Who was Kang Seo-ha? Rising South Korean actor passes away at 31

The world of Korean drama has been dealt a heavy blow with the untimely passing of Kang Seo-ha, a rising star known for her poignant performances and quietly profound screen presence. She was 31. Having fought a private and prolonged battle with cancer, her death on July 14 has left fans, industry peers, and colleagues in stunned silence.

Her fans recall her for the unyielding strength she portrayed off screen, in addition to starring in Schoolgirl Detectives and Heart Surgeons. Even though she never shared specifics about her condition, Kang fought through to the end of her life, continuing her acting engagements. One of the family members' posts on Instagram note how she would try to take care of everyone and go as far as to force herself to eat just so she could pay for their meals.

A funeral altar has been set up at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, with her final rites scheduled for July 16. She will be laid to rest in Haman, Gyeongnam Province—her family’s ancestral home.

Kang Seo-ha’s career: A steady rise marked by substance

Born Kang Ye-won on June 13, 1994, the actor graduated from the Korea National University of Arts’ School of Drama before stepping into the world of entertainment. She made her screen debut in 2012 in Brave Guys’ music video Getting Farther Away, and formally entered television with the 2014 drama Seonam Girls High School Investigators (also known as Schoolgirl Detectives).

Kang Seo-ha has steadily built a body of work over the years, taking on roles in acclaimed dramas like Heart Surgeons, First Love Again, The Flower in Prison, Waves, Waves, and Assembly, and Nobody Knows also featured her. Critics rated Kang’s performances as understated—having a depth of natural charm that marked her out in ensemble pieces.

Despite not being a mainstream name internationally, Kang Seo-ha was widely respected within South Korea’s acting community for her discipline and dedication to her craft. In 2023, she joined Insight MCN, a talent agency formed by Insight Entertainment and Showtime Crew, to further her career.

Final project and farewell

Before her passing, Kang Seo-ha completed filming on In the Net, a yet-to-be-released feature starring Kim Seon-ho. The film is expected to serve as a posthumous tribute to her career and legacy. Though details of the movie’s release are yet to be confirmed, anticipation surrounding it has grown in light of her death.

She was last seen publicly on Instagram on July 11, 2023, where she posted a video of herself at the beach. Fans have come back to the post and given new meaning to the caption: “Natural wearing sunglasses” as an elegant farewell, suggesting that the post was made with some forethought.

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