Well said, thank you.

Sad to hear about this. I'm just surprised there weren't more deaths as a result of the stock market crash.

My own brother lost over half a million dollars in investments.

Yikes... I had hoped choi jin-shil's death would have been the last tragedy for the year. I don't know who he is but I hope he's in a better place now and I hope even more that this will be the last suicide we hear about for awhile. RIP

I hope this really is the last suicide we hear for this year.
2008 has been a very dark year for the Korean entertainment

30 more days to go......I hope and pray for no more bad news.

"I’m just surprised there weren’t more deaths as a result of the stock market crash."

if the economy keeps getting worse as they say...sadly, i think this is just the beginning. many people are and will be affected by all this unemployment.

awfully sad news. lots of people including myself have lost in the market crash, but ya gotta count the blessings that still remain. but i agree, when the going gets tough, you're often within a hair's reach from "sanity". he must be under so much stress esp. if other people's money were involved. the guilt & strains on those social ties would be unbearable. RIP 30 is too young.

Thank you for saying those few last lines. You're much more eloquent than I will ever be.

so many suicides occuring... i get chills when i hear the news. i guess its more of a shock.. very sad... his friends and family must be devastated.

amen to the last paragraph.
and sigh. i'm becoming emotionally/mentally numb.

I'm not sure if anyone has asked this question and I don't mean to be or seem insensitive but I am wondering why are all these individuals killing themselves over money or poor choices made with money? I know that this happens in America as well but it just seems so prevalent in that part of the world...(or maybe its just heightened because I read this blog), not sure but this makes me wonder what some Koreans but their security and emphasis on...
I know with our economy the way that it is today it maybe tempting for people to do drastic things but this doesn't seem to be the case to the point that you hear of one or two individuals a month ending their lives. I wonder if it has to do with the societal emphasis on forgiveness and responsibility? Meaning the pressures and differences that are placed in those are in Western culture as opposed to Eastern?
I know no one really has all the answers but its just a question from someone not educated about the culture in that way...
Thanks.

this is sad and disturbing news as always...it does become mind numbing to hear of one death after another...it's like funerals are routine in the korean entertainment industry...it's just dangerous how too much fame and money can be gained and lost within no time at all...the pressure must be unimaginable...

my condolences to lee seo-hyun's family and friends...and i really hope this is the last suicide we hear of for a long time...

I'm always slightly apprehensive whenever I check Dramabeans for fear that there's yet another reporting of a suicide. Sadly, it seems to frequent the headlines as often as a celebrity going off to military service.

Also, it does seem curious that a lot of suicides in Korea have to do with financial matters as opposed to those in America. Of course, its not exclusive by any means, but much more prevalent.

really sad to hear that ..
A lot of suicides happen this year .. really sad...

It's always sad to hear of such news...I hope his friends and family are doing okay, all things considering.

I think I had just gotten used to NOT feeling apprehensive when I come to this site. Ah well. Thanks for your sensitive handling of this issue, Javabeans.

Terrible news. My condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Continuing from Nea's thoughts above,

I hope, HOPE Korea will examine itself after this latest tragedy. There have been too many entertainment suicides in Korea this year, and I have to think the public puts too much pressure on celebrities. America does the same, yes, but there is something different in Korea. Maybe the paparazzi is worse, or netizens really are more mainstream than fanforums in the US, I don't know. But something has to change, Korea. You should not lose this many of your sweethearts.

D: I hope 2009 is better than 2008. Please.

what a sad year... this is shocking to hear about the suicide things every day.
I'm speechless right now :(
RIP

you've obviously never had anyone in your family commit suicide.

I understand where the above comment (from Anonymous) is coming from, but I think Javabeans couldn't have said it better. The deceased person is the greatest victim in all of this, and I think it's much more selfish to so underestimate what that person was going through to decry the fact that he/she committed suicide.

To Nea,

To answer your question, I would recommend going to this link below:

http://metropolitician.blogs.com/scribblings_of_the_metrop/2008/10/my-stomach-hurt.html#comments

This site is excellent if you want insight into Korean culture and society in general.

