South Korean actor Jung Eun-woo has died at the age of 39, his family confirmed, sending shockwaves across the entertainment community. The news arrived just a day after the performer shared a social media post that concerned followers, prompting renewed conversations about the pressures faced by public figures. Authorities have not disclosed a cause of death, and his funeral is scheduled for Friday.
Jung’s final Instagram upload featured a carousel of images including late Hong Kong icon Leslie Cheung and singer Amy Winehouse, both of whom passed away prematurely. He also included photographs of himself accompanied by the caption, “Missed, jealous, sorry.” The post quickly drew attention online, with fans interpreting it as unusually introspective
and emotional.
His passing has also revived memories of recent losses in the Korean acting fraternity, including the death of actor Song Young-kyu five months earlier. Police said Song was found deceased in a parked car south of Seoul, with authorities noting no suspicious circumstances and no note left behind. The case had drawn headlines due to earlier controversy involving a drink-driving incident that affected his professional commitments.
Jung Eun-woo built a steady career spanning nearly two decades. He entered the industry through a role in the third season of the KBS drama Sharp, which aired between 2003 and 2007. Over time, he expanded his résumé with appearances in multiple television projects, including the SBS drama Bride Of The Sun, and earned recognition within the industry.
His talent was acknowledged at the SBS Drama Awards, where he secured the New Star Award in 2012. A year later, he received the Special Acting Award in the Single-Act Special Drama category, cementing his place as a dependable performer on television. Beyond acting, Jung also appeared frequently on fashion runways associated with designer André Kim, reflecting his crossover presence in entertainment and style circles.
The actor’s last big-screen appearance came in the 2021 film Memory: Manipulated Murder. In earlier interviews, he shared how his path to acting was unconventional. “I didn’t learn acting by going to an academy,” he once explained. “I learned it on set. My appearance made me look older, so I was cast in roles that were older than my actual age.” He had initially pursued basketball before an injury altered his trajectory.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-177104753116157906.webp)
