Yoo Go-un, Daekyo Children’s TV Producer, Passes Away After Struggle with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer

Honoring Producer Yoo Go-un’s Legacy

Producer Yoo Go-un, renowned for her cherished contributions to children’s television at Daekyo Children’s TV, tragically passed away on October 3, 2025, at the age of 45. Her battle with stage 3 ovarian cancer lasted three years and underscored the challenges faced within the demanding entertainment industry.

A Difficult Diagnosis and Battle

In April 2022, Yoo’s diagnosis came after a prolonged struggle with her health, exacerbated by her busy work schedule. A health check in November 2021 had already indicated alarmingly elevated tumor marker levels, which were found to be three times above normal. At that time, she was juggling two television programs, highlighting the immense pressure she faced.

Despite alerting her employer about the concerning test results, her professional obligations did not lessen. By April 2022, her condition worsened dramatically, with tumor markers skyrocketing from 127 to 1, 171, ultimately leading to her cancer diagnosis (source).

A Passion for Children’s Programming

Yoo Go-un began her career in broadcasting as a part-time stage director for the EBS children’s series “Fart Captain Ppoongppoongi.”Her journey with Daekyo Children’s TV began in 2005, during which she developed high-quality educational content for young audiences for 16 years. Her notable works include acclaimed shows like “Mystery Times, ””Kiwi, ”and “Classics in the Art Room, ”with the “Kiwi”program earning around ten awards, including notable accolades at the 2019 Cable TV Broadcasting Awards.

Commitment Amidst Challenges

Throughout her tenure, Yoo championed children’s content, securing a remarkable 1.6 billion won in government grants for her productions. Despite being a mother of three and facing overwhelming workloads that often made parental leave impossible, her dedication to creating joyful content for children never waned.

Legacy and Unresolved Claims

In a poignant turn of events, Yoo was urged to resign during a company restructuring as her cancer resurfaced. She left the organization in July 2024, sending a heartfelt farewell to her colleagues and urging them to remember her commitment to her work. Following her departure, she initiated a workers’ compensation claim with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, attributing her illness to overwork. She meticulously calculated that in the span between her health checkup and diagnosis, she accrued 600 hours of overtime in just 25 weeks.

In a disheartening response, her compensation claim was denied in April 2025, with authorities citing insufficient scientific evidence linking long working hours to ovarian cancer. Even while in hospice care, Yoo steadfastly prepared for an administrative lawsuit, driven by a desire to set a precedent for improved working conditions for her peers in broadcasting.

A Farewell and a Lasting Message

Yoo’s funeral services were conducted at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital Funeral Hall, followed by her burial at Seoul Memorial Park on October 5. Before her passing, Yoo expressed hope that her fight would spark change in the industry’s work environment, remarking that she had “been a happy person”who passionately advocated for what she loved.