K-pop sensation Moonbin has passed away at 25 years old, according to a statement from his record label.
On Wednesday night, he was discovered unresponsive in his Seoul apartment by his manager, as reported by South Korean media citing police.
“He appears to have taken his own life but an autopsy is being reviewed to determine the exact cause of death,” police said.
In a heartfelt message from Fantiago, his label, Moonbin is said to have “unexpectedly left our world and became a star in the sky.”
Before joining the renowned K-pop group Astro in 2016, Moonbin had been an actor and model. He also performed with a sub-group known as Moonbin & Sanha.
Fantagio’s statement requested that individuals “refrain from speculative and malicious reports” in order to allow Moonbin’s family to mourn in peace.
As a child, Moonbin participated in Fantagio’s trainee program and eventually became a member of Astro. The group initially had six members, but one departed in February 2023.
His sister, Moon Sua, is also a K-pop singer and performs with the girl group Billlie.
Moonbin’s death adds to the growing list of K-pop stars who have tragically lost their lives in recent years.
In 2019, singer and actress Goo Hara was discovered dead at her Seoul residence. K-pop star Sulli, her close friend, took her own life that same year after a lengthy battle with online bullying.
In 2018, Minwoo from the boy band 100% passed away at his home, with his label only revealing that he had experienced cardiac arrest.
Jonghyun, a member of the prominent South Korean boy band SHINee, died in 2017.
South Korea has the highest youth suicide rate among developed nations, and while the overall suicide rate is decreasing, the number of those in their 20s taking their own lives is increasing.
The government is working to significantly lower the suicide rate, which is a persistent issue in Korea’s intensely competitive society.
Moonbin’s fans are mourning his loss while expressing gratitude for his introduction of the immensely popular K-pop genre to their lives.
