Today marks five years since the tragic passing of actress Song Yoo Jung, who died on January 23, 2021, at the age of 26. The news of her death, which emerged two days later, shocked and saddened not only the entertainment industry but fans across the globe.
One of her close acquaintances reflected at the time, “It was heartbreaking. We don’t know the full extent of what she was going through, but she often expressed deep concerns about not achieving the success she had hoped for, despite debuting early in her career. She also occasionally spoke of financial difficulties.”
Born in 1994, Song Yoo Jung first entered the entertainment industry as a model for a popular cosmetics brand. She made her acting debut in the 2013 MBC drama “Golden Rainbow”, and went on to appear in “Make Your Wish”, “School 2017”, and “Dear My Name”, gradually building a solid acting portfolio.
Her face also became familiar to many through various music videos, including NIve’s “How Do I”, Standing Egg’s “Friend to Lover”, and iKON’s “Goodbye Road”.
In 2019, she signed an exclusive contract with Sublime Artist Agency, preparing for a more active career. This made her sudden passing all the more heartbreaking. At the time, her agency released a statement saying, “Song Yoo Jung was always a bright presence who brought happiness to those around her. She was a passionate actress who gave her all to her roles. Please join us in wishing her peace and rest in a warm place.”
Even now, fans continue to leave messages on her social media, remembering her warmth and kindness. Her final SNS post—a cheerful photo captioned simply “cha-kak,” a Korean onomatopoeia for the sound of a camera click—shows her crouched down with a bright smile. In the comments, she had warmly responded to friends and fans alike: “I miss you too,” and “Thank you.”
Messages such as “Rest in peace”, “We love you”, “Hope you’re at peace now”, and “May all your dreams come true, wherever you are” continue to appear on her page, left by fans from both Korea and abroad.
Though her time was short, Song Yoo Jung is remembered for her sincerity, her quiet resilience, and the genuine emotion she brought to her roles. She now rests at Seoul Memorial Park, her memory cherished by many who still hold her name in their hearts.
Sources: Nate