South Korean actor Song Jae-lim, aged 39, known for his roles in K-dramas and his modeling career, was found dead in his Seoul apartment on Tuesday, CNN reports.
Police confirmed that Song’s body was discovered by a friend who had planned to meet him for lunch that day. An initial investigation revealed no signs of foul play, and a note was found at the scene.
“Our initial investigation so far, has revealed no signs of criminal activity,” a police official said. “Since the family did not want an autopsy, we will proceed with transferring the deceased to his family’s custody.”
Song began his entertainment career in 2009 with the film “Actresses.” He gained recognition for his role as a royal guard in the 2012 historical drama “Moon Embracing the Sun” and further rose to prominence through his appearance on the reality show “We Got Married.” His final performance was in the musical “La Rose De Versailles,” which concluded in October.
Following the news of his death, South Korean stars expressed their condolences and paid tribute to Song. The final posts on his Instagram account, two selfies shared in January, have accumulated over 61,000 likes. Comments on the account have been disabled.
Song’s passing has once again brought attention to the issue of mental health and pressures within South Korea’s entertainment industry. The recent deaths of K-pop idols and K-drama stars, including ASTRO boy band member Moon bin, K-pop singer and actress Sulli, and SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun, have sparked concerns about the intense scrutiny, competitive nature, and unrealistic expectations placed on entertainers.
While entertainment agencies have implemented mental health support systems, including counseling services and flexible schedules, observers note that the highly competitive nature of K-entertainment, combined with intense public scrutiny and expectations of perfection, continues to affect stars.
