Japanese police announced Wednesday (Feb 4) that the cause of death of TV personality Ai Iijima was pneumonia; and ruled out any foul play in the case.
The former porn star turned TV personality and best selling writer was found dead in her house in late December, but her body was decayed and initial autopsy failed to determine the cause.
Rumours had been flying around that she committed suicide for various reasons; and there were speculations that she was murdered instead. Seems like Iijima’s soul can finally be put to rest now.
Ai Iijima was one of the most popular adult video idols in early 90s; she later turned into mainstream TV shows and made her breakthrough in 2000 with her semi-autobiographical novel “Platonic Sex”.
She continued to build on the novels’ popularity and became a regular TV personality; she also started actively involving in AIDS awareness campaigns.
Iijima announced her retirement in March 2007, stating health reasons, which unfortunately taken its toll in the end. Rest in peace.
Gay model Kim Ji-hoo (pic) became the latest Korean entertainer to commit suicide.
Choi was found dead on October 6; he was the second entertainer who committed suicide following the death of actress Choi Jin-shil last week. Earlier on October 3, transsexual entertainer Jang Chae-won committed suicide ala Choi Jin-shil’s method.
Initial police investigations suggested that Kim committed suicide because of career block and online harassment of his sexual preference, while Jang chose the path because of a broken relationship.
I’ve read somewhere that there was at least another two copycat suicide since Choi’s death… and the Korean authorities are fearing that the suicide chain would create a domino effect in the Korean society, which is already fragile with their high suicide rate.
Stop blaming the internet
The Korean government is drafting a law against malicious rumours and slandering via the internet, as the online harassment is seen as one of the major causes of entertainers’ suicide.
I doubt the law could work though; and the effect would be minimal even if it works, because the problem is not the internet itself… it’s a cultural and society problem.
Internet is just a medium that pulled the final trigger; there are still other mediums for spreading rumours and slanders… what the Koreans need are to find the root cause and solve the problems once and for all.
Korean actress Choi Jin-shil was found dead in her home in Seocho, Seoul, early this morning (Oct 2). The 40-year-old star hung herself in her bathroom; her body was discovered by her mother at around 6.15am.
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Hollywood legend Paul Leonard Newman passed away on Friday (Sept 26) at the age of 83 from complications of lung cancer.
Besides his illustrious acting career, Newman was also a philanthropist. He co-founded food company Newman’s Own in 1982, from which he donated all his profits (over $250 million) to charity.
Below is a tribute video to Paul by Newman’s Own Foundation; rest in peace…
Korean actor Ahn Jae-hwan, 36, was found dead in his car on Monday (Sept 8) morning. The police has classified his death as suicide.
Early investigation suggested that he died of smoke inhalation by burning charcoal inside the car. He left a suicide note expressing his love for his wife, comedian-actress Jung Sun-hee, whom he married in November 2007.
It’s unknown if he had stated the reason(s) for his suicide in his final note, but it’s believed that he ended his life because of financial stress from business failure.
Rest in peace Ahn Jae-hwan. My condolences to his wife and family.
