Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Itaewon crowd crush kills actor, ex-cheerleader
Actor Lee Ji-han, who died in Saturday's crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul / Courtesy of 935 Entertainment
By Kim Rahn
Entertainment industry in mourning
By Kim Rahn
Actor Lee Ji-han and former cheerleader Kim Yu-na died in Saturday's tragic crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul.
Lee's agency, 935 Entertainment, confirmed the 24-year-old's death, Monday. The death of Lee, who made his name known through Mnet's fan-vote survival show, “Produce 101,” season 2 (2017), was first disclosed the previous day through social network postings by other former participants of the show.
“Our beloved actor Lee has left us,” the agency said in a release. “He was a kind and warmhearted person. We still remember him smiling to everyone he met, and it is unbelievable that we can't see this anymore.”
The release did not mention the cause of his death, but the agency officials confirmed he was a victim of the Itaewon crowd crush.
After “Produce 101,” Lee turned to acting and started his career by appearing in a web sitcom in 2019 where he played a high school student who is wild about ramen.
Former cheerleader Kim Yu-na / Screenshot from Kim's Instagram
Kim, 24, was another victim of the tragedy, according to the sports circle.
She was a baseball cheerleader for the LG Twins in 2016 and KIA Tigers in 2018.
The nation's entertainment industry is joining the national period of mourning for the victims of the tragedy, canceling festive events and celebrations throughout the week.
Broadcasters are not airing entertainment programs, replacing them with breaking news. Many YouTube channels have held off on uploading new entertainment-based content, saying they will return to regular operations from next week.
The movie industry has also delayed press conferences and fan meeting events. The production team of “Men of Plastic,” starring Ma Dong-seok, delayed its press conference for the upcoming film slated for Monday, while actors of film “Confession” canceled a guest visit event the previous day.
Singers are delaying their album or promotional content releases and showcases that were planned for Sunday or the rest of this week. Included are Jin of BTS, Chen of EXO, Jung Eun-ji and Yong Jun-hyung.
While many Korean celebrities have posted condolence messages for the victims, some foreign stars also joined the mourning. Yoshiki, the leader of Japanese rock group X Japan, wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking to hear about tragedy in Korea. I'm praying for the victims and their families.”
American actress Jamie Lee Curtis also tweeted: “A terrible tragedy in Seoul. The loss of so many young people enjoying the freedom to celebrate together again. As we gather on our own groups, in our own ways on Halloween, hold them and their families near.”