Breaking news: Park Yong-ha was discovered dead at his Nonhyun-dong, Seoul, home on the morning of June 30. I’ll update with details if/as they become available.
I am in utter shock. WHAT?
Park Yong-ha died at the age of 32, having debuted fifteen years ago in youth shows like KBS’s 1995 Love Blossoms in the Classroom and 1996′s Start. He shot to fame with 2002′s Winter Sonata, which made him a household name and a “Hallyu star.” He used that fame as a springboard a singing career in Japan, where he enjoyed quite a lot of popularity. He had a successful drama hit in 2008′s On Air, and totally stole my heart in 2009′s Story of a Man, which is one of my favorite dramas EVER.
Most recently, Park Yong-ha was cast alongside Yoon Eun-hye in the high-profile drama remake of Hong Kong film Tian Mi Mi, tentatively titled Love Song.
This is just… awful. Horrible and unexpected. Currently they are not ruling this a suicide, but that’s the foremost presumption.
UPDATE
- The evening prior to his death (29th), Park missed a meeting with drama producers for his upcoming project Love Song. His manager couldn’t get in contact with him.
- One producer said that they had seen Park occasionally in a down mood, but attributed it to news of Park’s father suffering from cancer. His father recently moved back home from the hospital after his stomach cancer was deemed late-stage.
- Park reportedly died from hanging. He was found by his mother in his room with a cell phone cord around his neck.
- Around 12:40 am, he was with his father, massaging his father’s legs. Park told him “I’m sorry” over and over. He then went into his room, where he was found in the morning.
- Producers of Love Song are “in panic mode” because Park’s passing leaves them without a lead. Yeah, eff you producers.
- Park had said in an interview that he suffered from depression, which was exacerbated by prolonged promotional activities abroad.
- One friend says, “There’s no way to know the real reason, but when I met Park a few months ago, he seemed depressed.” His father’s illness made things worse.
- Park’s Story of a Man co-star Park Shi-yeon (currently acting in Coffee House) reportedly received a “huge shock” from the news and “is in very bad condition.” She is so distraught that there’s concern she won’t be able to continue filming.
- Park Shi-yeon spoke with Park on the phone yesterday, but thought he sounded normal.
- And the media frenzy begins. That photo is from outside Park’s home.
- The parade of celebrity visits is also just beginning, with stars coming to pay their respects to Park, whose body was transferred to a Kangnam hospital. It’s morning in Korea now, and this will likely continue all day. I won’t be posting on it, but you can rest assured there’ll be plenty of media there as well.
- His death is even more perplexing because he had made plans to meet friends later in the day.
- Park’s last phone call (or one of his last) was reportedly with DBSK’s Hero Jaejoong, with whom he’d grown closer as he gave the latter advice about pursuing singer activities in Japan. Jaejoong is currently recording in the U.S. and said, “I spoke with him on the phone yesterday, and his voice sounded so bright. I didn’t feel he was at all different from his normal self. We agreed to have a drink together when I got back to Korea. I’m in such shock.”
- Park’s last twitter message was posted Saturday the 26th (http://twitter.com/yonaaaaaa) and was about the World Cup. “We lost. But they did well. clap clap clap~ Everyone, let’s clap with warm hears for our national soccer team, who return with heavy steps. Good job!!”
- Park had just come back from a tour in Japan. The day before that (the 25th), he tweeted, “How could they know to come to the airport and see me, and at such a late hour? ^^ I didn’t tell anyone but how could they know? keke. Impressive~ Anyway, thank you for coming to see me!! Tomorrow at the concert I’ll have to ask, ‘Who came to the airport yesterday?~~’ keke See you tomorrow ^^”
- In an interview last year while promoting his movie The Scam, Park said, “I’ve suffered from insomnia for the last ten years. I’m rather sensitive. If something bothers me I can’t sleep until it’s resolved.” He added, “I’m envious of people who can sleep well. I think sleep is needed for good mental health.”
