The sudden death of popular South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron on February 16 has drawn attention to one of South Korea’s biggest societal, and arguably general, problems—suicide.
Despite South Korea’s extraordinary economic progress in recent decades and a relatively stable political system (with some exceptions, such as the recently ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol), the high number of suicides reveals that even successful nations have significant shortcomings. This alarming negative trend, unfortunately, is not abating but rather becoming more pronounced.
Grim Statistics
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024, South Korea has the fourth-highest suicide rate in the world and the highest among the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). While the global suicide rate is declining, South Korea is experiencing the opposite trend—the number of suicides has nearly doubled over the past two decades. Specifically, approximately 13,000 South Koreans take their own lives violently each year. Government statistics indicate that an average of 37.5 people die by suicide daily, meaning one violent death occurs every 39 minutes.
With 25 deaths per 100,000 people, suicide is the sixth leading cause of death, just behind cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, the suicide rate is highest among the elderly. The annual rate among those in their 80s is 69.8, while for individuals in their 40s and 50s, it stands at 48.6. However, the biggest concern is the rise in suicides among young people. Since 2011, suicide has been the leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 24.
Suicides Among Celebrities
The issue of high suicide rates among young people, including young celebrities, was highlighted by the death of actress Kim Sae-ron. Although detailed statistics are lacking, South Korea appears to lead the world in celebrity suicides. Due to the global success of the South Korean entertainment industry, news of suicides involving famous actors, singers, and other entertainers reaches every corner of the world.
A few notable figures who have taken their own lives in recent years include Jonghyun, the lead vocalist of the boy band SHINee (aged 27, December 2017); singer and actress Sulli (aged 25, October 2019); singer and actress Goo Hara (aged 28, November 2019); and actor Lee Sun-kyun (aged 48, December 2023), best known for his lead role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite. Even politicians are not immune. In 2009, former President Roh Moo-hyun (aged 62) died by suicide when his family and he were under investigation for corruption. Similarly, prominent politician Roh Hoe-chan, founder of the liberal Justice Party, died by suicide in 2018 at age 61 while facing a scandal over illegal fundraising.
The Case of Kim Sae-ron
The death of Kim Sae-ron at just 24 years old is particularly tragic. The actress rose to fame as a child at the age of 10 in the 2010 film The Man from Nowhere and later starred in South Korean TV dramas (K-dramas). She was hailed as South Korea’s most promising actress, but everything changed overnight. In May 2022, she caused a car accident while driving under the influence, instantly becoming one of the most despised figures in the country. Kim was driving drunk in the Gangnam district of Seoul when she crashed into multiple objects, including a transformer, guardrails, and street trees. The accident caused a power outage for three hours at 57 locations, including various stores.
Although she expressed deep remorse the very next day and paid a fine of 20 million won (approximately $13,900), the media and public never forgave her. On the contrary, they relentlessly attacked her. She became a target of media and online harassment, which continued until her recent suicide. She was forced to use almost all of her earnings from acting to compensate those affected by the accident, while her film production company, Gold Medalist, also had to pay damages. Film companies refused to offer her roles, and she was forced to work as a waitress for some time. Her attempts to make a comeback through theater led to more online abuse. In essence, Kim’s suicide was the result of a public lynching. From the time of her accident until her death, the media published approximately 2,000 articles about her. Her father blamed YouTube for her death.
Causes of the Media Lynching of Celebrities
It is evident that South Korean society has certain shortcomings that contribute to the brutal public shaming of celebrities, which often leads them to see self-destruction as the only way out. Celebrity culture in South Korea is ruthless, with actors, singers, and models facing harsh scrutiny from both their managers and the public. While famous individuals have devoted fan bases, those same fans can turn against them overnight. There is a noticeable tendency among South Koreans to harbor jealousy and envy.
However, there are somewhat rational explanations for these highly negative human tendencies. Professor of Sociology Huh Chang-deog from Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan stated: “Due to the social problems currently present in Korea, such as high living costs, many Koreans tend to develop a feeling of being poor and wanting more, comparing themselves to celebrities. This puts celebrities at the center of admiration, but ironically, it also breeds jealousy and hatred toward them.” Another sociology professor, Choi Hang-sub from Kookmin University in Seoul, noted that the attention and popularity celebrities receive in Korea are a “double-edged sword,” as emotions linked to jealousy can intensify when a celebrity makes a mistake.
