South Korean actor Song Jae-lim, a former model who became well-known for his roles in K-dramas, was found dead in his apartment in Seoul on Tuesday at the age of 39.
According to the Seoul Seongdong police, Song’s body was discovered by a friend who had planned to meet him for lunch that day. Police reported that there were no signs of foul play at the scene, though a note was found in the apartment. A police official told CNN, “Our initial investigation has shown no indications of criminal activity.” They also noted that, as the family requested no autopsy, the body will be released to them, though the cause of death will be investigated according to standard procedures.
Born in 1985, Song began his career in the entertainment industry with the 2009 film Actresses. He rose to fame for his role as a royal guard in the 2012 historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun and gained additional popularity with his appearance on the reality show We Got Married. His last performance was in the musical La Rose De Versailles, which wrapped up in October.
Song’s final Instagram posts, two selfies shared in January, have garnered more than 61,000 likes. Comments have been disabled on his account.
Following the news of Song Jae-lim’s death, South Korean stars expressed their shock and sorrow. Actor Park Ho-san shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “This is mad… Jae-lim… you were such a cheerful guy… I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry for not reaching out to you or caring for you enough,” alongside a photo of the two together.
Actor Hong Seok-cheon also posted on Instagram, expressing his sadness: “I’m sad that I can’t see your wonderful smile again… I’m so sorry, rest in peace.”
The recent deaths of several K-pop idols and K-drama stars have brought renewed attention to the mental health struggles faced by those in South Korea’s entertainment industry. Last year, ASTRO member Moon Bin passed away at the age of 25, and K-pop singer and actress Sulli tragically died at 25 in 2019. Two years prior, SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at the age of 27.
While entertainment agencies have introduced mental health support programs, such as counseling and more flexible work schedules, experts point out that the intense competition and public pressure within the K-entertainment world—along with the high expectations for stars’ appearance and behavior—continue to take a toll on their well-being.