Best-known by her stage name Sulli, Choi Jin-ri, a popular South Korean pop star, was found dead at her home on Monday, according to police. Her manager discovered her body at her home in Seongnam-si. She was 25.
Born on March 29, 1994, in Busan, Sulli was a famous South Korean singer, songwriter, actress, and model. She was a former member of South Korean girl group “f(x)” and had often been the target of abusive online comments.
In a statement, South Korean Police said that she was suffering from “severe depression” but the exact cause of her death is still under investigation.
She was quite outspoken about women’s rights, which is why she had been a victim of abusive online comments and harassment.
In 2009, she debuted for f(x) – the top K-pop girl group – that become famous worldwide. However, in 2014, she suspended her career and left the group after struggling with cyber-bullying. She later started focusing on her acting projects.
Sulli had been seen crying and saying, “I’m not a bad person” in some of her Instagram videos, according to the Guardian.
She was quite active on social media and even hosted a TV series in which celebrities shared their experiences with abusive online comments, cyber-bullying, and harassment.
Sulli was known for her “feminist voice and outspokenness that was rare among female entertainers in deeply conservative South Korea,” according to the Associated Press.”
Her sudden death has sent shockwaves across the South Korean pop fan community.
One of her fans commented on her Instagram account, “I always adored and respected you for your boldness. All I can say is rest in peace.” Another fan commented, “In heaven, you don’t have to act strong or pretend everything is okay. I hope you will only think about yourself there.”
