Im Soo Hyang pens message to late co-star Lee Ji Han
South Korean actress Im Soo Hyang has written an emotional letter following the passing of actor and K-Pop star Lee Ji Han, who was killed in the Itaewon stampede in Oct. 29. He was 24.
On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the My ID is Gangnam Beauty star shared a message for her co-star on Instagram Stories.
Soo Hyang said that the taping of their upcoming Korean drama, Kkokdu Gye Jeol (translation: The Season of Kkokdu), was put on hold after they heard about the news on Ji Han.
"After hearing the news, we all gathered at your wake. No one could say anything for a long time, and we just sat in a daze," she said.
She added that she was heartbroken and "miserable" because the young idol's career was thriving.
"I felt so cold, sad, and miserable after you were taken away so soon as you were just starting because I knew so well how hard you worked and how you wanted to do a good job," she wrote.
She regretted that she wasn't able to look after him and say "one more nice thing."
Soo Hyang ended her letter extending her sympathies to the victims.
Read the full letter below:
"Ji Han, you have to be happy in a better place.
"Yesterday, I was supposed to film the whole day with you, but after hearing the news, we all gathered at your wake. No one could say anything for a long time, and we just sat in a daze. I felt so cold, sad, and miserable after you were taken away so soon as you were just starting because I knew so well how hard you worked and how you wanted to do a good job..And your parents held my hands and told me how you went home and happily bragged to them that I praised you for doing a good job, and I think I cried for a long while because I was sorry that I didn’t take care of you more and that it was a shame that I didn’t say one more nice thing or words of encouragement.
"I am so hurt to let my colleague go first. The team and I will all work even harder for your share while thinking of you so that you can be proud from that place, and I hope you will be at peace now.
"To all those who became stars through this Itaewon tragedy, may you all rest in peace."
On October 30, Ji Han’s agency 935 Entertainment confirmed that the actor is among the victims of the Itaewon tragedy, which left at least 154 people dead and many others injured in a large crowd crush during Halloween.
Ji Han first came into spotlight in 2017 as a contestant on Produce 101 Season 2. Two years later, he debuted as an actor in a web drama called Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.