‘Boys over flowers’ actor Moonbin dies at 25

Moonbin, a South Korean actor and member of the K-pop boy band Astro, has passed away at the age of 25.

His music label Fantagio announced in a statement on Thursday.

“Members of Astro and fellow artists and staff at Fantagio are deeply saddened and shocked as we mourn him,” the label said in a statement.

Local media reported that the singer was found dead at his home in the Gangnam district of Seoul and that suicide was suspected. Reports have it that he was found by his manager after he failed to attend rehearsals.

Yonhap News shared a statement released by the Seoul Gangnam Police who are investigating the death: “It appears that [he] took his own life. We are currently discussing the possibility of an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.”

Following the news about the death of Moonbin, “all idols” trended on Twitter in South Korea.

“I hope all idols can chase their dreams without feeling heartbroken,” read one tweet.

Moonbin’s death also became the most searched topic on China’s Twitter-like social media platform Weibo on Thursday morning, with many saying the news reminded them of the deaths of other young South Korean popstars in the past.

The deceased was a child actor before making his debut as a member of Astro in 2016. In 2009, he had his first acting role in the Korean drama Boys over Flowers where he played the younger version of Kim Bum’s character.

Before his sudden demise, Moonbin was set to appear at a concert in the southern city of Busan next month as part of the sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha.

Reuters