SHOWBIZ: Running influencer KAIST, AI researcher Yoo Ji-won dies after collapsing near finish line

SEOUL: Popular running influencer and artificial intelligence researcher Yoo Ji-won has died while participating in the Seoul Race half-marathon on Oct 11. She was 25.

According to Koreaboo, Yoo collapsed just 500 metres from the finish line.

Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the scene and being rushed to a nearby hospital, she could not be saved.

Yoo successfully balanced a brilliant academic career as a semiconductor researcher at the prestigious Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) with a growing public profile as an endurance athlete. She documented her training routines and race milestones under the handle @mta1n_0ne, gathering over 8,000 followers on Instagram.

Beyond her online popularity, she was an accomplished runner, winning the women's masters 10km title at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon in April 2026, and completing the full Seoul Marathon in March in an impressive time of 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 32 seconds.

The tragic incident happened at 8.49am at the 20.6km mark of the 21.1km course.

Race officials later released a statement confirming the tragedy.

They offered their deep condolences to her family and fellow runners, and promised to review safety protocols and take necessary action.

An official cause of death has not yet been released.

Following the news, tributes poured in across social media.

Fellow content creator and friend Bummy recounted the heartbreaking moment he realised something was wrong near the end of the race: "Near the finish line of the Seoul Race, I saw a crowd gathering and thought someone must have been hurt."

"As soon as I crossed the finish line, I looked for you at the awards podium. But then came the realisation and I couldn't believe what had happened."

Her final Instagram post, showing her lap times from a 10km run on Oct 4, has now become a virtual memorial where grieving fans and friends are paying their respects.