Choi Jin-sil, a South Korean actress fondly nicknamed “The Nation’s Actress,” was found dead Thursday of an apparent suicide. She was 40 years old.
Sad.
The actress, who made her debut in 1980 as a pretty young ingenue, had been plagued with depression since her wildly publicized divorce from baseball star Cho Sung-min. She often worried about the upbringing of their two children. Additionally, she couldn’t escape harsh internet rumors regarding her financial situation.
A month ago, Choi was scandalized when actor Ahn Jae-hwan, to whom she had lent money, was found dead in his car of a suicide as well. Though Choi was never charged in the case, rumors flared, exacerbating her depression.
She hanged herself in her bathroom, after returning home drunk, according to reports.
No suicide note has been found, although the day before her death, she texted her makeup assistant with such ominous messages as “take care of (my) children no matter what happens.” An autopsy is scheduled for later today and an investigation is in motion.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Choi’s family and friends.
[Image via AP Images.]
