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Final goodbye: Roll call of Korean stars who died in 2015

December 17, 2015
Clockwise from top left, the late Nam Seong-nam, Jin Do-hee, Kim Sang-soon, Kim Gwang-han, Do Eun-young, Kim Hwa-ran, Kang Du-ri, Kim Kyung-min and Jeong Won

Clockwise from top left, the late Nam Seong-nam, Jin Do-hee, Kim Sang-soon, Kim Gwang-han, Do Eun-young, Kim Hwa-ran, Kang Du-ri, Kim Kyung-min and Jeong Won

By The Korea Times Seoul staff

Rookie actress and Internet BJ Kang Du-ri, 22, who reportedly died in a car accident, apparently killed herself at her home in Incheon, Monday. Kang, who appeared in a supporting role in a TV drama, wrote on the webpage of online broadcaster Afreeca TV on Dec. 11 about her difficult times.

Police said a burned briquette was found at Kang’s home, sparking speculation she died of asphyxia.

Several stars have died tragically this year.

Singer Do Eun-young died at 32. The cause of death was not disclosed but she reportedly suffered depression. At the time of her death, she had nearly completed a new album.

Accidents and old age have also taken away stars. On Aug. 3, rocker Kim Kyung-min (Van), 33, from Broken Valentine drowned while on vacation.

Singer Jeong Won, 72, whose heyday was as an entertainer in theater shows of the 1960s, died on Feb. 28 after a heart attack.

Actress Jin Do-hee died of pancreatic cancer aged 66 on June 26. The erotic movie star was popular for her glamorous body. She later moved to New York to be a businesswoman, poet and radio DJ.

Legendary radio DJ Kim Gwang-han, 69, died of heart failure on July 9. After debuting in 1966, Kim led the radio pop culture that boomed until the 1990s.

Veteran comedian Nam Seong-nam, who was influential during the 1960s and ‘70s, died on Aug. 31 at 84.

Actor Kim Sang-soon, 78, famous for his TV detective role in “Chief Detective” in the 1970s, died of lung cancer on Aug. 25.

A car accident killed actress Kim Hwa-ran, 52, on Sept. 18.