K-pop stars and idols are also in the spotlight. Their life and work become sources of news and are followed by the public. For example, sudden K-pop deaths are something that is always concerning to people. A lot of viral K-pop deaths happened in such dramatic and unexpected events. In this Channel-Korea article, learn more about K-pop stars’ deaths below.
List of 11 K-Pop Deaths You Should Know
Speaking about death, we know that death is something that can’t be avoided. Every human will reach the finish line in this world. However, the sadness of facing grief, especially with sudden K-pop deaths, is the highlight here. Here’s a list of 11 K-pop deaths. Let us remember them and support their legacy left by their beautiful hard work!
1. SHINee’s Jonghyun
Jonghyun or Kim Jong-hyun was one of the members of the boy group SHINee under SM Entertainment. He was the lead singer and also had songwriting talent. On Dec. 18, 2017, Kim Jong-hyun was found dead in his Seoul apartment because of suicide. Jonghyun suffered severe depression prior to his death. The 27-year-old idol became instantly viral in the media with his sudden leaving. Jonghyun was popular with his charismatic visuals, music talent, songwriting ability, beautiful dancing, and so much more. No one can imagine what he was suffering to cause his leaving so soon. Jonghyun sent a text to his sister that asked her to let him go and said he did his best. He also told his sister that he was having a hard time. Jonghyun also talked about this to his friend, but his depression overwhelmed him. This event also contributed to the rise in the news about the life of K-pop entertainment stars. There is a specific concern about how difficult and toxic some of the entertainment life is. Moreover, mental health issues also became more open to being talked about in the public. After his leaving this world, the rose symbol made by Shawols, the fanbase of SHINee, became an icon to commemorate him.
2. Ladies Code’s EunB and RiSe
The girl group Ladies Code was on its way home after a busy schedule. In September 2014, all of the members got into an accident after their bus crashed into the border rail in the midst of a rainstorm. Grievously, Kwon Ri-sae and Go Eun-bi died because of this accident. Kwon Ri-sae, 21 years old, suffered from a brain impact and had brain surgery after the accident. She died four days later. On the other hand, Go Eun-bi passed away directly after the bus crashed. One of the members who survived the accident, Lee So-jung, talked about her experience. She revealed that the day the accident happened was her birthday, but no one ate the birthday cake because they were afraid of gaining weight. So-jung recalled this moment and regretted that they didn’t enjoy the cake.
3. U-Nee
U-Nee or Lee Hye-ryeon was an actress and singer. She was popular from her acting into music at the beginning of the 2000s. In late January 2007, she was found hanging in her Incheon apartment in Seo-gu. From the authorities, it’s said to be an apparent suicide, yet no will or farewell note was left behind. U-Nee was still young, only 26 years old when she left this world. She was about to release her new album, Honey, in a month. However, U-Nee’s friend revealed that she was suffering depression possibly from online criticism. However, even her family didn’t realize U-Nee was struggling with her mental health. U-Nee also had a personal website. She wrote something that is predicted to be her feelings toward her life journey. She stated that she was empty and dealing with something that she didn’t know.
4. Ahn So-jin
Ahn So-jin was a K-pop star under the agency DSP Media. She was found dead in her apartment in Daejeon on February 24, 2015. The authorities gave a statement that Ahn So-jin’s death was suspected to be suicide. Prior to her death, Ahn So-jin was facing her contract ending with DSP Media. Ahn So-jin had a long story before she debuted as a K-pop star. She was a trainee in DSP Media for five years to be in a K-pop girl group. She succeeding in collaborating with Kara Project, a 2014 reality show. Kara Project was looking for members for a girl K-pop group, yet she got rank four and was not selected to be a member in the end. Later on, there was information that her agency was forming another girl group, but she found out that she was excluded from being a part of the group.
5. 100%’s Seo Min-woo
Seo Min-woo was the lead singer of the boy group 100% under TOP Media. On March 25, 2018, he was found dead in his apartment in Seoul. Minwoo was examined, and the result was that he died because of cardiac arrest. Seo Min-woo was only 33 years old when this incident happened. All of his family, fellow members, and all of TOP Media’s staff and artists faced heavy grieving for his unexpected death.
6. Tany
Tany was a K-pop singer who died because of a car accident. On April 14, 2018, his car crashed into a structure, and everything was damaged and ruined. He was only 22 years old at the time. Tany, also known as Kim Jin-soo, was previously showing his support to the victims of the Sewol Ferry Disaster in 2014. His song “Always Remember” became the song that honored this accident that killed 300 students and staff. The automotive accident entered the spotlight since several crashes had happened following Ladies Code’s accident. Artists’ management needs to review the safe schedule of their appearances in the public and consider the long work hours.
