Lee Sun Kyun Commits Suicide: Korean Society Is Too Harsh With Celebrities' Mistakes

The Most Painful Suicides of Korean Stars: The Cost of Notoriety and Success

Lee Sun Kyun Commits Suicide

Suicidal Syndrome

Lee Sun Kyun's death served as a wake-up call in Korean society, as the suicide rate continues to rise. Previously, the actor was chastised by the online community, his career suffered, and his film and advertising contracts were canceled due to scandals.

According to the Korea Times, the local suicide prevention agency reported that the number of suicide deaths in South Korea increased by about 9% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023, owing primarily to pressure.

According to the Korea Suicide Prevention Foundation, a total of 6,936 people committed suicide in Korea from January to June, representing an 8.8% increase over the 6,375 suicide deaths in the same period last year, owing primarily to difficulty. Economic and social pressures, as well as financial difficulties.

According to reports, the country's suicide rate will rise following the unprecedented pandemic due to economic difficulties and other factors. According to experts, suicide rates are typically low during times of crisis because everyone shares common emotions such as friendship and solidarity in order to overcome the crisis.

However, the report shows that when individuals make mistakes, disadvantaged people feel abandoned, while society is not tolerant. According to the organization, 54% of the 7,000 suicide deaths occurred in people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, indicating that deaths were primarily caused by economic difficulties and mental stress.

According to Yonhap, South Korea has the highest suicide rate among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries, a position it has held since 2003. According to the data, despite having a civil society with advanced technology, Korea has a member satisfaction rate of 36/38.

Loneliness, rising debt, and a lack of leisure time are cited as factors in South Korea's "happiness score" of 5.9, significantly lower than the OECD average of 6.7.

Society is too harsh on human mistakes

According to the Telegraph, the South Korean mental health crisis is primarily caused by high-pressure environments in schools and workplaces, unemployment, a lack of a social safety net for the middle-aged and elderly, and a lack of social security. Cultural values that stigmatize poor mental health are prevalent.

Depression, according to Dr. Kwon Hea Kyung, a Korean-American psychotherapist, is especially prevalent in people who do not feel empowered. Some of the causes of South Korea's mental health problems can also be traced back to the country's rapid modernization in the late twentieth century.

According to Dr. Kwon, these range from the strong patriarchal undercurrent in Korea, which can make anyone feel undervalued, to long-held beliefs about "shame," "saving face," and compliance.

"Korean society is not generous to people who make mistakes," said the doctor.

The severity of South Korea's growing suicide crisis has drawn attention to the critical need for mental health care.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) acknowledged in a statement to the Telegraph that the support of authorities to help limit this problem is "very necessary," adding that promoting the suicide prevention program died in April 2023.

However, victims and experts say there is still a national shortage of psychological support services, particularly linkages that connect those in need with available resources.

Mental health is still overlooked

An article in the Harvard International Review described the struggle to provide mental health care in South Korea, despite rising rates of stress and depression.

According to the report, there is a "hidden crisis on the Han River," nearly a quarter of Koreans have a mental disorder, but only one in ten receive treatment, simply because it is taboo in people's minds.

Dr. Paik Jong Woo, a psychiatry professor at Kyung Hee University and the director of a volunteer group in Itaewon that provides medical and psychological support to bereaved families, said authorities were struggling to deal with the scale. Psychological support is required.

"We have basic systems in place for people suffering from mental illnesses, but we don't have enough staff." "Reform is required, and it is currently underway," he stated.

According to experts, the country's suicide rate is "very serious" as a result of rapid industrialization. Despite escaping poverty, the consequences are an increase in individualism, the breakdown of traditional community relationships, and anyone becoming the target of bullying and scorn.

"We must rebuild our country from the ground up." The country's increasingly isolated population reflects this shift. "This makes people more vulnerable to poor mental health," the expert added.

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