SEOUL – Beloved South Korean actress Kang Seo-ha has passed away at the age of 31 after a courageous fight against stomach cancer. According to her family, Kang died peacefully on the afternoon of July 13 during her second round of chemotherapy, after her health suddenly declined.
The news of her death has shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike. Known for her emotional depth and dedication to her roles, Kang fought her illness quietly and gracefully, staying out of the public eye in recent months.
“She always thought of others first,” wrote a close friend in a heartfelt tribute posted on July 14. “Even when she hadn’t eaten for days, she insisted on paying for my meals. She was my angel.”
A Career Cut Tragically Short
Kang Seo-ha began her career in 2012, making her debut in the music video Far Away by Brave Guys. A graduate of the prestigious Korea National University of Arts, she quickly gained recognition for her role in the JTBC teen mystery drama Seonam Girls’ High School Detective Team.
Her talent soon took her to mainstream success, with appearances in popular television dramas such as:
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KBS2’s Assembly
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MBC’s Okjung-hwa
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KBS2’s Again, First Love
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SBS’s Thoracic Surgery – Doctors Who Stole Hearts
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Nobody Knows
Kang’s most recent work was the lead role in the upcoming film Mangnae-in (The Youngest). The film is expected to be released posthumously, adding a bittersweet note to her legacy.
Despite her illness, Kang reportedly completed filming with professionalism and grace — never letting on how much pain she was in.
Final Farewell and Outpouring of Grief
Kang Seo-ha’s funeral will be held on July 16, with her burial taking place in Ham-an, South Gyeongsang Province, in her family’s plot. Fans, co-stars, and fellow actors have flooded social media with tributes, sharing photos, memories, and messages that reflect the actress’s warmth and humility.
Messages remembering her as “a gentle soul,” “a tireless worker,” and “a shining star taken too soon” dominate online spaces.
Her death has also sparked a wider conversation in South Korea around early cancer detection and the pressures faced by young actors to continue working despite serious health issues.
Though her life ended far too soon, Kang Seo-ha’s legacy as a talented artist and generous friend will live on — both on screen and in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
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