Song Jae-lim, a South Korean actor known for his roles in dramas Moon Embracing the Sun and Queen Woo, was found dead at his home in Seoul. He was 39. Song’s body was found in his apartment by a friend, who had planned to have lunch with him that day, according to the Seoul Seongdong police. The 39-year-old, who began his career as a model, rose to prominence in the period drama in 2012, before going on to star in other variety shows and television series.

Reports say a note was found in the apartment, with police adding that there is no evidence of foul play. His death has renewed concerns over the immense pressures facing those in South Korea's entertainment industry. South Korean stars paid tribute to Song following news of his death. Fellow actor Yoo Sun, who worked alongside Song in the 2016 series Our Gap Soon, posted a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption: “It’s too sad, it hurts so much, May you find peace and rest.”

Born in 1985, Song began his entertainment career with the 2009 film “Actresses.” He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of a royal guard in the 2012 historical drama “Moon Embracing the Sun,” and reached further fame through an appearance on the reality show “We Got Married.” His final performance was in the musical “La Rose De Versailles,” which ended in October. The final posts on Song’s Instagram account, two selfies shared in January, have accumulated more than 61,000 likes. Comments are disabled on the account.

ASTRO boy band member Moon bin died last year at age 25. K-pop singer and actress Sulli was also 25 when she died in 2019. And two years earlier, boyband SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at his home at age 27. Entertainment agencies have implemented various mental health support systems, including counseling services and more flexible schedules, but observers say the highly competitive nature of K-entertainment, combined with intense public scrutiny, and expectations of perfection in appearance and behavior, are affecting stars.

The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation. While initial reports suggested a note was found at his residence, the exact cause of his passing remains undisclosed. The sudden loss of such a talented and promising actor has left a void in the Korean entertainment industry and has deeply saddened his fans and colleagues.