K-pop Star and Actor Sulli Dies At 25

UPDATE (6 p.m. IST): 

SM Entertainment have released an official statement regarding Sulli’s passing:

“This is SM Entertainment.

We apologize for conveying such sad and unfortunate news.

Sulli has left our side.

We cannot believe the situation now and we are just filled with grief.

For her family who is grieving after the sudden news of her passing, we earnestly request that you refrain from writing speculative articles or spreading rumors. We express our deep condolences.”

Police have ruled Sulli’s death as a suicide, but will continue further investigations.

South Korean singer and actor Sulli was reportedly found dead earlier today in Seongnam, Seoul. According to the police, her body was found by her manager at around 3:21 p.m. KST. The cause of death is not yet clear, but reports are labeling it a possible suicide. Her label SM Entertainment has yet to make a statement.

Sulli, whose real name was Choi Jinri, first rose to fame in 2005 as a child actress via the Korean period drama Ballad of Seodong. She then debuted in the K-pop world as a member of popular girl group f(x) in 2009, before leaving the group in 2015 to pursue an acting career. Some of her successful projects include the 2012 drama series To the Beautiful You and films like The Pirates, Fashion King (both 2014) and Real (2017.)

She made a comeback to music in 2018, first with the single “Dayfly” in collaboration with R&B artist Dean and then with her solo debut single “Goblin” in 2019. More recently she was the host of the JTBC variety show Night of Hate Comments.

This is a developing story.