Remembering Saebyeok, The Beautiful YouTuber Who Passed Away After Battling Illness

Beauty creator Saebyeok (also known as Dawn Lee and Lee Jeong Joo) passed away five years ago.

May 30, 2026, marks the fifth anniversary of the late Saebyeok’s death. She died on May 30, 2021, after battling blood cancer (lymphoma) at the age of 30.

Active as a beauty creator on her YouTube channel, the late Saebyeok shared various content, including makeup tutorials, cosmetic recommendations and reviews, and daily life videos. With about 600,000 subscribers, she revealed her lymphoma diagnosis in 2019, which deeply saddened her followers.

She shared her fight with cancer through videos, receiving much encouragement while showing her determination to regain her health and move forward. Notably, she bravely documented the sensitive process of chemotherapy and hair loss, hoping to convey positive energy and courage.

A month before her death, she posted on social media, “Will the weather be like this when I get out of the hospital?”—a message that still resonates deeply. Ultimately, she passed away during her battle with the illness.

At the time, her agency said, “Our long-time shining and precious friend Saebyeok, Lee Jeong Joo, became a star this morning. We will never forget her courage and spirit, as she never lost hope despite the long fight. Our Saebyeok, we will pray that you won’t be lonely on your journey. We will remember you forever.”

Tributes continue to be paid in her memory. On her first death anniversary in January 2022, her boyfriend Min Geon wrote on what would have been her 32nd birthday, “Dear Jeong Joo, happy birthday in heaven. Though I couldn’t fill your birthday with laughter, I hope the tears I shed today don’t dim your happiness up there, and that you had a joyful birthday.”

The final post she left on social media, “Will the weather be like this when I get out of the hospital?” still draws many comments from those who continue to miss her.