Jang Ja Yun

Profile

 * Name: 장자연 / Jang Ja Yun (Jang Ja Yeon)
 * Profession: Model, actress
 * Birthdate: 1980-Jan-25
 * Death: 2009-Mar-07 (aged 29, suicide)
 * Height: 168cm
 * Family: One sister and one brother

About Jang Ja Yun
Jang Ja Yun was an actress who began earning a lot of recognition for her minor roles in several movies and TV dramas. Recently, she walked the red carpet at the 45th Baeksang Awards and was going to debut on the big screen with two new upcoming movies. Her most recent drama is the hit TV series, "Boys Over Flowers." She portrayed Sunny who was in the Jin-Sun-Mi trio, a group of mean girls who pick on the female protagonist. The staff and crew of "Boys Over Flowers" said that Jang was "always bright and positive, with a lot of passion for acting."

On March 7th, 2009, Jang Ja Yun's suicide sent shock waves across Korea. She was found dead in her home in Bundang. According to the local police, Jang had committed suicide by hanging herself from a railing along the stairs in her home. She was discovered around 7:34 PM by her sister.

Another piece of news about Jang was reported a few days ago. A letter that was written by the Korean actress before her death was discovered. She had addressed the letter to her manager, Yun, claiming that her former manager, named Kim, had verbally abused her and physically assaulted her. The letter claimed that she was forced to have sex with high-profile figures in the entertainment business. The letter brings up the possibility that Jang's suicide was not only out of depression, originally thought to be caused by the death of her parents ten years ago. After revealing the letter, her current manager Yun also attempted suicide to avoid backlash from releasing the letter. He is currently recovering in the hospital.

Police are still investigating the letter as of now.

Jang joins a growing list of Korean celebrities such as Choi Jin Shil and Ahn Jae Hwan, who have committed suicide in recent years.

TV Shows

 * Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
 * Drama City Love Hunt 30 Minus 3 (KBS2, 2008)
 * My Lovely Fool (SBS, 2006)