce 48’, and Kwon later mentioned having a cousin who was a professional soccer player.
His death has brought renewed attention to the struggles he faced, both financially and emotionally, as seen on ‘Divorce Camp’. Fans and colleagues have expressed grief over his sudden passing.
Source: Naver
