South Korean singer and actress Goo Hara has died. She was 28.
Goo, who rose to fame when she joined the girl group Kara in 2008, was found dead on Sunday. Police said an acquaintance found the Gwanju-born K-pop star lifeless at her home in southern Seoul and reported it to authorities. Police would not comment on a cause of death, but plan to hold a news briefing on Monday morning.
Six months before her death, Goo was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious at her home after posting the word “Goodbye” on her Instagram account. The post, which was later removed from the social media sites, prompted comments from concerned fans.
From the hospital, Goo released a statement apologizing to her supporters. “I am sorry for causing concerns and a commotion,” read the statement. “In terms of health, I am recovering … I 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.”
Though Goo — who left Kara in 2015 — managed to relaunch her solo career earlier this month with a new single and Japan tour, her personal life had not gotten better. In 2018, Goo and her boyfriend Choi Jong-bum broke up. Choi accused Goo of assaulting him, while Goo claimed that it was the other way around. Ultimately, Choi was convicted of assault as well as charges related to his threat to release a sex video of Goo.
Just this August, Choi received a suspended sentence, which Goo’s lawyers protested as too lenient. Regardless of the gravity of the sentence, the case made Goo the subject of tabloid fodder and malicious online messages.
PLEASE COPY AND REPLY THE HASHTAGS!
GOO HARA’S EX BOYFRIEND BLACKMAILED SAYING HE WOULD RELEASE ILLEGAL FOOTAGE THAT LITERALLY WOULD RUIN HER AND HER CAREER. SHE WAS BASHED BY NETIZENS. HE SHOULD NOT GET AWAY FOR THE PAIN HE CAUSED HER.#최종범_처벌#최종범_처벌#최종범_처벌 pic.twitter.com/K3vsRrOtYR
— #SUPERMARK ⭐️ | ✿ ????? ✿ (@nctczenniee) November 24, 2019
Since the news of Goo’s death broke, fans have taken to Twitter to share their hopes that Goo was at peace.
rest in peace, goo hara.
sending all my love and prayers to her family, friends and fans. i hope we can all fight through this difficult time and support one another unconditionally. ♡— chaeyoung loops (@loopschaeng) November 24, 2019
rest in peace goo hara, we will never forget you angel pic.twitter.com/CroZk29Sd6
— wendy pics (@archivedwendy) November 24, 2019
Goo’s death comes just a month after her close friend and fellow K-pop star Sulli died by suicide at the age of 25 after struggling with online bullying.
sulli and goo hara deserved so much better i hope they rest in peace #최종범_처벌 pic.twitter.com/8q2P7bg8Q0
— ashton (@shoujojin) November 24, 2019
They're not understood by this society.They're abused mentally/physically.They're alone.We couldn't do anything. Rest in peace Goo Hara. Now you can live in a better place with Sulli❤
Sincere condolences to her family,friends and fans!!!
2019 please stop already? pic.twitter.com/Tq7bZX5LXO— JAY♥? (@rai_natasa) November 24, 2019
K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun also died by suicide in 2017.