Who was Kim Jong-seok? Details explored as South Korean model passes away at 29

The South Korean entertainment industry is mourning the sudden death of Kim Jong-seok, a model and reality TV star, on June 4, 2025, at 29 years old. On June 6, officials confirmed his passing. The exact cause remains unknown, but fans, colleagues, and family members have flooded social media with tributes.

Before he died, Kim kept using social media, even sharing posts on June 3, just one day before news of his death came out. This unexpected loss has shocked his fans.

Who was Kim Jong-seok?

Kim Jong-Seok, a renowned South Korean model, rose to fame in the modeling world by collaborating with prominent grooming and fashion labels. His unique appearance and self-assured demeanor helped him become a well-known face in men's fashion. He had a strong connection to DASHU, a prominent South Korean men's cosmetic brand.

Kim's popularity grew significantly in 2022 when he appeared on tvN's dating reality show Skip Dating. The program had famous hosts like Yoo Jae-suk, Jeon So-min, and Nuksal. This show helped more people get to know Kim and his easy-going charm won him many fans. Besides TV, he stayed busy online on YouTube Shorts. He shared fun and interesting videos with his followers.

Kim Jong-Seok's family addresses rumors and seeks privacy amid grief

As speculations about Kim's death continued, his family released a statement asking people not to spread or believe in rumors. They requested for privacy to mourn in peace.

On social media, Kim's older sister said they would take action against any "defamatory" posts. She highlighted how baseless gossip has affected the family during an already tough time. She pointed out that they had first decided to stay quiet to protect Kim's reputation. However, the sheer amount of misleading stories online forced them to step in.

She wrote,

"We are in the middle of funeral preparations, overwhelmed and heartbroken. But I’m seeing so many baseless and false claims spreading across online communities. At first, we chose not to respond, hoping Jong Suk could rest in peace. But now, it has gone too far."

She also warned that action would be taken against false information.

"I’ve requested the removal of these articles. We will soon release a summary of the police recording and a statement from the friend who was with him at the time," she said.

"The false information spreading online is causing our family immense pain," Kim's sister wrote in her post.

Kim Jong-Seok had recently been preparing to branch into acting, marking a new chapter in his professional life. With a career that spanned fashion campaigns, television appearances, and social media engagement, he had built a strong foundation and a loyal following. Kim was laid to rest in Chuncheon Ansikwon and Yanggu Bong-an Park.

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