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RECENTLY RECAPPED
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i’ll never forget him as that guy in winter sonata crying his heart out and then starting to go crazy when he didn’t get the girl. always running after something he couldn’t have.
i uh. this is such a shock.
i grew up with this guy on the small screen, you know. i was eight when it first aired, and it was one of the first dramas i ever watched with my mum and sister glued on the screen.
rest in peace. i don’t know what kind of hardships he went through but … rest in peace. peace for his family and friends too. (and those damn media frenzied netizens argh).
Wow… what a loss of human life. He was so great in Winter Sonata and kept getting better! Such a waste of life… such a waste of talent. S. Korea really needs to get a grip on how much pressure they are putting on their people. Suicide is not the answer. I wonder if they really thought about it – if they would do it? The pain, the agony of losing someone like this is over bearing and never leaves those they left behind.
When I read about this on Yahoo Korea, I could not believe it.
I’m still in shock.
Park Yong Hwa was at the top of his career and he’s a truly talented actor. I know he does a lot of activities that are charity-involved and this shows that he is both beautiful inside and out. He has fans all around the world and he will be so missed by so many, his friends, his family, and his fans.
He introduced me to Korean dramas when I saw him first in Winter Sonata as a kid and I liked him so much more than Bae Yong Joon.
I cannot believe this has happened but he will be forever remembered.
Rest in peace.
That’s horrible! I’m not really familiar with his work since I never saw a drama he was in, but regardless I feel for anyone who has passed under those circumstances. I hope his friends and family can pull through this, especially his mother and his father since it seems they were already dealing with a lot as it was.
And although it may seem insensitive, I wouldn’t jump down the producers throats for becoming stressed out now that they don’t have a lead. A lot goes into producing a drama. They need investors, schedules are made, etc. When something big like this happens it causes a lot of strain on people, and probably will affect most the people who need this to happen. Maybe someone finally got a job because of this drama and can earn some income or maybe someone finally got their chance to move forward in their career because of this after struggling for so long. Obviously this is a tragic event, and people should be respectful, but keep in mind that other people have their own lives and responsibilities to speak for.
Rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the friends and family.So shocking
Prayers 4 him and his family and friends…..o…m….G..
May he rest in peace…
This is the first thing posted when I heard yet another person committed suicide (depression!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not trying to be mean but people need to stop only focus respecting the person with depression and focus on why soooooooooo many people get it! Understand the reason behind that act does not make it RIGHT! If this really was suicide because this SHI** don’t make no sense!
Oh NO….
I was so looking forward to his new drama.
R.I.P Park Yong-ha.
this is so horrible and so unexpected. i literally gasped when i loaded jb’s site on my computer. he was so great in story of a man. may he rest in peace.
My jaw literally dropped when I saw your headline, JB!!! I had to read the article 3 times for the news to sink in!!! Park Yong Ha is a Hallyu star & at the top of his career these days…it’s so utterly unthinkable, that he could take his own life..with a cellphone cord, at that!!!
I’m going to Seoul for the 1st time 2 days from now…& feel so bad!!! PYH was one of my fave KActors…
Have Peace with the Lord, Park Yong Ha…. condolence to his loved ones…
omygosh..i dont even know how to express what im feeling. this is horrible
i cant believe it….RIP…please. i hope that youre not suffering anymore. my prayers go out to his friends and family. i cant even imagine how theyre dealing with this. omygosh..im just in utter shock right now. this is so so incredibly sad 
This really gave me a huge shock, i really dont know what to say and how to express my condolence, just hope starting from now, peoples esp korean would start to learn from this and not make the same mistake all over again, theres enough in everything !!!…
RIP PYH and all the bless for the families…
this is just too much to handle!!!! my dream will never come true…so sad.
May you find peace…PYH.
WOW. this is a great loss.
i’ve really enjoyed his recent works (on air and story of a man especially). my heart goes out to his friends and family.
