{"id":714,"date":"2025-09-11T02:48:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/?p=714"},"modified":"2025-09-11T02:50:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:50:06","slug":"lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Lim Jae Wook of The Stray Dies at 37 After a Long Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Fans and fellow musicians are mourning Lim Jae Wook, the keyboardist of the Korean band The Stray, who has died at 37 after a long illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group shared the news through its official channels, asking fans to pray for his peaceful rest and remembering him as a warm presence who supported the band through music. Reports state that the band disclosed the news on September 7, while Korean media note that he passed away on September 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-7209e143 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-715\" width=\"665\" height=\"432\" title=\"Screenshot (10)\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-56a251e1\"><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#The_Bands_Statement_and_What_We_Know\" title=\"The Band\u2019s Statement and What We Know\">The Band\u2019s Statement and What We Know<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#Timeline_of_Events\" title=\"Timeline of Events\">Timeline of Events<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#Who_He_was_in_The_Stray\" title=\"Who He was in The Stray\">Who He was in The Stray<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#Music_that_Connected_with_Fans\" title=\"Music that Connected with Fans\">Music that Connected with Fans<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#The_Strays_Concert\" title=\"The Strays&#8217; Concert\">The Strays&#8217; Concert<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#How_fans_responded\" title=\"How fans responded\">How fans responded<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/lim-jae-wook-of-the-stray-dies-at-37-after-a-long-illness\/#If_You_are_New_to_The_Stray\" title=\"If You are New to The Stray\">If You are New to The Stray<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bands_Statement_and_What_We_Know\"><\/span>The Band\u2019s Statement and What We Know<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Stray told fans their \u201cbeloved keyboardist\u201d had left after a long battle with illness. The members said all five who started the band gathered to walk with him on his final path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They remembered his cheerfulness during treatment and thanked him for the melodies he left behind. The group did not specify the illness. These details come from the band\u2019s public notice and Korean outlets that translated the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-30fa32b9\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Timeline_of_Events\"><\/span>Timeline of Events<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Korean coverage indicates Lim died on September 5. The group\u2019s announcement was posted on September 7. International entertainment sites picked up the news on September 10 and September 11 in Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This explains why some readers saw the headline a few days after the actual date of death. It is common for families and bandmates to notify fans after private rites or internal arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-70b7b54e\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_He_was_in_The_Stray\"><\/span>Who He was in The Stray<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Lim Jae Wook was a founding member and the band\u2019s keyboardist. He helped shape The Stray\u2019s sound on stage and in the studio. The group debuted in 2014 and is known among rock listeners for emotive melodies and reflective lyrics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/kindie.fandom.com\/wiki\/The_Stray\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">band\u2019s catalog<\/a> includes early singles that introduced their mellow pop-rock style to local audiences. Coverage in Korean and international media credits Lim for steady musicianship and quiet leadership within the lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-6fbf15a1\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Music_that_Connected_with_Fans\"><\/span>Music that Connected with Fans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Articles referencing the group\u2019s history highlight songs that built the band\u2019s reputation across small venues and local festivals. Pieces mention early digital singles and later tracks that cemented their identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listeners often describe The Stray\u2019s mood as wistful and healing. Lim\u2019s keys anchored that feeling with gentle textures and patient builds. Even casual fans could hear his touch in the intros and bridges that gave the band room to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-c2ccbad0\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Strays_Concert\"><\/span>The Strays&#8217; Concert<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Reports say the group\u2019s concert planned for September 14 will proceed as scheduled. That is a hard call for any band, yet it can be a way to honor a member in front of people who care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the show goes on, expect a quiet moment in the set for Lim. Expect photos. Expect a keyboard on stage, even if no one sits there. The choice to play would echo the message in their statement about keeping his music alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-21d2edc5\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_fans_responded\"><\/span>How fans responded<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Within hours of the news, comments on community posts shifted from surprise to remembrance. Listeners shared clips of live sessions where Lim\u2019s keys guided the melody and steadied the band. Others wrote about meeting him after small shows and how kind he was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how indie scenes remember their own. Not with grand narratives. With short notes about nights when a song helped someone get through the week. International headlines amplified the story, but the most personal tributes came from people who stood close to the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-30634e61\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_You_are_New_to_The_Stray\"><\/span>If You are New to The Stray<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with their early digital singles, then find the live clips that fans share most. Listen for the spaces between the chords and the way the keys open room for the vocal to land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will hear why people are grieving and grateful at the same time. Music becomes memory. The best moments sound like someone wrote them for you. That is how Lim played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For continuing updates and thoughtful coverage, visit <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/\" title=\"\">Saranghero<\/a><\/strong> for the latest Kpop and Kdrama news, features, and editorials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fans and fellow musicians are mourning Lim Jae Wook, the keyboardist of the Korean band The Stray, who has died 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and fellow musicians are mourning Lim Jae Wook, the keyboardist of the Korean band The Stray, who has died [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=714"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":716,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions\/716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}