Song Jae-lim attends a press conference for the drama "Idle Mermaid," in Seoul on July 30, 2014. Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images
South Korean actor Song Jae-lim, who was known for his work in K-dramas and as a former model, was found dead in his Seoul apartment on Tuesday. He was 39 years old.
A friend discovered Song’s body after arriving to meet him for lunch, according to the Seongdong police in Seoul. Authorities stated that there were no signs of foul play at the scene, and a note was found in the apartment. Police confirmed that, based on their initial investigation, there were no indications of criminal activity. Since Song’s family requested no autopsy, the police will proceed with transferring his body to them, although they will continue to follow standard procedures to determine the cause of death.
Born in 1985, Song began his entertainment career in 2009 with the film Actresses. His breakthrough role came in 2012 when he played a royal guard in the historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun. He later gained additional fame through his appearance on the reality show We Got Married. His most recent performance was in the musical La Rose De Versailles, which concluded in October.
Song’s last Instagram posts, two selfies from January, have received over 61,000 likes. Comments have been disabled on his account.
Following the news of his passing, fellow South Korean stars expressed their grief. Actor Park Ho-san shared a photo with Song and wrote on Instagram, “This is mad… Jae-lim… you were such a cheerful guy… I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry for not contacting you or caring for you enough.” Actor Hong Seok-cheon also paid tribute, saying, “I’m sad that I can’t see your wonderful smile again… I’m so sorry, rest in peace.”
The deaths of Song and other stars in recent years have raised concerns about the mental health struggles and pressures within South Korea's entertainment industry. K-pop idols and actors, including ASTRO’s Moon Bin, K-pop singer Sulli, and SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun, have all passed away in recent years, often sparking discussions about the intense expectations placed on entertainers in the country.
Despite the efforts of entertainment agencies to provide mental health support, such as counseling services and more flexible schedules, the highly competitive nature of the industry, along with the constant public scrutiny, continues to affect the well-being of its stars.
