[Trigger Warning: Mentions of Suicide]
The glamorous world of K-pop often hides a darker reality behind the scenes. And while it has helped a lot of young artists reach extraordinary fame and success, it has also created an environment rife with anxiety, emotional turmoil, and despair.
These 5 K-pop stars that we've included in our list sadly lost their lives while trying to live out their dreams.
U;Nee - Hiding her Stress and Struggling Alone
The 26-year-old singer and actress Lee Hye Ryeon, known as U;Nee, was found dead in her apartment in 2007. Though she left no note, it was ruled an apparent suicide.
READ ALSO: Sulli's Plan Before She Died Revealed + Fans Feels Heartbroken
U;Nee was said to be dealing with depression and possibly affected by online criticism, but managed to hide her stress from even her family. Her personal website featured a cryptic posting before her death, saying how she felt empty, like walking down a path to reach a destination that she didn't know.
Jonghyun - Breaking Fans' Hearts Worldwide
Kim Jong-hyun (Jonghyun), SHINee's lead singer, was found dead in his Seoul apartment in 2017 at the age of 27 in an apparent suicide. His sister claimed she called 911 after receiving distressing texts from him.
Afterwards, SM Entertainment, the singer's management at that time, released a statement saying the star had struggled with severe depression.
His friend, Jang Hee-yeon of K-pop group Dear Cloud, shared a letter Jonghyun sent him before his death, which read in part, "The depression slowly chipped me away, finally devouring me."
Seo Minwoo - Sudden Loss Leaving Fans in Mourning
33-year-old K-pop star Seo Minwoo, the lead singer of 100%, was found dead in his Seoul home in 2018, reportedly due to cardiac arrest. His record label, TOP Media, released a statement expressing their grief and mourning for Minwoo, who had been performing with 100% since 2012.
Woo Changbum, the late idol's bandmate, shared a post on Instagram at that time, saying, "May the souls of the deceased refrain. I hope you are comfortable in the sky. I want you to be a bright star and shine this world." However, it has already been deleted.
Sulli - Suffering from Consistent Criticisms
In 2019, the South Korean actress-singer Sulli, once part of the K-pop group f(x), was tragically discovered lifeless in her residence at just 25 years old. Authorities indicated that her passing was likely a suicide.
Throughout her career, Sulli encountered significant social media criticism for various personal and professional choices, such as advocating against wearing bras, being romantically involved with fellow K-pop artist Choiza, and sharing a lip-to-lip kiss with a friend.
READ ALSO: Fans Shocked by a Recent Mysterious Post on Goo Hara's Twitter
After her passing, specialists suggested that the online harassment she faced could have been a contributing factor to her premature death.
Goo Hara - Enduring Trauma and Legal Battle
K-pop star Goo Hara, a member of the group Kara, was found dead in her Seoul home in 2019 at the age of 28. Though the cause of death was not confirmed, police noted that a handwritten note expressing pessimism about her life was found.
Hara survived a suspected suicide attempt in May of the same year.
These heartbreaking stories of K-pop artists show that tremendous amounts of strains and psychological battles accompany stardom.
