Three years have passed since the devastating Itaewon crowd crush that claimed the life of promising young actor Lee Ji-han, yet fans and his grieving family continue to honor his memory. The 25-year-old performer was among 159 people who tragically died on October 29, 2022, during Halloween weekend festivities in Seoul's popular Itaewon district.

Lee Ji-han first captured public attention through his appearance on Mnet's "Produce 101" Season 2 in 2017, where he showcased his talents as a trainee hoping to debut in the entertainment industry. At the time of his untimely death, he was actively filming the MBC drama "Kokdu: Season of Deity," which was scheduled to air in 2023. The production team made the difficult decision to halt filming temporarily to honor Lee's memory before eventually resuming work on the series.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Lee's talent agency, 935 Entertainment, released an emotional statement that resonated with fans worldwide. "Lee Ji-han has become a star in the sky and left our side. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and to everyone who loved and supported him," the agency said, capturing the profound sense of loss felt throughout the entertainment community.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching tribute came from Lee's own mother, who shared a deeply personal letter addressed to her deceased son. Her words revealed the raw grief that continues to consume the family years after the tragedy. "I still can't believe you're gone. It feels like you'll burst through the door any moment, calling 'Mom!'" she wrote in the emotional message. "I miss you so much. Your father wears your socks and shoes just to feel close to you, and I carry the bag you once gave me wherever I go."

This year marked a significant milestone in how South Korea officially commemorates the Itaewon tragedy. On Wednesday, President Lee Jae Myung attended the first government-organized memorial service marking the third anniversary of the disaster. The ceremony represented the nation's commitment to ensuring that the victims, including young talents like Lee Ji-han, are never forgotten.

As part of the official commemoration, sirens sounded across Seoul at exactly 10:29 a.m., prompting citizens throughout the city to observe a solemn moment of silence in remembrance of all 159 victims. The timing was carefully chosen to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during what should have been a joyful celebration, but instead became one of South Korea's most tragic crowd disasters in recent history.