The news of that day has passed, but its meaning remains with us today. "Today's That Day" reads the present through records of the past. — Editor's note
"The sky is open for us."
On November 20, 1995, Kim Sung-jae, a 23-year-old member of the popular dance duo Deux, died suddenly. He passed away just one day after successfully completing his solo debut stage. His death remains the biggest unsolved case in Korean pop culture history, even as it approaches its 30th anniversary.
Found dead one day after solo debut with 28 injection marks on body
The incident occurred around 6:40 a.m. on November 20, 1995, at a hotel in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The previous evening on November 19, Kim had dinner with his girlfriend, identified only as "A," along with his manager and backup dancers, then stopped by a pool hall. They wrapped up the day watching his recorded debut performance together at his accommodation.
Around 3:40 a.m., after everyone had fallen asleep, A left for home. Around 6 a.m., the manager tried to wake Kim, who was lying face down on the sofa with his face half-buried in a pillow, but received no response. The manager assumed Kim was exhausted and let him sleep. When the manager tried again 30 minutes later, there was still no response. When the backup dancers lifted him, his body went limp. His lips were blue and there was blood around his mouth. Emergency services were called immediately, but he had already stopped breathing.
The autopsy results were shocking. Twenty-eight needle marks were found on his right arm alone, along with subcutaneous hemorrhaging that occurred before death. There were traces of concentrated injections along the veins. Animal anesthetic and sedative components were detected in his blood and urine.
The medical examiner stated: "Multiple injection marks are located in positions difficult for a right-handed person to self-administer. Considering the unusual nature of the drugs used, the possibility of homicide cannot be ruled out." What had initially appeared to be a sudden natural death instantly became a "suspicious death."
"I bought the drugs to euthanize my dog": The girlfriend's suspicious actions
Seventeen days after the incident, a veterinary clinic director who knew A contacted police, taking the case in a new direction. A had purchased drugs and syringes, claiming she needed to euthanize her dog, and had asked the director not to tell police.
Testimony emerged that A had asked, "If an autopsy is performed, will drug components be detected?" before the autopsy results were reported to police. A was eventually arrested as the prime suspect. Though she initially denied everything, she admitted to the clinic director's statements during a confrontation.
Police stated: "On the day of the crime, A deceived Kim Sung-jae, who was tired from appearing on a TV show, by telling him it was a 'fatigue recovery shot,' then injected animal anesthetic into his right arm 28 times, causing his death by drug poisoning."
During A's transfer to prosecutors, test results also revealed that Kim's body contained higher levels of magnesium than normal.
However, during prosecutorial questioning, while A admitted she had been alone with Kim in the living room, she completely denied the charges, stating: "I had always maintained a good relationship with Kim Sung-jae, so I had no reason to kill him."
First trial: Life imprisonment → Appeals and Supreme Court: Not guilty — case remains unsolved
More than half a year after Kim's death, in 1996, the first trial court ruled: "Although the defendant firmly denies the crime, considering the circumstances at the time of the incident and various testimonies, most of the charges that the defendant purchased animal anesthetic and killed Kim Sung-jae are recognized." The court stated: "The defendant attempted to conceal the crime after killing Kim Sung-jae, denies her crime without remorse, and although a first-time offender, tried to end her relationship with Kim because she felt he was blocking her path." A was sentenced to life imprisonment.
When jeers erupted in the courtroom, A shouted: "I did not kill Sung-jae."
However, the appeals court ruled: "The defendant generally acknowledges that the healthy victim suddenly died, injection marks were found on his body, and the autopsy revealed drugs the defendant had purchased." But the court added: "However, the defendant cannot be determined to be the killer based solely on such circumstantial evidence."
Regarding the "drug administration" that prosecutors had identified as the direct cause of death, the court stated: "The amount of drugs the defendant purchased was sufficient to anesthetize a healthy person, but cannot be considered enough to cause death."
A was ultimately acquitted due to insufficient evidence and released from Seoul Yeongdeungpo Detention Center after approximately one year in custody.
On February 26, 1998, about two years and three months after the incident, the Supreme Court issued its final ruling. The First Criminal Division of the Supreme Court (presiding Justice Lee Don-hee) dismissed the prosecutor's appeal and upheld the lower court's acquittal.
The court stated in its ruling: "If there is no evidence to form conviction, even if the defendant is suspected of being guilty, they cannot be determined to be the perpetrator."
A claims innocence — 'Unanswered Questions' broadcast blocked
In 2019, SBS announced it would air an episode of "Unanswered Questions" covering the case. However, before the broadcast, A filed for an injunction citing "defamation," which the court granted. A's side appealed: "Even after being acquitted, I have suffered from slander and biased reporting for over 20 years."
Discussions to reschedule the broadcast followed, but the court again ruled to block it, and the episode never aired. Bae Jung-hoon, the PD who directed the episode, has said: "I would like to release the unaired footage someday through OTT or other platforms."
To this day, no new evidence has emerged. As the case approaches its 30th anniversary, the truth remains shrouded in mystery.
