Miss Korea 2020 contestant passes away aged 27

Lee during her coronation in Miss Korea Daegu 2020. Photo from Lee’s Instagram

Korean newspaper DT reported on Sunday that Lee did not make it after undergoing surgery for a chronic disorder, which she had briefly shared with her Instagram followers.

"Over the past two months, I cried, smiled, got sick, and recovered," she wrote in the caption accompanying her last post on Instagram.

"Thanks to the help from my nice coworkers, I completed my work yesterday and could be comfortable taking sick leaves now."

Lee’s friends and relatives showed their condolences after her death. MBN TV network, where Lee had been working, said: "It’s shocking and sorrowful for not only Lee’s family members but also us."

Lee was the runner-up at the Miss Korea Daegu 2020 contest before competing in the Miss Korea 2020 competition. After participating in the beauty pageant, she worked as an anchor woman.