Korean stars and the public are mourning the death of 35-year-old comedian Park Ji-sun and her mother.
The two were found dead at their home in Mapo-gu, Seoul at about 1:44 p.m. Korean time (12:44 p.m. in the Philippines) on Nov. 2. The comedian’s father contacted the police after he could not reach them by phone.
They died of apparent suicide after the Seoul Mapo Police found a note left by the mother and decided not to conduct an autopsy on Park Ji-sun at the family’s request.
Park Ji-sun was suffering from a skin disease and her mother was staying with her, and according to the note, her mother said that she could not let her daughter suffer alone, according to Yonhap News. She was suffering from allergy to sunlight and makeup, Korean media reported.
The police determined that no foul play was involved in their deaths and that no break-in took place in the residence.
"No foul play is suspected, as there was no sign of a break-in and what was presumed to be a suicide note was found," according to the Seoul Mapo Police, who added that they will continue to investigate to determine the exact cause of death.
A funeral service is being held at a funeral hall at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital in Seoul.and the final rites will be held on Nov. 5.
Actress Park Bo-young and actor Park Jung-min went to the funeral hall to pay their respect. Park Jung-min appeared with Park Ji-sun in the reality TV show “I Live Alone” last year while Park Ji-sun emceed a film production presentation for Park Bo-young in the past.
Other comedians who became her colleagues in the comedy TV show “Gag Concert” also went to the funeral hall including Song Eun-i, Kim Sook, Kim Shin-young, Jang Do-yeon and Ahn Young-mi.
Stars like K-pop boy bands SHINee’s Key, 2PM’s Junho, After School’s Kahi, comedian Kim Jimin, actress Baek Jin-hee and actress Park Ha-sun paid tribute to Park Ji-sun on social media.
Park Ji-sun debuted as a comedian in 2007 at Korean channel KBS and became a mainstay on “Gag Concert.” She also worked as an emcee in various events including showcases and films, entertainment and drama production media presentations.
Last July, she hosted the production showcase of Red Velvet members Irene and Seulgi’s “Level Up Thrilling Project.” In October, she also became an emcee at the media showcases of the show “NCT World 2.0” and boy band Verivery.
She also appeared in many TV shows including “Infinite Challenge,” “Yoo Quiz on the Block” and “King of Mask Singer.” Park Ji-sun bagged the female rookie, excellence and grand prize in comedy at the KBS Entertainment Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Caption
(Clockwise from top left) Late comedian Park Ji-sun, with SHINee, 2PM’s Junho, Kahi, Park Jung-min, Park Bo-young and Kim Shin-young (Instagram, SEM Company)