SHINee lead singer Jonghyun dies in apparent suicide
Police say 27-year-old K-pop star was rushed to hospital in a state of cardiac arrest
Kim Jong-hyun, the lead singer of world’s biggest K-pop band SHINee, has died in an apparent suicide, South Korean police said today.
The 27-year-old frontman, known as Jonghyun, was found unconscious in a rented apartment in Seoul, reports The Independent.
According to Metro, citing South Korean news outlets, Jonghyun had texted his sister shortly before, saying: “It’s been too hard. Please send me off. Tell everyone I’ve had a hard time. This is my last goodbye.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His worried sister then called emergency services, says the Daily Mirror. Police said Jonghyun was rushed to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest. He is believed to have been pronounced dead after a team at the hospital performed CPR on him.
The cause of death is thought to be carbon monoxide poisoning, the newspaper says.
Investigators discovered brown coal being burnt in a frying pan when they arrived at the apartment, reports South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. Police told the BBC Korean Service that suicide will be investigated as a possibility.
SHINee have been dubbed the “Princes of K-pop” - a musical genre that started in South Korea and that mixes electronic, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music. The group have released five albums.
Tributes flooded in on social media as news of Jonghyun’s death spread.
If someone you’re worried about expresses suicidal feelings, you or they should contact a GP or the NHS 111 helpline. You can also call the Samaritans on 116 123 for confidential, 24-hour support, or call Mind, the mental health charity, on 0300 123 3393.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Make a splash at these 8 refreshing water parks
The Week Recommends Cool off while having a blast
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Tall Tales: thousands slip in Gloucestershire cheese-rolling race
Tall Tales The Week's round-up of the latest odd news
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
What is South Korea's 4B movement and could it take off in the West?
Under The Radar Believing Korean men 'beyond redemption' some women are swearing off them completely
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why K-pop stars keep relationships hidden
Under The Radar South Korea's £8bn music industry imposes strict rules on its biggest stars
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
Trip of the week: exploring the quieter side of South Korea
The Week Recommends You can see a lot in two weeks, from the ‘pristine’ beaches of the north to the ‘lush’ hills of the south
By The Week Staff Published
-
South Korean police chief says he feels "heavy responsibility" for Halloween crowd crush
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published