K-pop star Moon Bin, known by the stagename Moonbin, has died aged 25, his music label Fantagio said on Thursday.
Moon Bin, a member of the popular boy band Astro and a splinter duo Moonbin&Sanha, was found unresponsive in his Gangnam, Seoul, apartment by his manager on Wednesday evening. Gangnam police have not yet provided a cause of death pending an autopsy, but officials told South Korean news media that it is believed he took his own life. They added that there were no signs of foul play in connection with the death.
Fantagio confirmed the death on Twitter, writing that Moon Bin had “suddenly left us and became a star in the sky.”
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“ASTRO members, fellow Fantagio artists, company executives, and employees are mourning the deceased in great sadness and shock,” the statement added, noting that Moon Bin “always loved and thought of the fans more than anyone else.”
Moonbin is the brother of Moon Sua, a fellow K-pop star and member of the group Billie, who has now canceled and postponed her upcoming shows. He became successful at a young age after joining Fantagio’s training program. He worked as a model and actor, making his debut in the hit KBS drama, Boys Over Flowers in 2009. He joined Astro as part of a six-member band in 2016.
Moon Bin was due to host an Asia fan con tour in May but the organizers have now announced that it has been canceled in light of his death.
The singer and actor joins a growing number of South Korean stars who have died young. Last week, 26-year-old actress Jung Chae-yull was found dead at her home but her cause of death is not publicly known.
In November 2018, 28-year-old Goo Hara, a member of girl group Kara, was found dead at home in what police called a suicide. The musician struggled with abuse from her ex-partner who blackmailed her with intimate videos after their relationship had ended. Her close friend and singer Sulli, 25, also took her own life after receiving waves of online abuse.
In 2018, Minwoo, a band member of 100%, died of a cardiac arrest aged 33, while SHINee lead singer Jonghyun also took his life in 2017 after battling depression. He died aged 27, leaving behind a note outlining the pressures of fame that consumed him.
Suicide is a leading cause of death for young people in South Korea, and the nation is among those with the highest suicide rates.
The star’s music label Fantagio said his funeral will be held “as quietly as possible.”