Well-Liked Korean delivery driver is dead after a traffic accident

"I used to joke that I would only rest only after I'm dead…" - Jeon Yunbae.

Jeon Yunbae, a well-liked delivery driver who was known as the "Master of Delivery" and earned 12 million KRW (9,000 USD) monthly, making him one of the top delivery driver earners in the nation, tragically lost his life in a traffic accident at the age of 43. The news has left many online mourning and pointing out the dangerous working conditions faced by delivery riders who risk their lives on the job.

On the 26th, YouTuber "HimnaeTV," a fellow delivery worker, announced Jeon's passing on YouTube, saying, "He was such a bright person. I remember him joking that he'd rest only after he died, but now that we've received such sad news, I don't even know how to express myself."

He continued, "I wish him peace in the afterlife. I remember him always saying that he was in pain. I hope that he no longer suffers in heaven, can do whatever he wants, and finds comfort."

A few days prior, rumors about Jeon's death, including details of the accident, started circulating in online communities. At first, netizens were hopeful for his recovery. But their hopes faded after hearing that he was in the ICU following a serious accident, had collided with a bus, and was declared brain dead.

As more messages emerged stating that he had passed away, the news of his death became more widely accepted.

It’s still unclear whether Jeon was in the middle of a delivery at the time of the accident or attending to personal matters.

Jeon became famous and was well-liked after he was featured on SBS's "Master of Living," where he showed his life as a delivery driver.

In response to his passing, many have left messages on various videos of his appearance on SBS's "Master of Living," with some requesting the videos be taken down. Due to the increasing requests, SBS has closed the comment section of the videos. Jeon had appeared on the show in June as a master of delivery, showcasing his ability to memorize maps and find destinations without using GPS in Songdo Incheon, where he had been working as a delivery rider for seven years.

Working for the delivery service company Barogo, Jeon had no days off, starting work at 9 AM and continuing deliveries until 3 AM the next day without even taking breaks for meals. His intense work schedule allowed him to complete 110 to 120 deliveries per day and earn over 12 million won per month. In 2022, he was ranked first among all Barogo riders in terms of the number of deliveries made.

In an interview with Barogo in March 2023, Jeon shared the secrets to his long-standing career as a delivery rider: "The first priority is safety, and the second is managing your condition. To maintain my condition, I even quit drinking... By managing your condition well and establishing your own work routine, you can sustain a long career as a rider."