Death of S Korean actor at 24 sparks discussion about social media and internet culture

Didn't something somewhat similar happen in Japan with their version of Big Brother? One of the participants was a pro wrestler, and got no end of online harassment over some trivial incident, which eventually pushed her to take her own life.

At the risk of generalisation, I think some Asian countries are worse for this kind of excessive fan obsession than western countries. Not that the latter are blameless by a long shot, but it just seems more insane hardcore, especially in Japan and Korea. (Anyone remember the story of the stalker who worked out where an idol lived just from a photograph of her eye? That's unhinged).

I think the Eminem song "Stan" would be instinctively understood in Japan and Korea.

Lee Sun-kyun was never part of Squid Game. He was a cast of the Academy award winning movie "Parasite". Wrong info JT. Now give me more thumbs down marks!

“ sparks discussion” ? Just a few days and then at the next suicide again. And again.

mand more morbid curiosity than discussion.

the entire entertainment sector in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan is sick.

When will people realize that external factors are rarely the true cause of suicide? The decision to take one’s own life comes from within. Instead of focusing on changing the world, society should prioritize helping individuals build self-compassion, self-care, self-respect, and self-love. It’s like trying to prevent fires by restricting access to buildings instead of improving fire safety measures.

In May 2022, Kim was driving under the influence in Gangnam District, Seoul around 8:00 am, when she crashed into several structures including a transformer, guard rails and street trees. In the crash, the transformer broke down, and electricity was interrupted for about three hours at 57 places including nearby shops, causing damage to merchants

.....

She continued to receive criticism after it was reported online that she had allegedly hosted her 22nd birthday party, two months after the incident, at a bar and asked invitees to bring alcohol.

You can see why people criticized her.

South Korea has a suicide problem. The 4th highest suicide rate in the world and 99.9% of people taking their own lives are not celebrities.

However if her suicide shines a brighter light on the problem and results in broader social reform her death will result in thousands of lives saved.

Sleep deprivation, stress, and poor social relationships, as in Japan. leads to a vary high suicide rate in students and young folks in South Korea.

Not to be heartless and non emotional, but it's wrong to think a celebrity's suicide is whats going to move the needle. Sure it's unfortunate and things can be done to prevent it, but those who are successful also are the ones with the most resources (time and money) to deal with it. We all make our own decisions and have to live with those consequences.