Angelo Ruelan
Table of Contents
Korean pop music, aka K-pop, undeniably took the world by storm in the 1940s and has only continued to get more popular in the years since. It has evolved into one of today’s most beloved genres, with Korean pop idols gracing stages and making appearances worldwide. It’s become a staple in Korean culture.
Tragically, the spotlight dims for some of these famous Korean celebrities as their untimely deaths put an abrupt end to their vibrant careers, leaving a void in the industry of Korean pop culture.
Here are 20 Kpop idols who died too soon. These surely are Korean idols we will never forget thanks to their impact on the music-industry.
1. Moonbin
As a member of the K-pop boy group ASTRO, Moonbin is the first on our list of K-pop idols who died too soon. The effervescent singer was just 25, died at his home in the Gangnam District of Seoul, where he was said to live alone. Police investigations noted that “it appears he took his own life.”
Though the reason behind it is still shrouded in mystery, many have pointed out the intense demands and pressure placed on those in the K-pop industry. Fans paid their tributes by laying flowers and notes at street memorials in South Korea and worldwide.
2. Sulli
As a member of the second-generation girl group, f(x), Sulli has always been one to break social norms in South Korea.
From defying the industry’s carefully crafted image of a young female star by live-streaming a drinking session, not wearing a bra in public, and revealing she was in a relationship, she was targeted by online abuse and cyberbullying.
Unfortunately, one can only take so much hate before giving in. The K-pop star was found dead in her apartment. The 25-year-old’s death was ruled a suicide.
3. Goo Hara
Another victim of the terrible pressure and intense predicament of being a K-pop idol is Goo Hara. The former member of Kara was said to be recovering from a previous suicide attempt when she was found dead in her home in Seoul, South Korea.
The police pieced together the details after discovering her suicide note.
Before her untimely demise, Goo Hara’s Instagram account had been filled with derogatory comments about her appearance and her past with her ex-boyfriend, Choi Jung-bum. Choi was later imprisoned for blackmail and threats, as he had attempted to coerce the 28-year-old into releasing intimate pictures.
Related: The 15 Best Asian Musicians
4. Kim Jong-hyun
Next on our list of K-pop idols who died too soon is Kim Jong-hyun, known solely as Jonghyun. The vocalist of Shinee had a long battle with depression, and sadly, on December 18, 2017, he succumbed to its terrible grip.
“The depression that had been slowly eating me up finally devoured me, and I couldn’t defeat it.” He wrote in his suicide note. The 27-year-old singer was found unconscious at a private hotel in Seoul, and his death was ruled a suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. RiSe
Kwon Ri-se, aka RiSe of Ladies’ Code, was at the pinnacle of her career when tragedy struck, marking her as one of the K-pop idols who died too soon. On September 3, 2014, the group’s bush crashed, and RiSe was critically injured and died four days later on September 7. The manager was said to be speeding in rainy conditions when they lost control, leading to the back tire falling out.
Despite undergoing several hours of emergency brain surgery, the 23-year-old remained unconscious until her death.
6. Eun B
RiSe’s fellow Ladies’ Code member, EunB, also suffered in the same tragedy that took RiSe’s life away. EunB was tragically found dead at the crash site, creating an irreplaceable void in the industry and making her a part of our list of K-pop idols who died too soon.
Related: The 21 Worst K-Pop Songs of All Time
7. Lee Ji Han
Before becoming a renowned actor, Lee Jihan first made his debut in the entertainment industry by competing in the second season of the Korean singing competition Produce 101. Though he couldn’t land a spot in the 11-member boy band, Lee Jihan was seen blossoming in the world of acting.
Tragically, the curtain came down abruptly for this idol as the 24-year-old actor and singer lost his life in the Halloween crowd surge in Seoul on October 31, 2022. 935 Entertainment described him as a “lovely and warm friend to everyone” and a “bright and pure person who always greeted everyone with a smile.”
8. Tany
Another young Korean star whose life was claimed by a horrifying car crash was 22-year-old Tany.
Known famously for his song paying tribute to more than 300 victims of a ferry disaster, the “Always Remember” singer died after his car was said to have collided with a structure on his way to the city of Mokpo.
9. U;Nee
U;Nee was another K-pop idol who fell prey to the harsh realities of the entertainment industry. Due to the low sales of her album, her record label chose to market U;Nee as a sexy singer.
