The Tragic Story Of A Korean Man — Kidnapped And Murdered On Vacation — That Left The Studio In Tears

On an episode of SBS‘s The Story of the Day, Biting the Tail Season 2 (Kkokkomu), the tragic story of 30-year-old Hong Suk Dong broke the hearts of the entire studio.

It was 12 years ago, in September 2011, that the story begins. Hong Suk Dong had decided to go on a solo trip out to the Philippines for a vacation. His trip, however, quickly turned into tragedy. According to the SBS show, the 30-year-old contacted his parents shortly after his arrival in the Philippines with a money transfer request.

I became involved with an underaged girl and need ₩10.0 million KRW (about $7,670 USD) in settlement money.

— Hong Suk Dong

While his parents quickly transferred their son the ₩10.0 million KRW (about $7,670 USD) he requested, it wasn’t long after that he went missing. After being unable to get in contact with their son, Hong Suk Dong’s mother received a phone call from an unknown Korean man a few days following their money transfer.

This call is an expensive foreign call so I don’t want to be doing this right now. This may be the last call you receive. If you decide you don’t want to speak to us, we won’t contact you any further.

— Unknown Korean man

When Hong Suk Dong’s mother asked, “where is my son,” the unknown Korean man delivered the tragic news of his death, as well as their further demands for more money.

I’m sorry, but he’s dead. You should come and and at least take his bones. Please have ₩10.0 million KRW (about $7,670 USD) ready in US dollars. 2:00 tomorrow. We’ll call you again.

— Korean Man

It was reported by the SBS variety show that Hong Suk Dong had been kidnapped and killed in a money extortion scheme. A group of Koreans living in the Philippines are said to have been the ones responsible for executing this plan. And while this began to anger the studio of the talk show, with actor Lee Yi Kyung responding, “I really want to curse right now,” the following story is what erupted the show’s studio into instant tears.

After two agonizing years following Hong Suk Dong’s tragic death, his father is said to have ended his life by suicide.

With another tragic ending, the studio read the father’s last known letter to his son. It was during these words that the studio began to cry out in heartbreak. Actor Lee Yi Kyung,

To my son Suk Dong-ah, whom I miss very much. I had a dream about you last night.

— Hong Suk Dong’s father

Actor Jang Hyun Sung,

It’s already been 2 years since you went missing and were kidnapped. We’re still not sure whether you’re alive or dead.

— Hong Suk Dong’s father

Model Lee Hyun Yi,

I don’t know what to do with myself as my eyes cloud with tears every time I think of you.

— Hong Suk Dong’s father

And comedian Jang Do Yeon all could not hold back their tears.

Hong Suk Dong’s mother appeared on the show to conclude the segment with a heartbreaking comment.

I heard that you’re supposed to bury your child in your heart, but it’s been 10 years and it seems like it happened only yesterday. I still feel like he’ll appear one day and say mom.

— Hong Suk Dong’s mother

Hong Suk Dong’s case was concluded in 2014, after local Philippine residents found his skeletal remains. However, the serial Filipino-Korean kidnapping and murder case has not been fully resolved. While some of the perpetrators have been imprisoned, according to local Philippine authorities, the other victims bodies have not yet been found. One of the perpetrators was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the kidnappings.

In addition to Hong Suk Dong, it is believed that the same perpetrators kidnapped and murdered 4 other Koreans in a similar money extortion scheme. Out of the five Korean victims, only two bodies have been found.