SEOUL: South Korean actor Song Jae-Rim was found dead in his apartment in Seoul.
At the time of his death, the actor was 39 years old.
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According to reports, a friend discovered his unresponsive body on Monday during a lunch outing.
Law enforcement said there were no signs of foul play but said they were still investigating the cause of death.
Police also found a two-page suicide note at the crime scene.
Song Jae-Rim started her career as a model before acting in the 2009 movie “Actress’”.
However, he gained widespread fame thanks to his role in the 2012 historical drama, “The Moon Embracing the Sun.”
He then starred in several other popular television series, including “Two Weeks.” “Out Gap-soon” and “Queen Woo”.
Words of condolence poured in from fans and colleagues over Song’s sudden passing. Many fans reminisced about his time on the reality show “We Got Married,” where he was paired with actress Kim So Eun.
They also highlighted his appearances in music videos of popular girl groups, 2NEI and KARA. T
Song Jae-Rim’s death adds to a worrying trend in South Korea’s entertainment industry, where the pressures of fame and allegations of sexual abuse of aspiring young artists have led to a number of suicides. famous death.
The deaths of Haesoo and Astro member Moon Bin raised concerns about the mental health of entertainers, forcing them to work non-stop for years.
Idols also participate in training at a very young age, with most being recruited as trainees before they reach their teens. Super Junior’s Han Geng was one of the first to bring slave-like working conditions to light.
Han filed to terminate his contract with his company, SM Entertainment. He exposed unfair structures and practices in the industry, with highly skewed profit distribution between companies and artists.
In a revelation that shocked many, Han Geng revealed that the company refused to give him a day off for over two years. The female singer is said to have suffered from gastritis and kidney problems due to long working hours.
Read more: The K-Pop singer sent a handwritten apology to fans after the backlash
Critics have long criticized the industry’s lack of support for artists, especially at the vulnerable age when they sign contracts.