I'm not even shock anymore with these suicides. I feel sorry for his family and friends, but not for him because he took the easy way out. Now they have to deal with his mess. What a way to leave behind his name, in shame.

:( :( :( what a sad year for so many familes and friends.

I agree with you..we have no right to judge them because we don't know what they are going through. my only thing is that with all the celebrity suicide this past year i hope the govt will implement a counseling program because they are looked up by many fans. Also these celebrities needs counseling too especially with their stressful lives and with the hard economic times we are going through world wide. Hopefully people who have problems its ok to seek help! it does not mean you are weak! hey no man is an island!

Aww that's really sad! I've never heard of them before but upon listening to the song you posted....M.Street has some good voices!! It's really unfortunate but at least he's at peace now and free from all the struggles.

so sad, there's too many suicides, not the best way to resolve anything, nor does it help anything at all. I just think it's so sad to die alone like that.

@ AngelSanc26

RE: metropolitician's site

If he's the same guy I think he is then I would take what he posts with a grain of salt.

He joined a forum that I used to browse and some of his posts (actually quite a few) were pretty racist.

I'm not sure if he still writes those things but at the time he was very judgmental towards Koreans (and Asians in general).

/Sorry for the derail...

#11 Nea, you will be surprise to know that suicides happen EVERYDAY, and for various reasons. Celebrities strength/weakness are put under the scope simply because they are famous - they have news value even in death, which is why it seems so common compared to the man on the street.

It really does not have much relation to which part of the world one is coming from. It is just like us asking, "Why do celebrities from the U.S. get embroiled in drugs and alcohol and die from an overdose....what do they put their security and emphasis on.....?"

Just last night, I was watching a local reality program, in which an elderly man was recounting how his daughter had leapt to her death over approx. US$5,000 (by conversion). Is that a lot in US dollars? It certainly isn't an extremely large sum of money in my country in the perspective of the average income earners, but apparently it is to the poor.

I have to agree that the Easterns have a strong sense of morality, courtesy of our Confucian upbringing. Money is something which you do not play with (due to experiences of poverty), especially that of others. For the younger generations, this teaching may have eroded , but the echo is still present, so one still feels the shame for landing others in the hot soup.

Culture can be educated in the areas of religion, food, lifestyle, etc but certainly not required in understanding why someone commits suicide. We only need to have sympathy, if not empathy.

#19, if you had (which I hope you did not), the more you should understand what others are going through. Feeling bitterness towards others in the same plight, is not going to make anyone better. Just because we show understanding, does not mean that we advocate.

We berate only if we are able to make a difference and a put a stop to suicides (which we know is impossible), so why not just be kind and hope this world becomes a better place.

Tragic and sad ..may he rest in peace ..

so sad to hear this. TT_TT may he R.I.P
I never heard anything about MSTREET b4 [ i'm new to kpop ]
I like their music anyway [ thanks for sharing the "How do I" mp3]
love their voices

sorry double post

YOu are right Dramabeans, we should not judge lest we be judged.

I saw in Arirang before that Korea has the highest rates of suicides in the world, practically an attempt happens every minute. Then, as i learned more about the culture, we cannot blame them. I'm surprised to learn that one of the main reason is Koreans are typically shy type and don't open up much. Moreover, as much as possible they don't want to be put to shame ever, which i think lead to their being shy and introverted. I think this is the culture not only in KOrea but in Japan too. They are so unlike their neighboring Southeast Asian countries (who i think are mostly busybodies =). However, Japan have embraced the Western culture and have come out of their shell. Koreans still have a long way to go. But i'm happy that they are learning english and now more open to tourists. Some also go to different countries to study. Here in the Phils., there are thousands of them.

As a side comment, i hate what's happening in the US as the whole world is affected. I just don't know why everything is connected to them? I hope the year of the Boar will not be like this year of the Rat. Even i who has a good job felt as poor as a rat =(.

