Song Yoo-jung - Cause of Death

Song Yoo-jung, South Korean actress and model, dies at 26

South Korean actress Song Yoo-jung has died at the age of 26, her agency confirmed Monday. Song died on January 23 and her funeral took place quietly, in line with her family's wishes, the agency said. The statement did not give a cause of death.

Song’s death was confirmed by representatives at Sublime Artist Agency. A statement indicated that a funeral was “held quietly,” according to family wishes, and a funeral procession will take place today.

“Song Yu Jung was a friend of ours who always gave us joy with her bright smile,” the statement said, “and she was a wonderful actress who acted with passion.”

Song Yoo-jung - Personal Profile

Song made her debut in 2013 as a model for cosmetics company Estée Lauder. The same year, she starred in the TV drama "Golden Rainbow," and had supporting roles in two more shows in 2014 and 2017.

Song Yoo-jung - Personal Profile

Her final role came in 2019, when she played the main character in the romantic fantasy drama "Dear My Name." South Korea has seen a spate of deaths among its young celebrities in recent years.

In December 2017, K-pop superstar Kim Jong-hyun, better known as Jonghyun, took his own life at the age of 27. In October 2019, singer Sulli, formerly of the band f(x), was found dead at her home at the age of 25.

Around six weeks later, fellow K-pop artist Goo Hara, formerly a member of girl band Kara, was found dead at 28.

Song’s sudden death re-ignited talk about suicides in South Korea’s entertainment industry on Tuesday, particularly in the world of K-pop.

The South Korean entertainment industry has seen deaths of a number of young stars in recent years. In 2020, actress-model Oh In-hye died at 36 and Yohan, a member of the K-pop band TST, died at 28. In 2019, Sulli, 25, K-pop star, took her own life after relentless cyberbullying after she joined a feminist campaign. In 2017, a singer, Kim Jong-hyun, 27, killed himself after leaving a note saying that he was in depression. The country’s suicide rate is currently 10th highest in the world according to the World Health Organisation.

South Korean Actress Song Yoo-jung Dies at 26

Song was best known for her roles in TV shows including Make a Wish from 2014-2015 and School 2017 in 2017. She also appeared in 2013's Golden Rainbow and the 2019 web series Dear My Name. n addition to acting, Song was an accomplished model, appearing in campaigns for Estée Lauder, The Body Shop, Baskin-Robins, Heart Percent, and several other brands. Last year, she appeared in Standing Egg's music video for the song "From Friends to Lovers." “Actress Song Yoo-jung has left us. Yoo-jung was always our friend who gave happiness with a bright smile,” the agency wrote via Instagram in Korean. “She was a wonderful actress who performed with passion more than anyone else.” The private funeral was already held for Yoo-jung.