The concept caused the public to criticize her, and U;Nee, who was soft-spoken and reserved behind the spotlight, found the predicament too difficult to bear. She hung herself on January 21, 2007, in her apartment. She was only 25.
Related: 23 Famous People Who Committed Suicide
10. Yohan
TST’s band member, Yohan, is next on our list of K-pop idols who died too soon, but unlike others, the details of his death have remained tight-lipped. The band’s record label shocked the world when they relayed the sorrowful news on June 16, 2020, but chose not to disclose the cause of his death out of respect for his family’s wishes.
11. Ahn So Jin
Another victim of an apparent suicide was up-and-coming K-pop star Ahn So Jin, who passed away on February 24, 2015., according to Billboard. The singer was discovered unconscious near her apartment garden, having jumped from the 10th floor. While not officially confirmed, many speculate it was suicide, considering the singer was battling depression at the time.
12. Seo Jae Ho
A member of the boy group Wanted, Seo Jae Ho is tragically on our list of K-pop idols who died too soon. On their way to Gangneung for a recording on March 11, 2004, Seo Jae Ho got into a car accident that tragically took his life.
The incident was attributed to the demanding schedules imposed on idols, forcing them to drive long hours at high speeds, particularly at night.
13. Kim Ha Neul
K-pop powerhouse and iconic soloist Kim Ha Neul, more famously known as Rottyful Sky, is tragically one of many K-pop idols who died too soon. At the young age of 25, she passed away after battling a brain tumor. The singer slipped into a coma during her treatment and passed away on October 8, 2013.
Although her life ended abruptly, fans and listeners who discovered her work continue to be amazed by her immense and raw talent.
14. Seo Minwoo
Another sudden loss that shook the world was the death of the lead singer of K-pop boy band 100%, Seo Minwoo. The rising star was found in his home in Gangnam on March 25, 2018, in a state of cardiac arrest at just 33 years old. Many have speculated that the cause of death may be tied to a drug overdose.
15. Woo Hye Mi
Woo Hye Mi, better known as Miwoo, also left fans in disbelief with her sudden passing at only 31 years old. First debuted on Mnet’s “The Voice of Korea,” she continuously worked hard and became part of the mainstream.
Unfortunately, on September 21, 2019, she was found dead at her home in Mapo. To this day, the cause of her death remains unknown and shrouded in mystery.
16. Cha In-ha
Yet another K-pop star whose death remains unresolved is Cha In-ha. The former member of Surprise U was found dead at his home in Seoul on December 3, 2019. Up until today, the specific cause of Cha’s death remains undisclosed, and his management agency has requested that people refrain from engaging in speculation about the 27-year-old.
Related: 15 Best Asian Singers
17. Iron
At the time of his death, South Korean rapper Jung Hun-cheol, aka Iron, was very familiar with facing legal troubles, as he had once been arrested for assaulting his roommate with a bat and was sentenced to prison for punching his girlfriend.
But regardless of his previous misconduct, it still shocked the world when news broke that he was discovered lifeless and unconscious in an apartment in Jung District, Seoul, on January 25, 2021. To this day, the actual cause of the 29-year-old’s death remains unknown, leaving the question unanswered as to whether Iron died by suicide or not.
18. J. Yoon
J. Yoon, lead singer of the hit Korean band MC the Max, also makes our list of K-pop idols who died too soon. The 39-year-old singer was found dead at his home in Seoul, leaving an irreplaceable void in Korean music.
19. Haesoo
Famous Korean singer Haesoo is also another artist who was a victim of depression, a recurring problem in the Korean entertainment industry. One of the more recent entries on our list, the singer was found lifeless in a hotel room with a suicide note on May 15, 2023. The death of the 29-year-old adds yet another chapter to the growing list of Korean pop stars who lost their fight with mental illness.
20. Kim Dong Yoon
Last on our list of K-pop idols who died too soon is the main rapper of the K-pop group Spectrum, Kim Dong Yoon, who died on July 27, 2018. Before his passing, the 20-year-old was interacting with his fans through a live stream on his social media, which is why his sudden death shocked the world.
To this day, his death remains unknown. Some suspect that he was overworked or was put on a ridiculous diet that caused him to have a heart attack, but just like many on our list, it might be something we will never know.
But one more thing rings true for all our entries. They will forever be remembered in Korean popular culture as some of the best Korean stars and singers to have ever graced the stage.
You May Also Like:
Comments
0 comments