Lee Eun-joo, a top actress well known for her supporting role in the Korean blockbuster film "
Taegukgi" died yesterday, in what apparently was a suicide.
Lee, 25, was found hanging by a necktie in the walk-in closet of her bedroom at around 1:10 p.m. by her brother, according to police. She lived in an apartment in Bundang, about 20 kilometers south of Seoul, with her family.
Lee's elder brother told police that she had been up all night talking with him and their mother until early in the morning. He also said she wasn't seen all morning and he came back to the apartment in the afternoon after being unable to reach her on the phone, and found her body.
The local police said it found what appears to be a suicide note saying "Mom, I am sorry", and stating that all she wanted to do was work.
Lee has records of receiving medical treatment for depression and insomnia at a nearby hospital early this month, according to police reports.
Her family also told police Lee had suffered much stress from her portrayal of a sexually explicit role in her latest film of "
The Scarlet Letter", and appeared depressed for months.
Lee, who majored in theater and film at Dankook University in Seoul, graduated from the school last Friday.
She is a well-known actress in Korea who was credited for outstanding performances in several blockbuster hits including "
Taegukgi", "
The Scarlet Letter" and "
Bungee jumping of their own".
Making her star-debut at the age of 18, Lee received more limelight for playing a leading role in last year's MBC-TV drama "Bulsae" or Fire Bird.
By Choi Soung-ah
