A shocking tragedy recently unfolded in South Korea when a well-known Japanese fan of the K-pop group ENHYPEN died by suicide during a TikTok livestream. The news sent shockwaves through the Korean online community, with many fans flocking to social media to express their condolences. Following the incident, the deceased's family and friends confirmed the tragic news and urged the public to stop speculating, asking for peace for the departed.
According to Yonhap News Agency, police received a report around 5:33 AM on August 5 from a friend of the deceased, who stated that the individual was attempting suicide during a TikTok livestream and urgently sought police assistance.
The incident reportedly occurred in a commercial-residential building in Hangang-ro-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. The woman was live-streaming on TikTok, and the entire incident was allegedly captured on camera until the broadcast abruptly ended.
After the event, many viewers of the livestream immediately took to X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms to post urgent pleas for help, hoping police could arrive quickly to intervene. However, their efforts ultimately could not prevent the tragedy.
The deceased was identified as a Japanese fan residing in Seoul's Yongsan District, with over 80,000 followers on TikTok. One of her videos featuring ENHYPEN member NI-KI (니키) had garnered over 1.5 million views, making her highly recognizable within the fandom.
Following the news, Minhee, a model and cheerleader reportedly close to the deceased, issued a statement via Instagram Stories in multiple languages, including Korean, English, and Japanese. She confirmed she had learned of the tragic news and stated she would not be sharing any further updates about the deceased on that account.
In her statement, she wrote: “I know many people are coming to this account out of worry and concern. My beloved older sister (the original Korean text was '언니') – who was always gentle and kind to everyone she met – has passed away. I only learned this heartbreaking news early this morning, and beyond this, I don't know more about the situation.”
She also added: “Even if I learn more information later, I do not intend to share any news or updates about my sister through this account. I earnestly ask everyone to pray for her, and please refrain from any further speculation or inquiries.”
Notably, while the Korean term “언니” (eonni) used in the statement can be directly translated as “older sister,” it is also commonly used in Korean to address an older, close female friend. Therefore, it is currently unclear whether Minhee and the deceased were biological sisters or simply referred to each other affectionately.
The police investigation into the case is ongoing. The family has also urged the public to respect the privacy of the deceased and her loved ones, and to refrain from spreading unverified information, allowing the departed to rest in peace.
Life is precious. Please cherish life and give yourself another chance. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to trusted friends or family and seek professional help.
※Lifeline: 1925 (I still love me)
※Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1995
※Teacher Chang Hotline: 1980
