Monday, March 09, 2009

R.I.P. Jang Ja-Yeon (장자연)

Another suicide in what seems to be a continuing wave of Korean celebrities taking their own lives.

Jang Ja-Yeon (장자연, sometimes spelled Jang Ja-Yun) was born on December 8, 1982. She's six months younger than me, and I am nowhere near ready to die.

























She is most famous for the TV role that she was in during the time of her death, the hugely popular "Boys Over Flowers" (꽃보다 남자).

Jang Ja-Yeon hanged herself in her house on March 7, to be discovered by her sister (some reports say she was discovered by a friend) just a few hours later.

She was apparently depressed because of various aspects of her job and all the harrassment that comes with sudden stardom. Her parents were killed in a car accident about 10 years ago, which probably led to all sorts of problems (she was 16, an impressionable age). She and her sister and brother had all reportedly been living together since their parents' untimely death.

It has to have been a terrible blow to her siblings. The three of them only had each other. They were the only ones that could empathize with one another. To suddenly lose one more member of their family...

How much of these celebrity suicides can be blamed on the culture? How much more blame can be placed on the media? The critical netizens? The crushing pressure to conform?

It's horrible to feel that death is the only option when there is counseling to be had, alcohol to drink, songs to be sung, family to fight with, anti-depressants to try.
























The life of a celebrity doesn't seem like it's worth living lately. I wish people would prove me wrong.

2 comments:

Anonymous,  March 10, 2011 at 11:54 AM  

I just found out about this, and as speaking from my heart as an artist...it appears he was merely just only trying to follow her dreams without anything to block her.
She deserved to have a good life while pursuing her dream career, without all the people who are controlled by a god of pleasure. I really said a prayer for her, and I sincerely hope she has heard it, that I can know in her eyes and ways that she just wanted to have a good time in a decent way thru following her dreams, and I share her feelings about how sorrowful and hurt she must've gone through.. and I really wish I were with her along her side to help her get by and avoid the selfish ones who mistreated and didn't see her for the real good she has lived, shown, and been as a person.
Her and everyone who is going through this same thing and has during the past, my truest and most heartful prayers remain being sent that such wonderfully talented ones are no longer being abused...and not only raped physically, but must be stopped being raped in taking away ones dreams and soul&spirit they have developed.
It truly honestly saddens me this kind of way is happening to such beautiful minds and skilled talent.
March 10 2011 - Zytaris of Quinn

Anonymous,  March 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM  

I just found out about this, and as speaking from my heart as an artist...it appears she was merely just only trying to follow her dreams without anything to block her.
She deserved to have a good life while pursuing her dream career, without all the people who are controlled by a god of pleasure. I really said a prayer for her, and I sincerely hope she has heard it, that I can know in her eyes and ways that she just wanted to have a good time in a decent way thru following her dreams, and I share her feelings about how sorrowful and hurt she must've gone through.. and I really wish I were with her along her side to help her get by and avoid the selfish ones who mistreated and didn't see her for the real good she has lived, shown, and been as a person.
Her and everyone who is going through this same thing and has during the past, my truest and most heartful prayers remain being sent that such wonderfully talented ones are no longer being abused...and not only raped physically, but must be stopped being raped in taking away ones dreams and soul&spirit they have developed.
It truly honestly saddens me this kind of way is happening to such beautiful minds and skilled talent.
Please don't misunderstand me.
March 10 2011 - Zytaris of Quinn