Korean celebrities who have passed away in recent years

Photo by: Award-winning actress Kim Sae-ron passed away at age 24 in Seoul, allegedly in suicide. Police found no foul play or note left by Kim, according to the outlets. In 2022, Kim Sae-ron was involved in a drunk-driving incident which led to damage in several properties. Though the actress faced trial and personally apologized to the public and store owners affected, with financial compensation, Kim Sae-ron struggled to recover financially and was also scrutinized online. She has been an actress since age 9 and has appeared in several dramas and movies including The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim, Leverage, Ordinary People, Hi! School - Love On, and film A Brand New Life among others.

Kim Rieul, born Kim Jong-won, was a renowned South Korean fashion designer celebrated for modernizing the traditional hanbok, Korea's national attire. He gained international acclaim for his innovative designs, notably dressing K-pop superstars BTS and MONSTA X in contemporary hanbok-inspired outfits. In 2025, Kim Rieul passed away at the age of 32. His body was discovered outside his parents' apartment in Namwon, South Korea. Initial investigations suggest the possibility of suicide, though authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of death.

Lee Yoo-joo was a prominent South Korean yoga instructor, celebrated for her expertise and contributions to the wellness community. She gained widespread recognition through her appearances on the popular South Korean reality show Infinite Challenge. Lee Yoo-joo passed away in 2025 at the age of 35. Her death was confirmed by her yoga studio, Yogaum, which expressed deep sorrow over her untimely passing.

Fans of K-pop group ASTRO were left devastated with the demise of Moonbin. The 25-year-old idol passed away in 2023. He reportedly died by suicide at his residence in Gangnam, Seoul. Hiss passing deeply affected fans and the entertainment industry, highlighting the pressures faced by K-pop idols. His family, including his sister Moon Sua, a member of the girl group Billlie, and his ASTRO bandmates, mourned his loss.

Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun shocked everyone with his untimely passing. He had recently been involved in an alleged drug investigation, which he denied, claiming he was deceived. In late 2023, the 48-year-old actor was found lifeless in a car parked in a Seoul park. His wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, reportedly made a distressing call after discovering a note that seemed to be a farewell message from him. Lee Sun-kyun leaves behind his wife and two children.

In 2023, actress Jung Chae-yul was found dead at her home while still in the midst of filming a Korean drama.
In the days leading up to her death, Jung Chae-yul shared a series of monochrome photos on her Instagram, including images of herself sipping a drink and listening to music. One photo featured her holding a wine bottle in a mirror selfie. These posts have since gone viral, with fans expressing their shock and offering condolences. Jung Chae-yul was best known for her role in the Netflix series "Zombie Detective" and was in the midst of filming her upcoming drama, "Wedding Impossible," at the time of her passing.

Haesoo was a 29-year-old South Korean trot singer who brought modern flair to the genre. She was found deceased in her hotel room in 2023. The police discovered a suicide note at the scene, leading them to suspect suicide as the cause of death. Born in 1993, Haesoo debuted as a trot singer in 2019 and had recently appeared on KBS 2TV shows 'Immortal Songs' and 'Boss in the Mirror.'

In 2023, the South Korean film industry lost one of its prized actors, Na Chul. It was reported that he passed away due to health issues. According to reports the actor was receiving medical care after battling a sudden health complication. Na Chul was popularly known for his performance in 'Weak Class Hero 1', 'Vincenzo' and 'Little Women'.

Park Soo-ryun was a 29-year-old South Korean actress renowned for her role in the television series 'Snowdrop,' tragically passed away in 2023. Reports indicate that she fell down a flight of stairs while returning home, leading to a fatal injury. Despite immediate medical attention, Park was declared brain-dead. In accordance with her family's wishes, her organs were donated to those in need

South Korean actor Song Jae-lim, a former model who rose to prominence in K-dramas, passed away in his Seoul residence back in 2024. His 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. A police official reported no evidence of foul play was found at the scene, and a note was discovered in the apartment. He gained prominence with his role in the 2012 drama 'Moon Embracing the Sun' and appeared in various television series and films, including 'Queen Woo' and the reality show 'We Got Married.'

South Korean actor Park Min-jae died in 2024 at the age of 32 from cardiac arrest. He was on a tour in China at the time. He was recognized for his roles in several popular K-dramas, including 'Little Women,' 'The Korea-Khitan War,' and 'Bo-ra! Deborah.'

Shin Hae-ri was a South Korean model known for her participation in the 2012 Miss Korea Gyeongnam pageant. She later became a successful racing model. She passed away in 2024 at the age of 32. The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed.

South Korean singer Park Boram passed away at age 30 in Guri-si, South Korea. Autopsy report found that she died from acute alcohol intoxication. She is remembered for her songs in K-drama soundtracks including "Please say something, even though it is a lie," "Falling," "Hyehwa-dong," "When I Look at You," among others.

Veteran South Korean actress Kim Soo-mi passed away in 2024 at the age of 75 due to cardiac arrest. She is remembered for her roles in Behind Every Star, Man in the Kitchen, Band of Sisters, The Legendary Witch, Ohlala Couple, among others.

South Korean actress Park Ji-ah passed away in 2024 at the age of 52. After battling a stroke, the actress tragically passed away. Park Ji-ah was well known for playing the role of Song Hye Kyo's mother in 'The Glory.'

