Okin Collective Members Jin Shiu and Yi Joungmin Die by Suicide in Seoul

Jin Shiu and Yi Joungmin, founding members of Okin Collective, were discovered deceased in their Seoul residence on August 17, 2019. Their deaths were confirmed as suicides. Artforum published an email the artists sent to friends, which cited severe financial strain and disputes within the collective as contributing factors. The message expressed profound exhaustion and apologized for distress caused by the internal conflict, stating they felt compelled to take responsibility through this final act. Founded in 2009 by Jin, Yi, and Hwayong Kim, Okin Collective emerged as a response to gentrification in South Korea, specifically targeting the demolition of the Okin civil apartment complex that inspired their name. The group staged interventions and installations at demolition sites to protest government neglect of social welfare and living conditions. They later produced Okin Internet Radio, broadcasting interviews, performances, and discussions, including coverage of the Fukushima radiation leak. In 2018, Okin Collective was a finalist for the Korean Art Prize, administered by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, but reportedly ceased operations later that year. The artists' farewell note lamented their struggle to validate the sincerity and effort they invested in their artistic practice, expressing a forlorn belief that artists are defined by their dedication to art.