Korean film director Shin Seong-Hoon found dead
Published Oct 27, 2025 11:46 am
Korean film director Shin Seong-Hoon, whose film “JajangMyeon Thank You” won in many film festivals, was belatedly reported to have passed away. He was 40.
Shin Seong-Hoon was found dead at his home in May, Korean media reported on Oct. 26. His body was found by an acquaintance. After failing to contact him, the acquaintance found him at his home and reported it to the police.
"No suicide note was found at the scene. I've never heard that he had any underlying illness,” a representative from a film production company who worked with Shin Seong-Hoon told Ilgan Sports.
A source told Osen, "We heard the news at the end of May. We held a funeral for the deceased. While he was alive, he often posted pictures on social media saying 'Mom' and 'Family,' but he was not actually family. He was the type to call the adults around him 'Mom.”
Before his death, he wrote on social media, "D-day today... Beautiful Day."
Korean director Shin Seong-Hoon's film “JajangMyeon Thank You” (TVING)
Korean film director Shin Seong-Hoon (Photo from Threads)
Korean film director Shin Seong-Hoon (Photo from Threads)
Korean film director Shin Seong-Hoon (Photo from Threads)
Shin Seong-Hoon, who grew up in an orphanage, debuted as a singer in 2002 but was unable to achieve success.
In 2003, he debuted as a member of boy group Max but did not receive much attention. He also became a member of the male singer duo Fly-M.
He also worked as an actor. After this, he started studying film screenwriting and directing.
His debut short film, “JajangMyeon Thank You,” won him best director and best film in many film festivals.
Shin Seong-Hoon was adopted at age 32 but he filed for dissolution in 2022.
During a guest appearance on a TV show, Shin Seong-Hoon said, "I'm grateful to my mother who adopted me with love, and I was also close with my two older brothers. My mother was addicted to gambling and had hundreds of millions of won in debt. That's why I cut ties with her."
He said, "I paid off my mother's debt alone, which is 160 million won [about $118,000]. If I were to get an adoption, I would not have to legally pay off my mother's debt.”
Shin Seong-Hoon’s other film “God’s Choice,” won him the best director award in Brazil.
His last film, "Juvenile Offenders 2" is currently in the final stages of post-production and is planned to be released this year.