South Korean entertainment industry mourns the loss of actor Song Jae-rim, who has tragically passed away at the young age of 39. News of his sudden demise broke on Tuesday, Nov. 12, sending shockwaves through the Korean entertainment industry and his global fanbase.
According to reports from prominent news outlets including CNN and The Korea Herald, Song Jae-rim was found deceased in his Seoul apartment. The discovery was made by a concerned friend who was scheduled to have lunch with the actor. Local Seongdong police were immediately called to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
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Seoul Seongdong police have stated that their initial investigation found no signs of foul play at the actor’s residence. They also confirmed the discovery of a note at the scene. Following their preliminary investigation, authorities stated to CNN, “Our initial investigation so far, has revealed no signs of criminal activity.” Respecting the family’s wishes, and forgoing a formal autopsy, the police have released Song Jae-rim’s body to his family.
Song Jae-rim initially made his mark in the entertainment world as a model before transitioning into acting. His breakthrough role came in the 2009 film Actresses, as reported by Variety. He further solidified his acting career with a role in the popular 2012 historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun, appearing in 20 episodes. For many international fans, he gained significant recognition through his participation in the 2014 reality show We Got Married, showcasing his personality and charm to a wider audience.
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His final project, the action-comedy film Get Rich, directed by Yang Tae-jin, had completed post-production in late September and is anticipated to be released posthumously. This film will mark Song Jae-rim’s last on-screen appearance, leaving a lasting memory for his fans.
The news of Song Jae-rim’s passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow actors and industry colleagues on social media. Actor Park Ho-san expressed his disbelief and sorrow on Instagram, stating, “This is mad… Jae-rim… you were such a cheerful guy… I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry for not contacting you or caring for you enough,” alongside a photo of them together. Hong Seok-cheon also shared his condolences, posting, “I’m sad that I can’t see your wonderful smile again,” reflecting the sentiments of many who knew and admired Song Jae-rim.
Song Jae-rim’s last Instagram post, featuring mirror selfies, was uploaded on January 23, with a simple caption of a masked face emoji “😷.” His untimely death is a significant loss to the South Korean entertainment industry, and he will be remembered by fans globally for his contributions to film and television.
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