Originally posted by Gordonator:
rumours has it that she regretted starring in an adult film. the stress led to depression which in turn led to the tragedy.
In case some might misunderstand, "Juhong Geulshi (The Scarlet Letter)" wasn't actually an adult film. Well, at least not in the AV sense.
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Lee played a lonely lounge singer who was the mistress of a police detective. There are a few steamy love scenes in which she did bare all, but thanks to the clever camera angles, audience don't get to see anything revealing.
According to interviews from her family and close friends, the sensitive Lee did undergo some form of depression due to public scrutiny over the daring scenes in the movie, but it was not her first time (though it was her most daring effort) doing love scenes for a movie anyway. Besides, her fame had already been on the rise since her appearance in the blockbuster hit "Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood" and with other projects in the pipeline, she had finally attained her objective -- to be treated as a serious actor and not as a bubblegum idol.
That was why some friends speculated that her family problems could have been the cause of her depression as well. Too bad her farewell note didn't shed much light on the reasons behind her decision.
Whatever it is, her departure is a great loss to the Korean movie industry. And a grave reminder to all that beauty and fame does not necssarily buy one happiness.