Artículo Lead singer of K-pop band dies aged 27 from suicide, exposing ruthlessness of industry News

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Lead singer of K-pop band dies aged 27 from suicide, exposing ruthlessness of industry

Kim Jong-hyun was a shining light in South Korea's burgeoning K-pop scene, but he struggled with the pressures of fame and depression

Anna Freeman

19 Diciembre 2017 15:58

Fans of K-pop superstar Kim Jong-hyun are mourning at the loss of the 27-year-old singer who died Monday after committing suicide at an apartment in the Gangnam district of Seoul.

Known widely as Jonghyun to his fans, Kim's death was confirmed by his management company, SM Entertainment. ‘We are sorry to share such heartbreaking and tragic news... SHINee's Jonghyun left us suddenly.’

Police said his death wasn't being investigated as suspicious and Jonghyun's family had not requested an autopsy. They said Jonghyun's sister called them to the apartment at about 6 p.m. Monday, reportedly after receiving troubling text messages from him.

‘Please let me go. Tell me I did well,’ and, ‘Final farewell,’ the star wrote in the messages, according to South Korean media. Jonghyun was rushed to a nearby university hospital where he was declared dead later that evening, SM Entertainment said in the statement.

The singer had an enormous fan base as the lead singer of K-pop band SHINee. The group rose to prominence after the release of their debut EP Replay back in 2008.

Jonghyun had previously spoken about the difficulties of being in the spotlight and that he struggled with depression. K-pop is a notoriously cut-throat industry, and his death will shed light on the exploitative mechanisms of fame and capitalism.

RIP.

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