Moonbin, a member of the K-pop boy group ASTRO, was found dead on Wednesday, April 19th.
Official Police and Fantagio Statements
According to E. Cha at Soompi, Moonbin was found dead in his home by his manager on April 19th at approximately 8:10pm, KST. He lived in the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea.
The Seoul Gangnam Police Station stated, “It appears that Moonbin took his own life.” They also said, “We are currently discussing the possibility of an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.”
Soon after the news arose, Moonbin’s label, Fantagio Music, released a statement of their own concerning his death. In the early morning of April 20th, KST, they said the following:
“This is Fantagio.
First, we apologize for having to convey this sorrowful and heartbreaking news.
On April 19, ASTRO member Moonbin suddenly left us and has now become a star in the sky.
Although it cannot compare to the grief of the bereaved family that had to part with their beloved son and brother, his fellow artists and the staff here at Fantagio, who have been together with him for a long time, are also deeply mourning the departed amidst tremendous shock and sorrow.
It pains us even more to have to convey this sudden news to the fans who have given their unsparing love and support to Moonbin. Because we know all too well just how unparalleled the departed [Moonbin] was in his love for his fans, whom he was constantly thinking of, the grief is all the more overwhelming.
In order for the bereaved family, who has fallen into great sorrow due to this sudden tragedy, to be able to respectfully mourn the departed and say their goodbyes, we entreat you to please refrain from speculative or malicious reports.
In accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family, the funeral will be held as quietly as possible, with family, close friends, and agency colleagues in attendance.
Once again, we express our deep mourning as the departed walks his final path.”
This translation was provided by E. Cha at Soompi.
Moonbin and the K-pop Industry
This news hits the K-pop world hard, for several reasons. Moonbin was a beloved member of the well-known group ASTRO. He was a singer, actor, and model. He was also the older brother of Moon Sua, a member of the K-pop girl group Billie.
Additionally, Moonbin had been set to perform at the Dream Concert in Busan, South Korea in May as part of ASTRO’s sub-unit group Moonbin & Sanha. He was one half of this group and shared the other half with ASTRO’s youngest member, Sanha. They had recently dropped their third EP, Incense, back in January.
The fact that the police believe Moonbin’s death to be suicide raises cause for concern once again in the K-pop industry with a number K-pop idols falling victim to the immense pressures of their careers in K-pop.
Both fans and K-pop idols themselves are shaken and saddened by his passing. On his Instagram story, SHINee’s Taemin released a heartfelt message to Moonbin. Taemin’s own SHINee group member, Jonghyun, committed suicide in December of 2017. Translated by AKP Staff at ALLKPOP, the message read:
“I remember you shining on stage. I hope that you’re happy where you are and that you’re always shining there.”
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