By Low Win Li
Last Monday, Korean pop star Sulli (Choi Jin-ri) was found dead at her home in Sujeonggu, Seongnam. She was 25 years old. A police official stated that Sulli had been suffering from severe depression, although no details have been confirmed by Sulli’s family or her agency (SM Entertainment). Her cause of death is still under investigation, but the police have been working on the assumption that she had died by suicide.[1] However, no sign of foul play or suicide note was found at the scene.[2] In their preliminary autopsy report, the Seongnam Sujeong Police Station have stated that there were no suspicions or homicide or external forces or pressure contributing to the star’s passing.[3]
The news of stars in the industry taking their own life or struggling with their mental health has not been a one-off occurrence. Sulli’s passing follows the suicide of SHINee member Kim Jong-hyun (also from SM Entertainment) back in December 2017. In fact, South Korea has one of the world’s highest rates of suicide which, according to recent government figures, is among the top causes of death for those under 40.
There were many speculations of why Sulli had taken her own life, ranging from her struggle with her mental health, to the cyberbullying she was facing.
During an interview with the Busan Report, an entertainment insider revealed that Sulli was having a hard time dealing with the barrage of hateful comments targeted at her. She had apparently informed her agency many times about the matter. Unfortunately, her plea for the company to take a proper course of action was met with passive responses. The company had made threats to users with IP addresses within Korea, but “were unable” to take action against users with IP addresses registered in a foreign country. Would things have turned out more differently if the agency was more prompt in caring for their artiste’s mental well-being?[4]
And why was Sulli being targeted specifically?
What really made her stand out was her outspokenness and drive for women’s rights. While her professional work focused on movies and being a part of girlgroup f(x), the star became more known for her social media presence and modern viewpoints. The K-pop industry is also known for the pressure it puts on its idols to maintain a wholesome image. Sulli, going against the norm, spoke openly about topics including her position on social issues, her struggles, mental health, and even her romantic relationships – which is shocking as a “dating ban” in the K-pop industry is not uncommon. As a result, she was openly attacked by online trolls, many of whom deemed her actions “controversial”, from her attire down to what she shared about.[5]
Sulli shared about her mental health struggles, saying she suffered from panic disorder and social phobia.[6] She talked about how she has been feeling very empty in her life, and she feels that she’s lying to everyone by pretending to be happy on the outside.[7] She revealed on the show “Night of Hate Comments”: “the real human Choi Jinri’s heart is dark, but as celebrity Sulli, I have to pretend I’m bright often.”[8] In doing so, Sulli was moving against the stigma of seeking professional medical help and talking about one’s mental health. This is a problem all over the world, but it is particularly worrying in Korea, which had the highest rate of suicide of nations in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development as of 2016.
While her absence is undeniably felt, our hope is that her living life so outspokenly and confidently is able to inspire a change to the traditional, rigid standards that these celebrities seemingly must adhere to.
The Aftermath
Aside from many emotional tributes made to the late star, there are also a sub-group of K-pop “fans” who are trying to figure out “Who’s next?”. Basically, who will be the next to commit suicide after Sulli.[9] It was shocking how the hate that was directed to Sulli, was then redirected to other stars. Girl’s Day star Minah received horrific abuse in the comments section after she addressed Sulli’s passing, a user asking her if she wanted to go next.[10]
The bullies also turned on another star ― Sulli’s former boyfriend Choiza. The Instagram of the rapper from hip-hop unit Dynamic Duo attracted hundreds of hate comments.[11] In addition, a large mass of Chinese netizens zeroed in on Sulli’s former bandmate Victoria Song, criticising her for not posting anything addressing Sulli’s death. While in reality, Victoria had actually immediately halted the filming of a show she was scheduled for and immediately made plans to fly back in time for Sulli’s funeral.[12] Sulli’s passing also sheds further light on the toxic culture of online commenters that still exists, which plagues our favourite stars more than anyone may realize.[13]
Conclusion
Stars not just in the K-pop industry, but anyone who has influence in the media, are often ‘called out’ or ‘cancelled’ without room for explanation or defence. In Asian agencies, it’s even more challenging because celebrities and idols have no way to defend themselves unless their agencies allow them to speak up. [14]
What can we as the public do in response to Sulli’s passing? Before hitting that ‘post’ button to add to the noise when a star gets caught up in a controversy, let us be mindful of the source of the news as well as the star’s response to the issue before jumping on the bandwagon. Even if we may be disappointed in the action of someone, we don’t have to go on the offence and wish their death on them. Although they may be celebrities, they are also people who are trying their best every single day. This kindness and discernment may be too late for some of our idols who have passed on, but we can still do it for our idols now and in the future.
