K-pop death: Goo Hara’s friends, fans and celebrities pay tribute to singer in social media posts
- Goo’s sudden death came as a shock to many who knew and worked with the K-pop singer
- As well as social media messages and tributes, a number of media events have been called off out of respect
By Lee Gyu-lee
Another sudden death of a K-pop star has shocked South Korea, just a month after the death of singer Sulli devastated fans there and overseas.
Fellow celebrities and friends have been paying tribute on social media to Goo Hara, who was found dead at her home in southern Seoul on Sunday.
Police are investigating the cause of her death, but say they have found no signs of foul play. Officers held a press conference at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency headquarters in Seoul on 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 that a handwritten note had been found left on a living room table.
One of Goo’s close friends, rapper DinDin, expressed his sadness 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,” it read.
“But I’m really sorry that I have not done anything for you and could not help.”
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 Hara to me. Rest in peace,” she wrote.
Other fellow celebrities who knew the singer publicly mourned her sudden death through social media, including UK pop star Anne-Marie posting “RIP Goo Hara” on Twitter.
Several media events have been cancelled 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 on Monday morning. K-pop girl group AOA also dropped their scheduled media showcase for their new mini album New Moon.
Actress Im Soo-hyang, a close friend of Goo, also cancelled her appearance at the Culture and Entertainment Awards, which went ahead as scheduled on Monday. 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, on 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 rumours and releasing any misleading reports,” it said.
It also announced that the funeral, including the service, would 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 is being held at St Mary’s Hospital in Seocho district, Seoul, from 3pm on Monday to midnight on Wednesday.
Goo made her debut 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, also appearing in TV dramas and reality shows. Goo released her first Japanese solo album, Midnight Queen, on November 13, and recently finished a tour of Japan.
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