The recent death of 24-year-old actress Kim Sae-ron on February 16 has reignited discussions about the relentless scrutiny and cyberbullying faced by celebrities in the East Asian country.
The Netflix’s Bloodhounds actress, who had stepped back from the public eye following a 2022 DUI incident that resulted in her struggling to land new roles, was found dead in her Seoul home, with authorities considering it a suicide.
The incident is not isolated. In November 2024, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations actor Song Jae-rim was found dead in Seoul at the age of 39, in what was also considered a suicide, after police found a suicide note at the scene.
In 2023, K-pop idol Moonbin from ASTRO, died at a young age of 25 after he was found dead in his Seoul home, with authorities suggesting suicide as the probable cause.
Experts point to a combination of factors, including the unforgiving nature of "cancel culture," invasive media practices, and the immense pressure to maintain an idealised public image. The intense scrutiny and lack of privacy leave many artists vulnerable, with limited avenues for mental health support.
Here are some South Korean celebrities who have taken their lives in recent years, prompting calls for a systemic change within the entertainment industry.
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5. Choi Jin-ri (Sulli) (Died October 14, 2019)
Sulli's brother, who was also her manager, found her dead on the second floor of her house in Seongnam, south of Seoul. He reportedly visited the house when he was not able to reach her, after speaking with Sulli via phone the previous day. Police stated that they were investigating it as a possible suicide as there were no signs of foul play or a break-in. | Instagram
6. Choi Sung Bong (Died June 20, 2023)
Singer Choi Sung-bong, who won second place on Korea’s Got Talent, died by suicide at the age of 33. His career took a turn after he launched a fundraising campaign claiming he was fighting multiple forms of cancer, which was later revealed to be a hoax. Seoul police concluded Choi killed himself because of a note he uploaded to his YouTube channel earlier in the week. apologising for his "foolish mistake", adding that he had returned all of the donations. | Youtube
7. Lee Sun-kyun (Died December 27, 2023)
Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun died at the age of 48 in December 2023 after being found dead inside his car at the road parking lot nearby Waryong Park in central Seoul. In the passenger seat was a charcoal briquette commonly used in suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning in South Korea. Two months before his death, it was revealed that Lee was booked for internal investigation over suspected drug use. | Getty Photo: Getty
8. Goo Hara (Died November 24, 2019)
Goo was a member of K-pop group Kara and she was found dead at her home in Seoul, South Korea on November 24, 2019, at age 28. Her death was ruled a suicide. Goo had reportedly experienced multiple traumatic event including a legal battle with her ex-boyfriend, Choi Jong-Bum, who assaulted Goo in 2018 and threatened to release a sex video of them. | Instagram