Remembering K-Drama Actor Song Jae-rim After His Shocking Death at Just 39
- Song Jae-rim was a talented actor and model who rose to fame through hit dramas.
- He had several exciting projects lined up, including 'Death Business' and 'I’ll Become Rich.'
- His final Instagram post and bio have left fans reflecting on his untimely death.
It’s hard to believe that someone so full of life and promise is suddenly gone. Song Jae-rim, the South Korean actor we all know and love, passed away at the young age of 39. The news broke on November 12, 2024, and it hit everyone hard.
Song, who was found dead in his apartment in Seoul, was one of those actors who had captured the hearts of K-drama fans across the world. While the cause of his death has not been officially determined, the police have said there’s no sign of foul play.
Fans are still in shock. For many, this feels like a dream—a bad one. His passing has left a hole in the K-drama world that will be hard to fill. We’re left reminiscing about his unforgettable roles and his infectious personality that shone both on-screen and off.
Before we get into the details of his career, his impact, and his heartbreaking passing, let’s take a moment to remember who Song was beyond the roles he played.
Song Jae-rim’s Performances Over the Course of his Career
Song Jae-rim’s career wasn’t built overnight. Born in 1985, the actor first made a name for himself as a model before stepping into the world of acting. He started his career in front of the camera by walking runways, but his real breakthrough came when he starred in the 2009 film Actresses.
That role opened the door for him to appear in many more films and dramas. His acting skills were hard to ignore, and he quickly landed some pretty big roles. Remember Secret Garden? Moon Embracing the Sun? Two Weeks? Yeah, if you’re a K-drama fan, you probably do. He was everywhere.
The man also slayed in movies. The Suspect, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations, Tunnel 3D—you name it, he did it. And don’t forget about his web series All That We Loved alongside EXO’s Sehun. He was versatile, talented, and made everything look effortless.
In addition to his work on the small and big screens, Song made appearances in a number of popular variety shows. One of his most well-known appearances was on We Got Married.
Song Jae-rim’s Upcoming Projects
What’s next for Song Jae-rim? Well, this actor had a few projects in the works, and honestly, we were all excited to see what he would do next. First up: Death Business. This is an independent film inspired by the LUNA crypto crash of 2022.
The story revolves around a group of young individuals who exploit vulnerable situations, like women and disabilities, to steal startup funds, only to declare bankruptcy after using the cash to make a quick profit.
Song was set to star as Yang Do Hyun, the lead character, with questionable morals who uses his own advantages to get ahead (And don’t lie, you know you love a good antihero). The movie was set to premiere in 2025, but now? We’re not sure if it will ever happen.
Then, there’s I’ll Become Rich, another movie where Song plays the lead. This film revolves around a dad who wins the lottery but loses his memory and his son, struggling to find the money.
And last but not least, Salmon (also called Yeoneo). A story about family, regrets, and reconnection. Song was playing the husband of a grown-up daughter in a complicated family drama. You could tell he was going for something serious with this one, but now we won’t get to see it.
So much potential. So many projects. But sadly, no more.
Song Jae-rim’s Love Life
When it comes to celebrities, fans are always curious about their personal lives. Song Jae-rim wasn’t immune to this. His most famous pairing was with Kim So-eun from We Got Married, in which they won the Best Couple award in 2014.
Their chemistry was undeniable, and fans couldn’t get enough of them. After the show, the rumors about them dating in real life started swirling, but both actors kept quiet on the subject. Kim’s agency, ASCENDIO, eventually shut down the rumors, saying (via Soompi):
[Kim So Eun’s] dating rumors with Song Jae Rim are not true.
But even then, fans couldn’t help but hold out hope that there was something more going on behind the scenes. Recently, Kim and Song were seen together again on a trip to Japan.
The photos posted on their social media accounts made fans even more suspicious, especially since they were both at the same tourist spot and even appeared to have the same bag. The rumors reignited, but still, neither actor confirmed anything.
But still, there was no denying the connection between them. Whether they were romantically involved or not, we’ll never really know. All we can say is: if they were ever more than just friends, then, well, they sure kept it on the down-low.
Was Song Jae-rim’s Final Instagram Post a Heartfelt Goodbye?
If there’s one thing that stands out in the wake of Song Jae-rim’s passing, it’s his final Instagram post. He posted it in January 2024—almost like a final glimpse into his world. The post had two casual selfies of him in his makeup room, wearing a black T-shirt, looking like he was in a peaceful, reflective mood.
And the caption was just a single emoji. At the time, it seemed like a simple, casual post. But looking back now, it feels almost like he was saying goodbye. His Instagram bio also added to the sense of mystery. It read, “Start of a long journey.”
It’s almost as if he knew something was coming, though we’ll never know for sure. Fans are left wondering whether that was a subtle message he left behind or just a normal update. Either way, it’s something that feels strangely poignant now.