Following the deaths of major stars in 2019, politicians intended to introduce laws in the National Assembly to discourage online lynching. The proposed regulations would have required social media commenters to use their real names and be punished for spreading misinformation. However, such laws were never passed. The reason is clear—clicks on news portals generate revenue for their owners.
Female celebrities face even harsher public scrutiny than their male counterparts. Professor Seol Dong-hoon from Jeonbuk National University observes that there is a significant difference between holding someone accountable for their wrongdoing and subjecting them to relentless harassment over a single mistake. He wisely concludes: “Every individual deserves a chance at redemption, but South Korean society often refuses to grant it to those who have fallen from grace. Instead, it continuously amplifies their past misdeeds, making it nearly impossible for them to move forward.”
Material Success Does Not Bring Happiness
Unlike celebrities, ordinary people do not commit suicide, or rarely do so, as a result of social media lynching. However, 99% of suicides in South Korea are the deaths of more or less average citizens. This raises the question: why? Their country is one of the most successful nations in the world in terms of economic and technological development. From the 1960s to today, Seoul has made an impressive transition from a war-torn, impoverished country to an Asian economic powerhouse (G11). The secrets of its success lie in well-executed industrialization and privatization, continuous innovation, and a high-quality education system.
Today, South Korea is a global leader in technology, electronics, and the automotive industry, while its soft power—K-pop and the film industry—is also strong. Politically, South Koreans have built stable democratic institutions and pursue a prudent foreign policy. Seoul has become an influential player in international relations, particularly concerning North Korea. Given all this, one would expect prosperity for ordinary people, reflected in happy lives. Yet, that is not necessarily the case.
Causes of Suicide Among Ordinary People
According to official data, in 86% of cases, the primary health conditions leading individuals to suicide are mental health disorders such as depression, addiction, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Family problems account for 61% of suicides, while marital issues contribute to 53%. About 59% of suicides are linked to economic difficulties, including an inability to pay off loans, income reduction, and poverty. Approximately 57% of suicides are associated with workplace problems (interpersonal conflicts, excessive expectations). In contrast, only about 31% of suicides are connected to physical health issues.
The Background of South Korea’s Suicide Epidemic
Given these statistics, the main reasons behind South Korea’s suicide crisis are: the negative effects of rapid economic development, societal pressure to achieve success, social inequality, increasing poverty, and rising youth unemployment. The mental health of the population has deteriorated due to the rapid national transformation from a traditional rural society to a modern urban society within a single generation. Despite economic prosperity, social challenges such as loneliness and an imbalance between work and private life have become serious problems.
The intense societal pressure stems from a culture obsessed with competition and achievement. Long working hours and high competition in education and the job market have led to increased stress and depression. A culture that does not tolerate failure has contributed to alarmingly high suicide rates among teenagers and young adults. According to a 2023 study, nearly 43% of elementary and high school students in South Korea had considered suicide due to school-related stress.
Social inequality is another significant factor driving the high suicide rate. The stark divide between the rich and the poor and limited access to stable employment create a sense of hopelessness among those unable to keep up with societal expectations. Many elderly citizens, lacking adequate social support, face financial insecurity and social isolation, which drives them to take fatal actions. This issue is compounded by rising poverty levels. In 2021, the relative poverty rate among elderly South Koreans exceeded 39%—the second highest among OECD countries. The most common reasons for suicidal thoughts among older adults were health and financial problems. Even working-age individuals struggle with financial pressures (e.g., debt) and an unstable job market, leading to stress and depression, which increase the risk of suicide.
A Problem That Must Be Addressed
Since the South Korean government launched its first suicide prevention program in 2004, both the government and NGOs have implemented various campaigns to reduce the country’s exceptionally high suicide rate. However, these efforts have not yielded significant success. While positive measures such as restricting access to lethal medications, installing safety barriers on railways and bridges, and improving mental health services have been introduced, societal and economic pressures remain powerful triggers for suicide.
What should be done next? Systematic reforms are needed to reduce inequality, ensure social security, and promote a better work-life balance. Without structural changes, suicide will remain a severe challenge for South Korean society in the future—just like its record-low birth rate.