On November 12, Song Jae Rim was found deceased at his home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. A friend who had plans to meet him for lunch went to his house, found him unresponsive, and called the police. Although police have confirmed the sad news, an official report on the cause of Song Jae Rim’s sudden death has yet to be released. Therefore, as fans find it hard to believe that Song Jae Rim would end his life so suddenly, they are speculating on possible reasons including his mental health struggles.
The Possible Cause of Song Jae Rim’s Sudden Death
Song Jae Rim was 39 years old when he passed away. Police reported there were no signs of any crime, like murder, at the scene. They also found a note that looked like a suicide note. Apart from the letter, high-concentration nicotine has also been discovered at the scene. And now the investigation is still ongoing.
Signs of a Mental Health Struggle
Song Jae Rim’s sudden passing has left fans heartbroken and searching for answers, as many believe he wouldn’t have chosen to “self-exit” without a long, difficult journey behind it.
In fact, signs of his struggles were obvious as far back as 2021. He shared cryptic images on his Instagram, hinting at inner battles he faced. Despite these struggles, he seemed determined to keep going, refusing to give up on life even when it weighed heavily on him. The signs were subtle but present, suggesting he was dealing with more than he let on.
Additionally, fans recall a particular Instagram post from a few years ago where Song Jae Rim mentioned his struggle with insomnia. He shared that he couldn’t sleep. He went live on Instagram, but he accidentally fell asleep shortly after. During his live broadcast, fans could hear his gentle breathing. The broadcast continued until his phone fell and ended after reaching the one-hour limit.
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These small moments, overlooked by many at the time, now seem to paint a picture of someone dealing quietly with mental health challenges, reminding fans that his struggles were more profound than they might have realized.
Japanese Sasaeng
Fans are not only troubled by the signs of mental health struggles that Song Jae Rim exhibited but are also deeply angered by the troubling actions of an obsessive Japanese fan, which have come to light following his passing.
This individual, more than just a typical anti-fan, reportedly invaded Song Jae Rim’s privacy to an alarming extent. According to industry sources, the fan engaged in unauthorized filming of his daily life and posted unblurred photos of his close friends and family on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Adding to the harassment, the sasaeng slanderous remarks in Japanese, such as, “Did gifts from fans become offerings to [so-and-so]?” and “Can your acting hide your vile nature?”
Although no direct connection between the fan’s actions and his death has been confirmed, the backlash has been overwhelming. This intense response ultimately led the fan to delete their account and remain silent.
Song Jae Rim’s Former Manager’s and Current Manager’s Statements
Following the news, the words of Song Jae Rim’s former manager, shared with the media on November 13, are trending. This former manager, identified as ‘A,’ who reportedly worked with Song Jae Rim for two years, expressed, “Actor Song Jae Rim was like an older brother to me. I learned so much from him while we worked together.”
He continued, “When I was considering quitting and uncertain about my future, he would worry about me and talk things over. We enjoyed working together on set, and on his days off, I’d sometimes join him on his motorcycle rides.”
‘A’ expressed regret for not reaching out to the actor before his passing, saying, “After I left, I didn’t want to burden him, so I hadn’t been in touch recently. This is so shocking and heartbreaking. He was always considerate of others and was a wonderful actor who devoted himself to volunteer work.”
Song Jae Rim’s exclusive contract with Saram Entertainment expired last year. And since then, he has been an independent actors. Recently, he decided to join established by an industry veteran manager.
“He was known as an actor with a good personality, and many people recommended him, so we signed a contract after several meetings earlier this year. We talked a lot about promotions, and he was an actor with a lot of passion and wanted to do a lot of projects.”
Song Jae Rim’s manager
Song Jae Rim had finished filming two projects before his sudden death, “I’ll Become Rich” and “Collapse: The Man Who Failed at Business” (also known as “Death Business”) which will be aired in January 2025.
Many Fellow Artists loved Song Jae Rim
Following the tragic news, fellow celebrities shared heartfelt messages expressing their grief.
Actor Lee El took to her Instagram story, writing, “I’m sorry, Jae Rim.” Singer Kil Gun shared, “I pray you find happiness there; I pray for your peace.”
Actress Yoo Sun, who had worked with Song Jae Rim in the movie “Hello” and the drama “Our Gab Soon,” posted a photo of them together, expressing, “Jae Rim, it’s so heartbreaking; I hope you find peace.”
Kim Ji Woo, who had performed with Song Jae Rim in the musical “The Rose of Versailles,” shared a picture of them both, writing, “May your long journey be peaceful, and I hope we can meet with smiles again, Jae Rim.”
Actor Park Ho San also posted a photo of the two together and wrote, “This is driving me crazy, really, Jae Rim… you were always so bright, I can’t believe it… I’m sorry, I couldn’t reach out or check in on you. I’m really sorry.”
Meanwhile, broadcaster Jang Sung Kyu also extended his condolences, saying, “Although I never had the chance to know you personally, I feel great sorrow as a fellow industry member. Rest in peace.”
If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm or suicide, take immediate action. Reach out to specialized crisis intervention and suicide prevention agencies. Help is available in the US and globally. Remember, seeking help is courageous, not a sign of weakness. Act now, reach out, and let’s be there for one another. Together we can save lives.
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