South Korean model and reality show star Kim Jong-Seok, 29, is dead.
According to Star News Korea, he passed away earlier this week—on June 4, 2025—with the cause of his death still undisclosed.
The sad news came to light after the model's friends posted heartfelt tributes on social media.
Korean entertainment news website Koreaboo published one of the posts, featuring a photo of a funeral wreath from the memorial service along with its caption: "I still can’t believe it… I hope you’re at peace now, without any pain."
The family's confirmation was released on June 6, 2025, the day after his funeral, which was held at the Maru Park Funeral Home in Hanam.
He was laid to rest at Chuncheon Rest Garden and Yanggu Memorial Park.
As heartfelt tributes poured in from fans and peers on social media, speculations about the cause of his death began to circulate.
Some connected it to a recent tragic incident in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do, where a young man allegedly assaulted his girlfriend then jumped from a high-rise building.
In response, Kim Jong-Seok’s family asked the public to refrain from spreading rumors and allow them to mourn privately.
"The misinformation online is causing our family significant distress," Kim’s sister wrote in a social media post on June 6, as translated by Koreaboo.
Kim Jong-Seok launched his modeling career in 2014 via online fashion platforms such as YouTube.
He gained popularity through his appearances in digital campaigns and short-form content.
In 2022, he was featured on the tvN reality dating show Skip Dating, hosted by Yoo Jae Suk, Jeon So Min, and Nucksal.
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