Update
In an official petition posted to the Presidential Office’s website, a citizen has requested for a new “Choi Jinri Law” in Sulli’s honor. The petition proposes ID verification requirements for online comments as well as punishments for those in the media who invade celebrities’ privacy or publish malicious rumors. Supporters are hoping these conversations will lead to concrete, systemic action toward providing broader access to mental-health care, as well to tackle the toxicity that is often met online.[15]
According to reports on October 16, approximately 9 members of South Korea’s National Assembly have agreed to forward a bill seeking the installation of a new bill against malicious comments. Nicknamed the ‘Sulli Law’, this new bill aims to enforce strict rules against malicious comments under anonymous titles. A subcommittee will gather to review details and clauses within the ‘Sulli Law’ some time in early December.[16]
[1] Jack Guy and Sophie Jeong, ‘Sulli, 25-year-old K-pop star, found dead at home in Seongnam, South Korea’ (CNN Entertainment, 15 October 2019) <https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/14/entertainment/k-pop-star-death-scli-intl/index.html>
[2] Agency, ‘Dead K-pop star Sulli was target of cyber bullies’ (star2, 14 October 2019) <https://www.star2.com/entertainment/2019/10/14/sulli-target-cyber-bullies/>
[3] Aref Omar, ‘#Showbiz: Police confirm Sulli’s death not homicide, stern action against cyber-bullying’ (New Straits Times, 16 October 2019) <https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2019/10/530492/showbiz-police-confirm-sullis-death-not-homicide-stern-action>
[4] Aref Omar, ‘#Showbiz: Depressed Sulli wanted to leave ‘Reply Night’, SM slow to protect idol from malicious comments?’ (New Straits Times, 17 October 2019) <https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2019/10/530773/showbiz-depressed-sulli-wanted-leave-reply-night-sm-slow-protect>
[5] Yvette Tan and Wonsang Kim, ‘Sulli: The woman who rebelled against the K-pop world’ (BBC News, 18 October 2019) <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50051575>
[6] Korea Times, ‘K-pop star Sulli reveals her struggles with panic disorder: ‘Nobody understood me, which made me fall apart’’ (South China Morning Post, 18 October 2018) <https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2169149/k-pop-star-sulli-reveals-her-struggles-panic-disorder>
[7] Koreaboo, ‘Sulli Confesses Her Life Is “Empty” And She’s Only Pretending To Be Happy On The Outside’ (Koreaboo, 4 October 2019) <https://www.koreaboo.com/news/sulli-life-empty-pretending-happy-outside/>
[8] https://m.news.naver.com/read.nhn?mode=LSD&sid1=103&oid=082&aid=0000949272
[9] Nyi Nyi Thet, ‘Some toxic K-pop fans are trying to decide ‘Who’s next?’ after Sulli’s death’ (Mothership, 17 October 2019) <https://mothership.sg/2019/10/sulli-suicide-next/>
[10] Emma Kelly, ‘Girl’s Day star Minah exposes troll who asked if she ‘wanted to go next’ after Sulli’s death’ (Metro UK, 15 October 2019) <https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/15/girls-day-star-minah-exposes-troll-asked-wanted-go-next-sullis-death-10920012/>
[11] Ko Dong-hwan, ‘Cyberbullies turn their hate on dead star’s ex-boyfriend’ (The Korea Times, 15 October 2019) <http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2019/10/732_277133.html>
[12] ‘Victoria Song Verbally Attacked by C-Netz for not Posting about Sulli’s Death’ (15 October 2019) <https://38jiejie.com/2019/10/15/victoria-song-verbally-attacked-by-c-netz-for-not-posting-about-sullis-death/>
[13] Jeff Benjamin, ‘Sulli Was an Outspoken K-Pop Star in an Industry That Would’ve Preferred She Stayed Quiet’ (Billboard, 14 October 2019) <https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8532906/sulli-legacy-memorial-outspoken-kpop-star?fbclid=IwAR3HDvMPZhvWrJAxB5jd7pJVGUPE4llR3EvxAc_MYkimmTL3M1UiHxIOqNI>
[14] AA, ‘How To Be Mindful Fans To Our Idols’ (Clozette, 15 October 2019) <https://www.clozette.co/article/kpop-fans-mental-health-5945>
[15] Jenna Gibson ‘Sudden Death Of A Young K-Pop Star Spurs Talk Of Action On Mental Health, Bullying’ (NPR, 16 October 2019) <https://www.npr.org/2019/10/16/770614282/sudden-death-of-a-young-k-pop-star-spurs-talk-of-action-on-mental-health-bullyin?utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews&utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=twitter.com>
[16] allkpop, ‘National Assembly to open subcommittee and review new law against malicious comments, the ‘Sulli Law’’ (allkpop, 16 October 2019) <https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/national-assembly-to-open-subcommittee-and-review-new-law-against-malicious-comments-the-sulli-law>
