Astro member Moonbin, 25, found dead in his residence

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Astro member Moonbin, 25, found dead in his residence

Published: 20 Apr. 2023, 03:08 Updated: 20 Apr. 2023, 14:53

Moonbin of boy band Astro at a showcase on Jan. 4, 2023 [NEWS1]

Astro member Moonbin, 25, was found dead at his residence in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday at around 8:10 p.m.

According to the police, the boy band’s manager first alerted the police after discovering his body. The manager told the police he went to Moonbin’s house as he was unable to reach him. The police said the singer appears to have died in an apparent suicide, although investigations are ongoing.

"Astro's Moonbin has suddenly left our sides and became a star in the sky," his agency Fantagio said on Thursday.

"All members of Astro, the fellow artists and staff at Astro are struck by grief and are deeply mourning his loss […] It is all the more saddening because we all knew how much the late star loved and cherished his fans."

Moonbin debuted as a member of Astro in 2016. In 2020, he became a member of Astro’s first subunit, Moonbin & Sanha and has been working actively as a duo. Early this year, Moonbin & Sanha released its third EP “Incense” and kicked off its first world tour “Diffusion,” with a Seoul concert on March 18 and 19.

The duo performed in Manila on March 25 and in Bangkok on April 8. They were to perform in Japan next month. He was also to feature in the upcoming “Dream Concert,” scheduled to take place at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on May 27.

During the concert in Bangkok, it was reported that Moonbin had told his fans that he had been “feeling unwell, but feeling a bit better now,” and that he was making efforts to “feel better.”

Moonbin’s funeral parlor has been set up at Asan Medical Center in Seoul.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191. The Seoul Foreign Resident Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2229-4900 to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]