Unfortunate series of sudden celebrity losses continues with the tragic death of Parasite star
Lee Sun-kyun's tragic passing adds to the growing list of sudden celebrity losses in South Korea, reflecting the country's alarming suicide rates With societal pressure for public figures to embody perfection, his death highlights concerns about mental health and the need for support
The recent passing of actor Lee Sun-kyun has added to a series of unexpected celebrity deaths in South Korea, a nation with one of the highest suicide rates worldwide. The pressure for public figures to uphold a certain image has been widely observed. Lee, known for his role as Park Dong-ik in the award-winning "Parasite," was discovered deceased in his vehicle on Wednesday, leading authorities to suspect suicide. His funeral is anticipated to take place later today.
At the time of his death, the 48-year-old father of two was under police investigation for alleged illegal drug use and had endured extensive questioning. According to one of Lee's lawyers, the actor was upset about the handling of the drug investigation by the police, including the leaking of details to the local media.
South Korea has experienced a series of suspected suicides among its celebrities in recent years, particularly young K-pop stars, making Lee's death especially concerning. These incidents have sparked ongoing discussions about the mental health of public figures in South Korea and shed light on the intense pressures they encounter in the demanding Korean entertainment industry, as well as the consequences for those who have made mistakes.
A portrait of Kim Jong-hyun, better known by the stage name Jonghyun, seen at makeshift shrine in Seoul, December 19, 2017
Yonhap/AP reported that in December 2017, the renowned Kim Jong-hyun, also known as Jonghyun, tragically passed away at the age of 27. Two years later, former f(x) member and K-pop singer Sulli was found dead at her home at the age of 25 in an apparent suicide.
Approximately six weeks later, fellow K-pop artist Goo Hara, who was formerly a member of the girl band Kara, was discovered deceased at the age of 28. Police did not provide details about the cause of her death, but Goo had previously disclosed that she was battling depression. Additionally, in April of this year, K-pop fans worldwide mourned the passing of 25-year-old Moon Bin, a member of the beloved boy band Astro.
The strict management of K-pop idols often leads to intense scrutiny and high expectations, contributing to a mental health crisis in the industry. K-pop stars have historically been prohibited from having relationships, with some contracts even including a "no dating" clause.
"Controversies related to alcohol, drugs, and relationships not only garner attention in the entertainment news, but also impact the financial news due to the fact that many major Korean music management companies are publicly traded on the Korean stock exchange," explained Bernie Cho, a music industry executive, in an interview with CNN in 2018 when two prominent celebrities confirmed their romantic relationship.
Attitudes towards dating have gradually started to shift as fans have become more accepting of celebrity relationships. However, the entertainment industry in South Korea continues to be a high-pressure environment characterized by rigorous training regimens and high expectations from both fans and industry influencers.
Former member of South Korean girl group f(x), Sulli, who died in 2019
Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images
South Korean popstar Goo Hara, seen here at Incheon International Airport on February 21, 2018, died weeks after Sulli
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Teacher protests
South Koreas mental health crisis stretches across class divides and touches all parts of society.
The suicide rate in South Korea in 2021 was 26 per 100,000 people, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. Among OECD nations, South Korea has the highest rate of youth suicide. In Japan, the rate is 15.7 per 100,000 people, and in the United States, it is 14.1 per 100,000. Following the suspected suicide of a teacher widely blamed on the high-pressure education system and teacher burdens, hundreds of thousands of teachers held mass protests across the country in September.
According to government data, in the period from January 2018 to June 2023, 100 public school teachers in South Korea, primarily elementary school teachers, died by suicide. Additionally, high-profile cases of suicide have been observed in South Korean politics, such as the 2009 death of former president Roh Moo-hyun during an investigation into a bribery scandal that had damaged his reputation.
Former South Korea president Roh Moo-hyun took his life in the midst of a corruption probe
Paul Chinn/San Francisco Chronicle/AP
Paik Jong-woo, a psychiatrist and director of the Korea Suicide Prevention Center, has linked the high suicide rate in South Korea to social stigma. Studies have shown that fewer South Koreans suffering from depression seek help compared to other developed countries following Sulli and Goos' deaths.
Artists in the entertainment industry may be particularly vulnerable, according to Paik. "Artists often feel emotions more intensely and because their livelihood depends on public approval, they are naturally more attuned to public opinions," he explained.
Celebrities often struggle to access mental health professionals due to concerns about public scrutiny and their busy schedules. The average day for a K-pop star can be 16 hours or longer, consisting of dance practice, singing lessons, language classes, and camera training. Paik emphasized the need for special attention to prevent celebrity suicides.
Professor Lee Gyu-tag, from George Mason University Korea in Incheon, believes that South Korea's vibrant online culture is contributing to the imposition of stricter moral standards on actors and singers in the country. "I believe that the internet is also having an influence in imposing stricter moral standards on actors and singers in Korea," he told CNN.
Questions over police probe
If individuals have engaged in drug use or illegal activities, they should face appropriate legal consequences. However, there appears to be a double standard in which those in the entertainment industry are unfairly subjected to public criticism and derogatory remarks online.
Lees passing occurred during an investigation of his alleged illegal drug use, coinciding with a period of heightened drug enforcement by South Korea's conservative government. The police are facing significant pressure to produce outcomes in the midst of this crackdown.
Similar to other regions in East and Southeast Asia, South Korea maintains some of the most stringent drug regulations globally, accompanied by extended prison terms and a strong societal disapproval toward drug consumption.
South Korean police reported that Lee claimed he had been deceived into using drugs and then blackmailed by someone. Lee filed a lawsuit against the alleged blackmailer, and police received a tip about his drug use before he did so. However, despite multiple drug tests during the investigation, all of Lee's results came back negative. Following Lee's death, police have closed the drug investigation.
Lee's lawyer, who chose to remain anonymous because of the delicate nature of the case, expressed that his client was distressed by the reliance on the testimony of individuals who were allegedly blackmailing him rather than on concrete scientific evidence. Lee consistently denied purposefully using illegal drugs. The lawyer further stated that there was a conflicting version of events between Lee and his alleged blackmailers, and that the unauthorized release of investigation details to the media had caused additional distress for Lee.
The Incheon police extended their condolences to the Lee family on Wednesday and expressed regret that details of his drug investigation were prematurely disclosed before its completion, despite their efforts to prevent it. "It's difficult to confirm that the details originated from the police, as there are other agencies within the legal system that have access to such information," the police added.
South Korean legislation prohibits individuals involved in a criminal investigation from disclosing information about the suspect until a public indictment is issued.
For assistance, individuals in the US can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide can also offer contact information for crisis centers globally.
