Tributes have poured in from across South Korea’s music and entertainment industries for Choi Jin-ri, better known as f(x) star Sulli, who died yesterday aged 25.
Sulli, an actor and singer, was found dead at her apartment in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province yesterday after her manager was unable to contact her. Police said that they are treating the death as a possible suicide.
Many other members of the K-pop industry paid their respects on social media. Goo Hara, a singer and former member of girl group Kara, wrote on Instagram: “In that world, I hope Jin-Ri (Sulli’s real name) does what she wants to do.”
Sunmi, formerly of Wonder Girls, shared a photo of Sulli on her Instagram Stories with the caption “So elegant.” Gyuri wrote: “A beautiful and bright child. It’s hard to reveal my feelings in words. I hope the world becomes a place where we care about how we act kindly towards each other more.”
Ahn Jae Hyun, an actor and friend of Sulli, wrote: “It can’t be, it can’t be, right... right, it can’t be?” Another actor, Goo Hye-Sun, wrote: “Sleep well, baby Sulli. I love you.”
Amber Liu, who was also in f(x), announced that she was putting a hold on any upcoming activity.
Shinhwa, member of the group Dongwan, wrote a post about the treatment of mental health in the South Korean entertainment industry, as All K-pop reports.
Actor Shin Hyun-Joon, criticised people who left negative and bullying comments directed at Sulli: “Another precious life has left us. Malicious commenters. You are cowardly and faceless murderers.”
Outside of direct tributes, many other figures delayed or postponed their planned promotional tributes out of respect for Sulli’s memory, including N.Flying, SuperM, NCT Dream, Amber, Kim Yoo Jung, SF9, and NU’EST, and Super Junior.
The TV series Night of Hate Comments, of which Sulli was a co-presenter, pulled episodes from broadcast.
SM Entertainment, Sulli’s label, said they were creating a memorial for fans to pay condolences.
Read some of the tributes below.
Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 (UK) and 116 123 (ROI). The US National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.