May you RIP, Park Yong Ha.
i’m in shock.. first word after i read the title was “WHAT?!!” i thought this was a joke to talk more about another project or so until i skimmed through the articles and checked other korean pop websites. This is so sudden since he just signed onto a new drama
He will truly be missed, He had a true talent that cannot be compared. I think i’ll rewatch his dramas.
I still can’t believe it
WHAT!?????????????..
i don’t believe this!!…
come on his carrier is really good.
my heart beating so fast.
OMG!!..T_T
and he was so young!!!!
r.i.p.
RIP Park Yong Hwa and my condolences to his family. This is awful news and it really killed my mood. He was good in Winter Sonata and great in Story of a Man. Rewatching Story of a Man now….
he seem so bright n thankful person of what he tweet!!
couldn’t believe it!! recently there’were lot’s of his news.. regarding his new drama!! n bang come this tragic news!!!
RIP!! so sad
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, he was such a good actor and so talented! It’s so heartbreaking…I’m still in utter disbelief that that happened.
R.I.P Park Yong-ha, you’ll be forever missed.
I’m in total shock. I don’t even know what to say other than, my condolences to his family & family and may he RIP. He was so young. I really loved his works. May they all have the true peace that they are seeking.
sniff sniff
Yesterday, I was so thrilled about him & YEH being together in a new drama.
And today… this? SO shocking news..
My condolence for his family and friends.
And PYH, may you finally find your peace.
this is just sad ! OMG ! his dad is about to die and now him?! who is going to take care of the mother ? OMG !
I was thinking about him last night and jockin that he was going to commit suicide ! OMG ! I was glad not to hear anybody committing suicide lately ….
dear God ! keep his mother and father strong ! OMG
let’s pray for those who survived him…
and Agencies should do sthg about their stars and depression…it’s such a vicious circle where no one is safe ! they need a lot of support ! may God bless his family
What is it about Korean culture that cause all these suicide? Its just terrible.
I just want to highlight that depression is a terrible illness. The person may look normal and even smile/laugh to make people around them feel better, but if you know anyone who maybe depress, please show concern and be very vigilant about what they do because they may not be able to control what they are thinking and dash into something that is irreversible.
I feel sorry for his parents and PSY.
@Taber
WOW YOU POST REALLY GOT ME THINKING
OMG…… what i’m hearing….. i’m in shock… RIP
Why do I feel so utter empty for a person I like because he had a deep dimples on the right, his lips look so soft I always thought it must feel like a cloud. Why do the tears continue to fall when I think this time when I dream about him I know it really is a dream. Why do the sound of my tear hitting my hands bring me comfort and my cried of angst is bring me peace. Why do I feel so sad for a person I never meet or even know? Why? because as a human you connect through your soul and the gateway is through your eyes…..RIP Park Ya-Ha
Oh my God.. Noooooooooo…!!! I can’t believe this!!!
Rest in peace…
This is really shocking.I am currently watching A Man’s Story and I’m really impressed wth his acting. I didn’t think that he’s the total opposite of his character in that series.I hope he’s in peace.
I’m still in shock. I have a test in 2 days and I can’t seem to concentrate. So Ji Sub is my favorite actor and I was watching old clips of him and Park Yong Ha today because they are best friends….IT was before I even found out that he died. It’s such a shock . sorry to his parents and to his fans and friends. He was a great actor and singer. He will be greatly missed.
i’m crying and my mind is at a standstill. i hope you can rest now in heaven. you were a wonderful and talented man and you didn’t deserve to leave this way. i hope your soul and your family find a sense of peace and hope. REST IN PEAC.E
OMG! i was utterly shocked..i cant believe it..
RIP Park Yong Ha..
OMG… i can’t believe this… on allkpop, some pple are calling him selfish, coward, stupid and some are LOLing… WTH… ok, so i do think that suicide makes is hard for everybody, not just yourself but do they really need to bash him????
so this is why so many american artists do drugs.
