‘Happiness advocate’ dies in apparent suicide
Writer and TV celebrity Choi Yoon-hee, 63, and her husband were found dead in a hotel room Thursday in an apparent joint suicide, police said.
The couple checked into the hotel in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, early in the morning but never came out. A hotel staff member visited their room and found Choi lying on the bed and her husband hanging in the restroom.
As Choi’s death note was found in the room, police believe her husband helped Choi commit suicide and then hung himself.
“I’m sick of going to and leaving the hospital over the past two years. I don’t want to live a life any more, loaded with injections,” Choi wrote in the note left behind.
“People who have suffered nearly 700 kinds of pains would understand me. I cannot bear the pain anymore and my husband cannot let me go alone ... So, we have decided to leave together,” she said.
In September, her lung disease progressed to her heart, worsening the pain she suffered. After the Chuseok holiday, she attempted to kill herself on a trip alone, but her husband found and stopped her.
“My husband, completely healthy, is leaving together for me. You have been a sincere, talented and faithful person in your whole life. I’m sorry and thank you!!” she added in the note.
The couple have a daughter and a son, both currently living in the U.S.
“Long-lasting physical pain often causes depression, sometimes leading to suicide. She would have difficulty controlling her feelings,” said Park Sang-jin, a psychiatrist at Ilsan Hospital.
The suicide of Choi, who was nicknamed the “happiness advocate” for her emphasis on positive thinking, came as a shock to many people. The online community has posted numerous comments of condolence.
She was considered living evidence that proved the power of hope.
Choi, then an ordinary housewife, applied to become a copy writer at a local advertising company at the age of 38. Having achieved a successful career, she retired as the director general of the company.
Based on her experiences, she delivered lectures on hope and happiness and appeared on several TV programs. She was also the author of 20 books.
1. What do you think of suicide? What about her suicide?
2. Which effect do you think her suicide gives to people, who endure hardship or sickness for happiness? (Refer to Randy Pausch)
3. As you know, she is known as ‘Happiness advocate’. Do you think she made a contradictive decision with her whole life or just exercised her rights for life quality?
4. Have you ever considered committing suicide? Even if it’s not that serious thing, if you have, for what didn’t you commit it?
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hi, i'm julie :)
it's almost 3 am now.. i might stay up all night due to a test.
anyway, i refered to 'korea herald'
thank you. have a nice day!