Model and South Korean actress Song Yoo-jung has died., her agency Sublime Artist confirmed. She was 26.
But the agency did not state what caused her death on January 23, although several media outlets in Korea alleged suicide, claims that were quickly withdrawn.
Meanwhile, South Korean rapper Iron (real name Chung Heon-chul) also passed away, according to a report by K-pop news site Soompi.
Iron was found bleeding and unconscious in a flower bed of an apartment complex in Jung District, Seoul at 10:25 a.m. on Monday. In its report, Soompi said the Seoul Jungbu Police Station confirmed the news with Dispatch.
Yoo-Jung started her career as a cosmetic model and made her acting debut in the MBC’s “Golden Rainbow” in 2013. She had acted in two other series since then, “Make Your Wish” (2014) and ”School 2017” (2017). The model had also appeared in K-Pop group iKON’s “Goodbye Road” music video.
News about Yoo-Jung’s death came two months after the controversial death of another South Korean comedienne and actress Park Ji-sun. The 35-year-old screen star died on Nov. 2 last year. The cause of her death was not disclosed, although police suspected it was a suicide as there was no evidence of foul play.
Iron gained popularity following his stint in the third season of Mnet's "Show Me the Money" in 2014.
“We were called in by an [apartment] guard who told us they discovered Iron. He was urgently taken to the hospital, but he passed away,” the police said of the rapper's death.
“At this point, it is unclear whether or not Iron died by suicide. We are investigating the exact cause of his death,” they added.
Over the last 15 years, there have been at least 25 notable cases of suspected suicide in South Korea. In 2020 alone, at least five cases, including two screen stars and two athletes, have been reported to perish due to suspected suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, South Korea’s suicide rate is currently 10th highest in the world.
In 2010, actress Park Jin Her (“Doctor Detective,” “My Fair Lady”), became controversial for her master’s degree thesis titled "Studies on Depression and Suicidal Urges Among Actors."
