[Sportschosun, Park A-ram] It has been five years since natural cooking researcher the late Ji-ho Lim passed away.
The late Ji-ho Lim died of a heart attack in the early hours of June 12, 2021, at the age of 65. Although time has passed, his culinary philosophy and warm life story remain deeply etched in many people's memories.
Born in 1956 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, he left home around the age of 12 and learned to cook while wandering across the country. He did whatever labor he could to make a living and built his own unique touch and culinary philosophy through encounters with countless people.
In particular, his childhood experience of searching for food in nature to ease his hunger later had a major influence on his cooking. His signature natural cuisine, made with wild flowers, wild greens, and ingredients gathered from mountains and fields, left a deep impression on many.
In the 1980s, he was responsible for meals for thousands of workers at a construction site in Saudi Arabia, and later earned recognition for his skills as a hotel chef. He then connected with the public through broadcasts and lectures, sharing the value of life found in food and his affection for people.
He became widely known to the public through the KBS documentary "The Wandering Chef." His journey across the country in search of natural ingredients and his way of comforting people's stories through food moved many viewers.
When he passed away, tributes poured in from all walks of life. Actors Kim Hye-soo, Han Hyo-joo, Han Ji-min, Song Yoon-ah, Gong Seung-yeon, Choo Ja-hyun, Song Seon-mi, Moon Jeong-hee, Lee Tae-ran, and Shin Hyun-joon, along with entertainers Kang Ho-dong and Lee Young-ja, and singer Insooni, were among the many colleagues and acquaintances who visited the funeral hall to pay their final respects.
Kim Hye-soo, who had formed a bond with him through SBS's "How to Eat Well and Live Well, Have You Eaten?," expressed her deep sorrow by leaving a message that read, "I miss you so much. I love you, teacher," which touched many hearts.
During his lifetime, Lim also spoke on television about a painful family history. Appearing on SBS's "Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy" in 2013, he said, "I have a biological mother and a foster mother," and added, "I do not even know what my birth mother looks like."
He went on to say, "I grew up hearing from neighborhood people that I was a child picked up from somewhere," and added, "I spent a lot of time thinking alone," drawing sympathy from viewers.
His longing for his mother stayed with him throughout his life. On MBN's "Eat More, Leave," which aired shortly before his death, he said, "I get emotional just hearing the word 'mother,'" and "One of the most important things in my life was finding the mother I was separated from."
He also said, "I had a desperate hope that maybe I could meet her someday," and "I even hoped that someone from my mother's bloodline would taste my food," moving many people deeply.
tokkig@sportschosun.com
