Up and coming actor Lee Eon passed away in a motorcycle accident early this morning on August 21. He was coming back from a wrap-up party for his recent drama Strongest Chilwoo when he crashed into a guard rail. He was not breathing when the police found him at the scene and was rushed to the hospital. However, the doctors were not able to resuscitate him. According to police reports, the accident occurred when Lee Eon was attempting to change lanes as the road changed from 2 lanes to 1.

Lee Eon debuted as a model in 2006 and also featured in Rain’s “It’s Raining” music video. However, Eon shot to fame in 2007 when he played the macho, idiosycratic, lovable character Min Yub in the MBC drama “Coffee Prince.” He then took a role in the drama “Who Are You?” and had just finished filming “Strongest Chilwoo” two days ago.

Lee Eon had moved from Busan to Seoul to start his modeling career. He lived alone and was not able to see his parents often. He is the only child and the news of his death has caused a great shock to his parents in Busan, who immediately left for Seoul when they heard the news.

When the “Strongest Chilwoo” team, including Goo Hye Sun and Eric, heard of this tragedy, they also rushed to the hospital. Lee Eon had been celebrating the end of the drama with his co-stars just a few hours ago. Coffee Prince co-star Yoon Eun Hye also came to the hospital.

Rest in peace, Lee Eon. May his friends and family be comforted. He was truly one of Korea’s most promising actors. I absolutely loved him in Coffee Prince – he was so adorable! He possessed a unique charm and charisma on screen that I will miss dearly.

2008 has been a hard year with the death of many celebrities, including Monday Kiz’s Kim Min Soo (23) and and Lee Sung Hoon (Turtle Man) from the group Turtle. Kim Min Soo also died in a motorcycle accident. Singer LeeRa, an aspiring young rookie, also died in her sleep and was only 24.

Netizens are in utter shock and disbelief. Some are noting the eerie similarity of Lee Eon’s death to that of Monday Kiz Kim Min Soo. Fans of Lee Eon also pointed out that he left a message on his minihompy on July 15 saying “It’s too early to die.” After reading this coincidental note, many fans left messages on his minihompy saying “The message above is pitiful” “Oh no, I hope he goes to a better place. I can’t believe it.” More than 40,000 fans have visited his minihompy, leaving their condolences.

Source: Newsen, Naver