Eleanor Lee Pays Tribute To Co-Star After His Sudden Death At 33: "You Took Good Care Of Me"

China-based Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee is mourning the loss of Chinese actor Jin Ze, who died unexpectedly on June 4 at the age of 33.

The shocking news was confirmed by Jin Ze's management company, Shengshi Guangnian Culture, on June 6.

In a statement, the agency said the actor, known for rom-coms like Forget You Remember Love, Begin Again, and Legally Romance, had passed away at his home in Hangzhou and asked the public to respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time.

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Following the announcement, Eleanor, who starred alongside Jin Ze in Fake Princess (2020) and Give You My Heart (2024), took to social media to pay tribute to her friend and former co-star.

Sharing a series of photos of them together, she wrote: “Honestly, I don’t have the words for this tribute. It was very sudden news to me, all I can say is you were a great friend and a great person. We had a lot of fun on set, and you took good care of me, we always said we’d meet again whenever we were in the same city, but after years and all the work that brought us apart. You were still a good friend that I kept in touch with. You will be missed, rest in peace my friend.”

According to Chinese media reports, Jin Ze had returned to his residence after wrapping work on a drama set before he was later found dead.

As news of his passing spread online, speculation about the cause of death quickly surfaced.

Some netizens questioned whether the demanding schedules often associated with micro drama productions may have affected his health, with others pointing to his reportedly intense fitness and diet regimen.

However, none of these claims have been substantiated.

In its statement, Jin Ze's agency urged the public not to spread rumours or speculate about the circumstances surrounding his death, adding that his family is currently handling funeral arrangements.

The 188cm-tall star started out as a model and even walked the runways of Milan Fashion Week.

He made the switch to acting in 2017 and quickly found success in Chinese rom-coms, thanks to his striking looks and screen presence.