Malicious Japanese Sasaeng Fan Deletes Account After News of Death
Harassed Song Jae-rim, His Friends, and Their Families with Doxxing
It has been revealed that the late actor Song Jae-rim was harassed by a malicious Japanese sasaeng fan during his lifetime. After news of Song Jae-rim's passing broke, this sasaeng fan deleted their social media (SNS) account and remained silent. The term "sasaeng fan" refers to an obsessive fan who stalks their favorite singer, actor, model, or idol. The word is a combination of the Korean words for "private" (sa) and "life" (saeng), and the English word "fan." Sasaeng fans go beyond the boundaries of typical fandom and are recognized as a social problem and a form of stalking.
On the previous day, Song Jae-rim was found dead at his home in Seongdong-gu at around 12:30 p.m. It is reported that a friend, who had made plans to have lunch with him, discovered Song Jae-rim and notified the police. According to the police investigation, there were no indications of foul play or criminal activity, and a note was reportedly found at the scene.
The harassment by the sasaeng fan continued from April until recently through X (formerly Twitter). The harassment was not limited to Song Jae-rim; it also targeted his close associates and even their families, subjecting them to indiscriminate doxxing. The fan uploaded photos of his associates' families without mosaicking their faces, and in posts about the musical "The Rose of Versailles" in which Song Jae-rim appeared, mentioned the names of his associates, saying things like, "I dedicate the gift from a fan to ○○," in a targeted manner.
After news of Song Jae-rim's death was reported on November 12, this sasaeng fan closed their account and disappeared. As of November 13, accessing their X account only displays a message indicating that an error has occurred.
Although it has not been confirmed whether this sasaeng fan was directly involved in Song Jae-rim's death, criticism of sasaeng fans has intensified. Reactions included, "They exploited the fact that it is difficult to prosecute a Japanese account and repeatedly committed acts of terror," and "They even found Song Jae-rim's private account and harassed him."
The late actor's memorial altar has been set up at the funeral hall of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Yeouido. The funeral procession is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 14. Song Jae-rim made his debut in the 2009 film 'Actresses' and became known for his roles in dramas such as 'Moon Embracing the Sun' and 'Our Gabsoon.' In addition to films and dramas, he actively performed on stage, including the musical 'The Rose of Versailles' at Chungmu Art Center from July to October. The film 'Crash: The Man Whose Business Failed,' which he completed filming, has not yet been released.
If you are experiencing depression or other difficult issues, or if you have family or acquaintances who are struggling, you can receive 24-hour counseling from professionals by calling the suicide prevention hotline at 109 or through the suicide prevention SNS counseling service "Madeleine."
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