The South Korean K-Pop star, Kim Jong-Hyun was found unresponsive in his Seoul home. He was rushed to the local hospital, but it was too late. Kim Jong-Hyun passed away at the age of 27. According to Radar Online, his death was being ruled as a suicide. The police have not disclosed any other information about his death.
Jonghyun was a pop sensation in South Korea
Kim Jong-Hyun was known to his fans as Jonghyun. He was the lead singer of a popular boy band, SHINee. After receiving an ominous call from Jong-Hyun, his sister, worried about his welfare, called the police to make sure he was okay.
By the time the police arrived at his home, it was too late. The pop star was unresponsive.
“On December 18 at 4:42 PM, Jung-Hyun's older sister reported to police that her brother was about to take his own life,” the police reported.
Jonghyun allegedly sent text messages to his sister that suggested he wanted to kill himself. He asked her to let him go. He asked her if he did well in life and told her this was their final goodbye.
Tributes from heartbroken fans have poured in on social media. Many couldn't believe he took his life at such a young age. One fan tweeted that he was a strong vocalist and a great songwriter. Another fan revealed that her favorite song was "Breathe." She felt such sadness that he was in so much pain and felt he had to take his own life.
Dear Kim Jong Hyun,
— Monsieur94 (@Monsieur94_sh) December 18, 2017
You will always be remembered, missed and loved.
And never be forgotten.
May your soul live in peace, as of memories of you live on.
Monsieur_94
1AM kst we'll do twitter shut down for Kim Jong Hyun. please spread.
— cheska (@sprinkledjongin) December 18, 2017
Kim Jong-hyun, better known by the mononym Jonghyun, You have all your duties fulfilled, in your heart there was no guilt. So you shall forever stay at ease and in the heavens above, rest in peace.😭🙏
— 두려움없는 현ˊㅅˋ (@baekhyowed) December 18, 2017
Increased fame and pressure was too much for the entertainer
According to People, SHINee was formed in 2008 and released their fifth Japanese album, "Five," this year.
They toured in Japan until April. The band was affectionately called "the Princes of K-Pop" by their fans. They were dubbed this name because of their showstopping dance moves and captivating live performances. The band was very popular in South Korea and became quite popular in Japan, too.
Fans pour in support
SM Entertainment, the company that represents the K-Pop boyband, released a statement about the singers passing.
“We are sorry to be the bringer of such tragic, heart-breaking news. On December 18th, SHINee’s Jonghyun left us very suddenly. He was discovered unconscious at a residence in Chungdam-Dong, Seoul and was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. Our sadness cannot compare to the pain of his family, who had to say goodbye to a son and a brother. But we have spent a long time with him, and SHINee members and SM Entertainment staff are all in deep mourning and shock."
The statement added that, per his family's request, they are planning a private funeral with his friends, family, and colleagues. They wished his family their deepest condolences.
If you ever feel like harming yourself, you don't have to end your life. Please reach out to someone you trust. If you don't have anyone to talk to, call the toll-free suicide prevention hotline at (800) 273-8255.
