Seoul/Hong Kong (CNN) Global fans reacted with shock and sadness at the death of 25-year-old K-pop star Moon Bin, a member of popular boy band Astro.
His music label Fantagio confirmed Moon Bin’s death on Thursday, saying he “suddenly left us and has become a star in the sky.”
“It is with such great sadness and sadness that all Astro members, Fantagio colleagues, executives and long-time staff members mourn the loss of the deceased,” the music label said, adding that Moon Bin “has always loved the fans more and thought of her as anyone.”
The star was found dead by his manager at his home in south Seoul around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday night, according to an officer at the Gangnam Police Station.
Gangnam Police told CNN on Thursday that authorities believe Moon Bin took his own life. “No evidence of foul play was found in connection with this case,” police added.
Social media was filled with condolences as fans expressed their excitement at the celebrity’s death, the latest highlighting the often intense pressure celebrities face in Korea’s competitive and stressful entertainment industry.
The hashtag #moonbin on Twitter was trending with over 2.6 million tweets worldwide, with some posts in English, Spanish, Indonesian, Tagalog and Thai.
Meanwhile, social media videos showed fans in Chile erecting a memorial to the late star and lining a wall with white and purple balloons, Astro’s theme colors.
A fan who commented On the video shared on Twitter, he said: “Rest in Peace Moonbin…You had words from [comfort] for others. I wish you’d talked about your pain… calm, sweet angel.”
“You are now a star in the sky, watching over the people you love. Hearts and thoughts go out to his loved ones and all AROHAs,” MTV Asia tweetedbased on the name, Astros call themselves fans.
child stars
Many K-pop icons start training as young teenagers and spend years honing their singing, dancing and acting skills before even having a chance to debut their first song.
K-pop idols are known to face intense pressure from their strict management, which has been linked to a mental health crisis in the industry.
South Korea has the highest youth suicide rate among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations.
In 2021, South Korea’s suicide rate was 26 per 100,000 people, and while the country’s overall suicide rate is falling, the number of deaths among people in their 20s is rising, according to the country’s Health and Human Services Ministry.
Members of K-pop band Astro, Yoon San-Ha, MJ, Moon Bin and Cha Eun-Woo attend the 26th High1 Seoul Music Awards on January 19, 2017 at Jamsil Arena.
Moon Bin debuted Astro in 2016. The other members of the group are Jinjin, MJ, Cha Eun-woo, and Yoon San-ha.
He also performed as part of a sub-group called Moon Bin & Sanha, which has been touring Asia for the past few months.
Before his death, the duo was scheduled to perform in Busan next month as part of the port city’s bid for the 2030 World’s Fair and in Jakarta on May 13.
Moon Bin entered the entertainment industry as a child actor, making his debut in the 2009 Korean Broadcasting System TV drama Boys Over Flowers. The series was widely popular and its dubbed version was broadcast worldwide and gained many fans from Southeast Asia.
His sister Moon Sua is also a K-pop celebrity and performs as part of the girl group Billlie.
To get help: In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The International Association for Suicide Prevention And friends worldwide can also provide contact information for crisis centers around the world.
CNN’s Jiwon Jeong contributed to the coverage