Yoo Ji‑won, 27, collapsed at the 20.6‑km mark of the Seoul Half Marathon and later died.
Race officials found her unconscious just a kilometre from the finish line, calling emergency services. A first‑aid team began CPR on the spot before she was air‑lifted to Seoul National University Hospital.
Bummy, a fellow influencer, posted a tear‑filled tribute after noticing a crowd gathering near the awards podium. He wrote, “I thought someone must have been hurt… I dropped everything and rushed to the hospital, hoping to see you one last time.”
Seoul Race organisers released a statement mourning the loss and pledging a comprehensive review of medical protocols, noting that “the safety of participants will be paramount” ahead of next year’s event.
Yoo had built a following of over 9,000 on Instagram with training videos and was a rising star in the amateur running scene, balancing her career with a Master’s in AI from KAIST.
The 2026 Seoul Half Marathon will be postponed, and a memorial service at the finish line is planned for early next year.