Korean singer Choi Sung-bong, who sprung to fame after placing second on 'Korea's Got Talent,' has died by suicide, at age 33. He gained internet fame in 2011 with a performance on 'Korea's Got Talent,' but his career took a controversial turn in 2021 when he confessed to deceiving fans by falsely claiming he had cancer in order to raise money.

Comedian Lee Ji-su passed away in 2023 at the age of 30. Prior to her death, she had been hospitalized due to a high fever and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and nephritis. After being discharged, she returned home, but lost contact with her family. Her body was later discovered at her residence.

Kim Jong-hyun better known as Jonghyun, was a South Korean singer, songwriter, and a member of the popular K-pop group SHINee. He passed away in 2017, at the age of 27. Jonghyun was found in his apartment in Seoul, and his death was ruled as a suicide, with reports indicating that he had suffered from severe depression.

Goo Hara, was a South Korean singer, actress, and member of the K-pop girl group KARA. She passed away in 2019, at the age of 28. She was found dead in her apartment in Seoul, and her death was later ruled as a suicide. Goo Hara had faced various personal challenges throughout her life, including a public legal battle with her ex-boyfriend and struggles with mental health. She had previously attempted suicide in 2019 but had been recovering and speaking openly about her emotional struggles. Despite her bright public image, she battled pressures from her career, the media, and cyberbullying.

Sulli, whose real name was Choi Jin-ri, was a South Korean singer, actress, and model, best known for being a member of the girl group f(x). She passed away in 2019, at the age of 25. Her body was found at her home in Seoul, and her death was ruled as a suicide. Sulli had been open about her struggles with mental health, and she had been the target of cyberbullying throughout her career. Her death sparked widespread discussions about the pressure placed on celebrities, particularly female idols, and the need for better mental health support in the entertainment industry.

Choi Whee-sung, also known by his stage names Wheesung and Realslow, was an R&B singer, record producer, and theater actor. He began his career in 1997 as a member of dance team ING. He eventually became a renowned international singer, with chart-topping albums: Like a Movie and It's Real. He popularized songs "Insomnia," "With Me," "Can't We," "I Thought of Marriage," "I am Missing You," among many others. In March and April of 2020, he was found unconscious after allegedly injecting etomidate, a general anesthetic. In 2021, he was sentenced to one year in prison, a probation of two years, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug treatment lectures. On March 10, 2025, Wheesung was found dead at his home in Seoul. His last social media posts four days prior to his death suggest he was looking forward to an upcoming concert performance. The cause of his death was confirmed to be cardiac arrest.

Former South Korean footballer Kang Ji-yong has passed away at the age of 37. He had recently appeared on JTBC's reality show "Divorce Camp." Fellow ex-footballer Koo Bon-sang shared the sad news of his passing on social media.

South Korean actor Lee Nam-hee died at the age of 64 following a prolonged illness. According to The Chosun Daily, the veteran actor passed away at 5 p.m. on April 22, 2026. Throughout his more than four-decade career, Lee built a respected name in theater, making his debut in the 1983 production of 'Antigone' before going on to appear in acclaimed plays including 'Male Impulse,' 'Othello,' 'Urfaust,' and 'Death of a Salesman.'

South Korean actor Park Dong-bin, widely recognized by the nickname "Juice Guy," has died at the age of 56. According to The Korea Times, the veteran actor was found deaceased at a restaurant he had been preparing to open in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Park was known for his work in television and film throughout his acting career, earning the affectionate moniker "Juice Guy" from fans.

South Korean actor Jung Eun-woo passed away. He was 40 years old. According to multiple media reports, was found dead on on February 11, 2026, though the cause of his death has not been disclosed. Jung made his acting debut in 2006 with the television series 'Banollim 3' and went on to build a career spanning nearly two decades. He appeared in films including 'He Was Cool (Tutoring the Same Age 2),' 'Bad Couple,' and 'Miss Chang,' as well as television dramas such as 'Hit,' 'Chuno,' 'The Man Called God,' and 'Bride of the Sun.'

South Korean screen legend Ahn Sung-ki has died at the age of 75 on January 5, 2026. A pillar of Korean cinema for more than six decades, Ahn was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2020 but continued acting despite his illness, appearing in 'In the Name of the Son,' 'Cassiopeia,' and 'Hansan: Rising Dragon'. He remained committed to both his craft and charitable work throughout his treatment, once saying that "abruptly abandoning a project is more painful than the ordeal of illness," a testament to his lifelong dedication to filmmaking.

South Korean actor Lee Sang-bo has died at the age of 44. Before his death, he was represented by Korea Management Group (KMG), home to actors including Ahn Jae-mo and Lee Soo-kyung. Lee made his acting debut in 2006 and built a career spanning nearly two decades, appearing in several K-dramas such as 'Rugal,' 'Private Lives,' and 'Elegant Empire.'

South Korean singer Lim Young-ho, professionally known as Y-Story, has passed away at 49. His longtime girlfriend shared the heartbreaking news in July 15, 2026 and a touching farewell message on his social media account. He debuted in 2009 with the song "Whispher" and also released trackes "Sehwa Beach," "Spring Scent," and "One's Youth," among others.