Fans and fellowperformers on Tuesday mourned the death of a K-pop star who had long been thetarget of online bullying, some calling for greater mental health support forthose working in the country's notoriously competitive show businessindustry. The body of Sulli, a formermember of top girl group f(x), was discovered Monday by her manager at her homeon the outskirts of Seoul.
"There hasbeen no evidence of an outsider having broken in, or any other crimes committedby another person," an official from Seongnam Sujeong Police Agency toldAFP. "Suicide is among the possible causes." Authorities said the25-year-old had been suffering from "severe depression". South Koreahas one of the world's highest rates of suicide which, according to recentgovernment figures, is among the top causes of death for those under 40.
"I wish Icould hope for Sulli to be the last idol to die from suicide and mentalillness," tweeted one fan. "But knowing how cruel society is, I can'thelp but be afraid about who's going to be the next one." Beneath theglitz and glamour, the K-pop industry is known for its cut-throatcompetitiveness, a lack of privacy, online bullying and relentless publicpressure to maintain a wholesome image at all times and at any cost.
Mental healthtaboo
K-pop stars likeSulli are picked up by agencies at a young age-usually in their early- ormid-teens-and their lives then taken over by grueling singing and dancingtraining. Taboos about mental illness dissuade many South Koreans from seekinghelp. Sulli's death echoes that of fellow K-pop star Jonghyun, who took hislife in 2017 after battling with depression. Both were members of the SMEntertainment stable, one of the country's biggest talent agencies.
K-pop singer GooHara, a close friend of the late star, was also sent to hospital last yearafter a suspected suicide attempt. Goo had been abused by her ex who threatenedto post her spycam sex vidoes online. "I hope Jin-ri is now in a placewhere she can do whatever she wants," Goo wrote on Instagram-using Sulli'sreal name and sharing photos of the two of them together. Sulli, who startedher career as a child actress at age 11, made her debut in 2009 for f(x), whichquickly became one of K-pop's top girl groups.
Known forbehavior considered controversial in South Korea-including her refusal to weara bra in public-she had been relentlessly bullied online throughout her career,with many sexually abusive comments. She recently hosted a TV series wherecelebrities discussed their experiences of online abuse. She had also candidlyshared her experience struggling with panic disorder and social phobia.
Her outspokennessresonated with many young South Korean women who have been leading a new waveof feminists fighting a patriarchal society obsessed with looks. "Beingone of the first female artists in K-pop to talk about mental health andfeminism is amazing. I love you so much Sulli - I hope in heaven you arefinally free," a fan wrote in a tweet.--AFP