O.M.F.G!!! i just can’t believe this!!! truly horrible…
just yesterday i have my heart broken, now this??!! my heart is in pieces right now…
RIP Park Yong Ha, all my prayers goes to his family and friends, especially his parent…
if you say that its rumors and what nots that make the celebs commit suicide then its really stupid coz rumors and internet bullying are everywhere. if they can’t take it in their stride then its really too bad. i mean, look at hollywood or the entertainment industry everywhere. don’t they have rumors? but you don’t see them committing suicide like they do in korea?
there’s obviously something very wrong with the korean people. i feel that they’re too prideful. when i was holidaying in korea last year, the tour guide told us that the koreans are very prideful and arrogant, which is why when they knock onto you on the streets, they don’t say sorry. they’re also too mindful of their appearances hence they’d rather spend most of their salaries on clothes, makeup, accessories etc and not on food. not surprising, if you look around you in korea, most of them are really well dressed. boots, trenchcoats etc.
maybe this mean something? i don’t know.
also, yes Depression is very very scarey. I went through really deep dark depression in my 20s and I’m only 31. It’s something that happens to people when you least expect it. It creeps up on you when you think you have a hold on life. It’s not the blues, it’s something so dark , like you are sinking in a deep dark hole and you can’t seem to reach the surface nomatter how hard you try. I got help and I cope with it but sometimes I’m still afraid it might creep up again. It’s not fun but getting help is the best way to go, talking to someone helps, especially to someone that’s been through it. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, you just gotta hold on. I wish PYH would have held on a little bit longer.
My condelences to his family, his fans, friends, and everybody else that loved him. RIP
If anyone feels that they are suffering from this disease, if you want to talk, you can always come to me. I’m all ears…….
RIP I hadn’t seen him in any dramas, but still, I felt sad that he had to do such a thing. Instead of talking or promising about making a world better for K-celebrities, why don’t they do something about it? Just my two cents. I hope his family will pull through and that he will rest in peace.
I am shocked! He was such a great actor. I hope that he is now in peace.
WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
I AM IN TOTAL SHOCK. OMG.
This is so so so so so shocking! I can’t even begin to comprehend this…
I haven’t seen this guy act (yes, I haven’t watch SOAM) but this is such shocking news, even I’m stunned…Oh dear God….
RIP PYH…so well beloved.
OMG WHAt??? THIS IS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED……i am speechless
I’m so sad. I was looking forward to seeing him in his new series. My heart goes out to his parents.
I read a research paper once about how depression is a really big problem amongst Asians because often times it’s not seen as a curable condition but as a shameful disease. Many Asians don’t seek treatment and also don’t believe in using Western medications. They would rather try to get better via exercising and dieting to correct what they believe are imbalances of the yin and yang in their bodies. Whenever a celeb commits suicide over depression I often wonder if they have been taking medications or have they tried any sort of medical treatment to manage their depression. I hope they didn’t just let it run it’s course…
it is sad that he took his own life. but i think the most are the people he talked to just before committing suicide, his family, Park Si Yeon, Jae joong etc.
They must felt so guilty for not being there for him when he was under depression. If i were in their shoes, i would be depressed myself.
Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.
OMG!!! I had been out of the kdrama loop for a couple of weeks and was just checking Coffee House thread when I saw the off topic post about PYH dying so I came here immediately… that is so sad and totally unexpected. I don’t know what to make of this news .
I saw this on soompi and I went “WHAT?!” cuz could’ve swear, he was confirming to be in the series with YEH, like how can that be…??….but boy, R.I.P Park Yong-Ha…I feel so bad and sorry for him….and what his family has to go through too….
Looks like PSH depression is really serious. He should have seen a Dr abt it.
Really shocking to have him ending his life like that.
For a minute i thought this was all a nightmare! It’s just too shocking and unbelievable! now we are left with the question, WHY?!
condolence to the family and RIP where ever you are…