The Korean agency of late model Kim Da-ul said on November 24 that Kim was presumed to have taken her life in her apartment because she did not want to show others her fall after reaching a top status.

The agency's CEO said in a press release that he had confirmed Kim's death in Paris and that the local police had concluded that the model had committed suicide on November 19. He also added that judging by the testimonies of Kim's bereaved family and friends as well as her messages that she had left, Kim struggled with anxiety after becoming a top model and decided to take her own life.

The press release read, "Since her childhood, Da-ul always thought that she was different from others because of her unique artistic talent and preferences. She began working as a fashion model, artist, writer, documentary film maker and fashion designer at a very young age and went through numerous hardships to achieve her goals. She apparently was very anxious about how she would spend the rest of her life."

It continued, "She was frustrated because she was unable to live an ordinary life as her peers did. Since she became famous, her life had been full of confusion because of her inordinately high expectations before she succeeded and her feeling of alienation after she became a top model. She did not want to show others her fall. That was the biggest reason for her suicide."

The agency added that Kim was highly committed to everything she did as an artist and did her work only because she truly loved it. She didn't want her work to be judged only from a commercial point of view. She was very upset to realize that fame and commercialism were closely correlated in this world and were essential for gaining recognition.

The agency said many fashion agents had been mourning Kim's death. The memorial service was held in Paris on November 23 with Kim's family and friends in attendance. They all expressed their deep condolences.

Kim was found dead in her apartment in Paris on November 19 (local time).



cr:KBS Global