Han Hye-gyeong — widely known as the South Korean “fan lady” after her 2004 SBS television appearance — died on Dec. 15, 2018. Her family did not publicly disclose an official cause of death; however, her prolonged battle with complications from illegal cosmetic injections and the 15 corrective operations that followed has remained central to public discussion about her passing.
- Full name: Han Hye-gyeong (known as the “fan lady”)
- Date of death: Dec. 15, 2018
- First major appearance: SBS program Moment Capture, Things Like This in the World (2004)
- Known medical history: Illegal injections (soybean oil, paraffin reported) and 15 subsequent surgeries
- Documentary feature: Channel A’s That Person at the Time (2013)
Legacy: What Han Hye-gyeong is remembered for
- Breakthrough TV moment (2004): Her appearance on SBS’ Moment Capture, Things Like This in the World brought nationwide attention to her beauty and personal story.
- High-profile recovery attempts: After reports of illegal injections, she underwent roughly 15 corrective surgeries and briefly returned to public life, giving hope to supporters.
- Documentary feature (2013): Channel A’s That Person at the Time revisited her struggles and the social isolation she faced, keeping her story in the public eye.
Public reaction and the wider conversation
Immediately after Han Hye-gyeong’s 2004 television appearance, public interest surged and offers of aid followed. Over the years, media coverage and documentaries highlighted both her personal resilience and the physical and emotional costs of underground cosmetic procedures. Though her family kept funeral details private, her case has continued to be cited in conversations about the dangers of illegal injections, the need for stricter regulation, and better medical oversight.
Rather than fading, Han’s story has served as a cautionary example in South Korea and beyond — prompting discussion among health professionals, policymakers and the public about patient safety and the exploitation that can occur in unregulated cosmetic procedures.
Her determination to pursue a singing career and her willingness to appear publicly about her struggles remain part of her public memory. Seven years after her death, Han Hye-gyeong’s life continues to provoke reflection on beauty culture, medical ethics and the human cost of risky cosmetic shortcuts.
Photo credit: OSEN DB
Image Referance: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-entertainment/2025/12/15/AL6KUKNZGJBNPFUW4LUIHBQTYA/