Actor Lee Eun-ju has reached the 21st anniversary of her passing. Time has passed, but longing for her still runs deep inside and outside the film industry.
Lee Eun-ju ended her short life on Feb. 22, 2005, at the age of 25. She was found dead at her home in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, delivering tragic news. She was known to have suffered from severe depression, which made the hearts of many hurt even more.
In particular, because the deceased had shown a bright appearance when she attended the graduation ceremony of her alma mater Dankook University's Department of Theater and Film just days before her death, his sudden death caused even greater shock.
Lee Eun-ju first became known through a school uniform model contest in 1996, and the following year she began her full-fledged acting career with the KBS youth drama Start. In 1999 she built public recognition through the SBS drama KAIST, and that same year, after the film Song-eo and then Hong Sang-soo's film O! Su-jeong, she won the Best New Actress award at the 38th Grand Bell Awards, emerging as a promising figure in Chungmuro.
Afterwards, in films such as Bungee Jumping of Their Own and A Good Lawyer's Wife, she showcased delicate and deep emotional acting, achieving both critical acclaim and box office success. With a pure yet mysterious aura and explosive emotional range, she displayed a presence that set her apart from actors of her generation.
In 2004 she won the MBC Drama Awards' best actress award for the MBC drama Phoenix, capturing even the living-room audience at year's end. She expanded her acting spectrum by appearing in films of various genres such as Hello! UFO and Taegukgi: Brotherhood Of War.
Her final film was The Scarlet Letter, which was released on Oct. 29, 2004. She took on a shocking acting transformation by portraying jazz singer Ga-hee in the film, and she even sang the film's theme song Only When I Sleep herself, showing another possibility as an actor.
Surrounding The Scarlet Letter, a malicious commenter who spread malicious rumors was punished by the law. The commenters maliciously and continuously spread the unfounded rumor that the late Lee Eun-ju died because of psychological damage she suffered during director Byun's film The Scarlet Letter.
Director Byun suffered for many years from malicious rumors after the deceased's passing but did not respond strongly out of consideration for the bereaved family. However, as malicious rumors resurfaced ahead of his new film's release, he finally drew his sword after 13 years. In 2020, a man in his 30s who was brought to trial was sentenced to a fine of 2 million won.
Although her time was short, Lee Eun-ju built her filmography more fiercely than anyone. An actress who combined delicate emotional expression, a distinctive aura and star quality. She died far too young, but her gaze and voice on screen still live on in the memories of many.
[Photo] film still
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