SEOUL, Jan 23 — South Korean actor Jun Tae-soo died on Sunday after battling depression, various Korean entertainment sites reported yesterday. He was 34.
Jun was best known for his role in the 2010 historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
He is the younger brother of acclaimed actress Ha Ji-won who starred in popular period drama Empress Ki.
His agency Haewadal Entertainment issued a statement yesterday to confirm his passing but did not reveal the cause of death.
It is understood that Jun had taken time away from the public eye to focus on his mental health but was planning a comeback.
“Jun passed away on Sunday at the age of 33. He was being treated for depression and had recently been in discussions for his next project as an actor, as his condition seemed to improve,” read the statement.
He was “extremely passionate about acting and was a pure artist who was talented in other fields as well, such as art,” the agency added.
Jun will be laid to rest in a quiet ceremony attended only by close family and friends.
The statement also requested for privacy for his family.
“In order to give Jun Tae-soo a respectful farewell, we sincerely request that reporters do not appear at the funeral,” it said.
No details about funeral arrangements were released.
Ha cancelled her upcoming engagements to be with her family, media reports said.
She had been due to attend a press conference for her new film Manhunt, but she has since withdrawn from the promotional activities to mourn with her family.
Jun also starred in dramas such as All My Love and The King’s Daughter, Soo Baek-hyang.
However, his career hit a low point in 2011 following his arrest for assaulting a taxi driver and two policemen while drunk.
His death comes about a month after K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun committed suicide after battling depression.
