K-pop star Moonbin dies aged 25 in suspected suicide as tributes flood in for star
20 April 2023, 08:21
Moonbin, member of popular K-pop group Astro, has died at the age of just 25, authorities have confirmed.
The 25-year-old was found dead at his Seoul apartment yesterday evening. South Korean police have said the star was found after failing to turn up to rehearsals.
"He appears to have taken his own life but an autopsy is being reviewed to determine the exact cause of death," police said.
Astro's record label Fantagio Music, in a statement that was also shared on the band's Instagram, said: 'On April 19th, Astro member Moonbin suddenly left us and became a star in the sky.
“Although it cannot be compared to the grief of the bereaved families who lost their beloved sons and brothers, the Astro members who have been with us for a long time, as well as our Fantagio fellow artists and executives, are deeply mourning the deceased in great sadness and shock.
“It is even more heartbreaking to deliver the sudden news to the fans who have supported Moonbin and sent him generous love.
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“I am more heartbroken because I know the heart of the deceased who always loved and thought of his fans more than anyone else.”
The funeral for the Astro star will reportedly be an intimate one held amongst friends and family.
In 2019 Moonbin took a break from the band due to health reasons, but he later returned to the spotlight in 2020.
The star was scheduled to to perform later this week and in May with another member of the band, but this has since been cancelled after the unexpected news.
Lumina Entertainment said: “After long discussion and consideration, we have to cancel this event due to unforseen circumstances beyond our control that we could not avoid”.
Astro fans - known as "Arohas" - have been mourning Moonbin's death. Fans have laid flowers and post-it notes at impromptu street memorials across South Korea.