"Before I leave you to your comments, let me say that I don’t usually delete or moderate my comments much, but if you’re going to bust out with “Suicide is selfish” comments, I WILL lay down the smack. Obviously if one is in enough pain to contemplate suicide, one is NOT capable of the logical thought processes that might prevent such acts. There’s no use in being angry at the suicide victim when he’s the greatest victim in all this. Just sayin’."

Finally, thank you! I wish more people would moderate their blogs when it comes to these types of things. First, I don't think it's right to talk ill about the dead. Second, even if it is an opinion some things are better left unsaid. But some people don't care about tact and respect because it's the internet and the things they're are saying are about a complete stranger.

For all the religious people “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her” John 8:7. And for everybody else “We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path” Paulo Coelho.

May he rest in peace and my condolences to his family and friends.

so Scary suicide every time,, anyway hollywood Culture different from Korea or Asia, USA is a country that "it's not You business shut up !!" and so i think they not really thinking about what others think . but it's different in asia we still have a " have to keep image, shame on You " .

this is really sad and a shocker. as much as i realize the possibility because of the economy and money issues all over the world.. i hear there are other speculations as well. such as some people going after him for money to be paid back.. aka the angry investors/stock holders.. sigh.. so sad really.. my prayers to his family, friends and loved ones during this time.

What the heck?? I heard the media isn't generally allowed to report on suicide cases in the US, because its shown to increase suicide rates... but obviously, high profile ones are going to make it on the news. But I wonder if the recent avanlanche of high-profile suicide news is at least A LITTLE BIT contributing to all the additional high profile suicides that happen afterwards? I mean, of course the primary reasons are going to be something else; I'm just wondering if this has even the TINIEST effect in their decisions.

may his soul rest in peace. he must have been in a really dark dark place to take his own life. it's not always easy to those left behind. i've had two close friends who took their own lives a few years back and up until now there's this mixed gnawing feelings of anger, guilt, sadness and yearning. there's really nothing else to do but to accept it, move on and wish that they are in a better place. my heart goes out to those close to him.

wow there are so many ddeaths this years it so sad u know

too bad ... m. street is one of my fav ballad singer. 2008 is really not good year. wish 2009 will bring more light . and happiness ..

so sad - my condolences to the family & friends. thing to remember, though is that you can always find ways to make things better when you're alive (or experience a better turn of events) but once you're dead, there's absolutely nothing you can do & often leave more of a mess behind. hope the next year will be more uplifting. thanx to javabeans for your excellent way of handling this & all other unfortunate events.

I am so very sorry to hear this has happened again. it makes me so sad for his friends and family and my thoughts and prayers are with them. Thank you for your eloquance on the comments moderating, i too am tired of people slamming what they do not undertstand.

I agree with your statement about being angry at people who commit suicide. It's quite silly and redundant. However, I disagree that they are the greatest victim, especially when there are little children involved. Losing a parent at my age, to natural causes, was hard enough. My mom had cancer and chose to fight for as long as she could, and it wasn't easy. I think it's important not to demean anyone's pain in the situation. It's just sad and kind of scary that so many people keep taking their own lives. Wow, it's been a hell of a year.

man the one year that i graduate
there are soo many deaths!! !
:( i wish they wouldn't do this
i wish maybe that i could have talked to them or somethign
even tho it is a VERY SLIM chance that i would ever meet them

i reealyy wish i could have talked to these ppl and helped atleast a lil bit

This is terribly terribly sad. I can only imagine what shame and desperation drove this poor man to suicide. Unfortunately, being a celebrity, his family will have to face the probing and questioning of the media. I hope they will be sensitive enough to leave his family alone.

Well said, I am glad you mentioned what people should not comment on. My friend did the same thing a year ago (December 29, 2008). Not a day goes by that I don't wish the person would have talked to me or anyone about what was going on to put them in such pain.
Thank you

Well said, I am glad you mentioned what people should not comment on. My friend did the same thing a year ago (December 29, 2008). Not a day goes by that I don't wish the person would have talked to me or anyone about what was going on to put them in such pain. My prayers go out to all people who know of someone or anyone who feels there is no way out.
Peace