CNA reports that Kpop star Goo Hara has died at the age of 28.
Goo was found dead at her home in Cheongdam, Seoul on Sunday by an acquaintance. The cause of death is being investigated by police, who are “keeping the possibility of suicide in consideration”.
The former Kara member had made a comeback after six months after an attempted suicide and had just returned from a Japan tour.
In May, Goo wrote “goodbye” on her Instagram and attempted to take her own life. Police in the Gangnam area found her unresponsive in her apartment and took her to hospital.
“I am sorry for causing concerns and a commotion,” Goo said in the days after her attempted suicide,” had been in agony over a number of overlapping issues. But from now on, I will steel my heart and try to show up healthy.”
The Korean singer was also in the public eye after suffering abuse from an ex-boyfriend last year who blackmailed her with their sex videos.
Hairdresser Choi Jong-bum had threatened “to end her entertainment career” by leaking their sex videos and a CCTV clip of Goo on her knees begging him not to do it.
Choi was given a suspended jail term but Goo suffered from online abuse following the incident. Her Instagram was reportedly “flooded with hate comments about her appearance and her history with her ex.”
A petition on the website of the South’s presidential office has started since Goo’s death, calling for stronger punishments for cyber crimes. Over 20,000 people have signed it since.
“It was not long ago that we lost someone through hate comments and this cannot happen again,” the petition said. “Please protect the people from hate comments and criticisms that are spreading like a virus.”
Goo’s final Instagram post was published two days ago and simply read, “goodbye” in Korean.
In other Kpop news, Australian actress Rebel Wilson has written a Kpop comedy film about Korean Americans titled Seoul Girls.
