Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Fans, celebrities reeling from Goo Ha-ra's death
Singer Goo Ha-ra was found dead, Sunday, at her residence in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul.
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Another sudden death of a K-pop singer has shocked the nation just a month after Sulli saddened Korean and overseas fans by committing suicide.
Fellow celebrities left tributes to Goo Ha-ra, who was found dead at her home in southern Seoul on Sunday, on social media.
Police are investigating the cause of her death but said they have found no signs of foul play.
Officers held a press conference at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency headquarters in downtown Seoul, Monday, to give a briefing on the ongoing investigation. “Based on the scene and testimony from her family, there are no signs of a crime involved in her death, at least as of now,” they said, adding a handwritten note had been found left on a living room table.
One of Goo's close friends, rapper DinDin, expressed his grief in a social media post. “When I started becoming famous, you worried about me and told me to call you whenever I had a hard time. You were always beautiful and shiny. But I'm really sorry that I have not done anything for you and could not help,” it read.
Actress Park Min-young sent a message with pictures featuring her and Goo taken in the 2011 SBS drama “City Hunter,” in which they co-starred. “It deeply saddens me that I can't be with you for your last moment. You will always be cute Ha-ra to me. Rest in peace,” she wrote.
Other fellow celebrities who knew the singer publicly mourned her sudden death through social media, including U.K. pop star Anne-Marie ― posting “RIP Goo Hara,” on Twitter.
Several media events have been canceled out of respect for the singer, including a press conference for the new KBS show “Jung Hae-in's Walking Report,” which was supposed to be held this morning. K-pop girl group AOA also dropped its scheduled media showcase for its new album “NEW MOON.”
Im Soo-yang, a close friend of Goo, also canceled her attendance at the Culture and Entertainment Awards, scheduled for today. The organization told news outlets that the event will be held as scheduled but Im will not attend. Goo and Im appeared together in the 2015 reality show “Shaolin Clenched Fists.”
The agency 8D Creative released a statement on behalf of Goo's Japanese agency Production Ogi, Monday, regarding her sudden death and the funeral arrangements. Goo had signed a contract with the Japanese agency in June to continue her musical career in Japan, and was not under any local agency.
“Goo's family and friends are in shock right now, so we ask the media and fans to refrain from visiting the memorial site, spreading rumors and releasing any misleading reports,” it said.
It also announced that the details of the funeral, including the service, will only be open to her family and close friends. “Goo's family wishes to hold a private funeral, so we have prepared a separate memorial for fans and the press.”
The public memorial will be held at St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, from 3 p.m. today to midnight Wednesday.
The singer debuted in 2008 as a member of K-pop girl group Kara. The group released numerous hit songs including “Pretty Girl” and “Honey,” and gained international fame especially in Asia.
In 2015, Goo debuted as a solo artist. She has also starred in a few TV dramas. Since she left Kara in 2016, she continued her career through such dramas and reality shows. Goo released her first Japanese solo album “Midnight Queen,” Nov. 13, and recently finished a supporting tour of Japan for the album.
How to get help: the Korea Suicide Prevention Center can be reached at 1393, LifeLine Korea at 1588-9191, and Help Call for Youth at 1388. Lines are available 24/7 for free and confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or distress.