These Are 12 K-Pop Idols Who Passed Away Too Soon

Amid an industry known for its catchy tunes and energetic dance routines, the K-Pop world is much harsher than what meets the average eye. Albeit its stereotypical image depicting young stars having fun, at times even performing the so-called ‘bubblegum pop’, this downright ruthless industry — in addition to demanding fans and traditional cultural beliefs —has taken a toll on its idols from their very first debut. Even the biggest stars in South Korea have been progressively opening up when it comes to the unrealistic expectations placed upon them to achieve the unachievable, including BTS’ RM critics towards the lack of growth in the industry and IU’s openness about her deteriorating mental and physical health upon becoming a musician.

Nowadays, many idols opt to openly discuss their mental health struggles or even take the little creative freedom that they have to open up about the inherent underlining obstacles in K-Pop, however, many were not as lucky. Unfairly treated by fans, media, and their companies alike, K-Pop has earned itself the fame of becoming a burial ground for some of its youngest rising stars. Whether they may derive from suicide, common car crashes, or illness, K-Pop idols have become attached to their image as celebrities for eternity, after being housed by this relentlessly morbid industry. While a list much longer could have been made, here are some of the biggest idols in K-Pop who have left this earth far too soon.

Lee Jihan

Born in August 1998, Lee Jihan was an actor and rising K-Pop idol who tragically passed away in 2022, at the age of 24. Jihan was an actor under WIDMAY Entertainment, and in 2017, the singer participated in the second season of Produce 101, a reality series created by his label. Despite being a rookie in the world of K-Pop, the singer was already well-established in the world of Korean dramas, known for his role in the 2019 drama The Butterfly Dream.

The 24-year-old passed away in October 2022, as a victim of the fatal Seoul crowd crush that occurred on Halloween night. Upon having some COVID-19 restrictions lifted, a large mass of people celebrating the ending of the sanctions and the popular celebration filled the streets of Gangnam, which were otherwise unprepared for such a large surge of people, resulting in a stampede that ended the lives of over 150 people, including Jihan.

Yohan

Popularized for being a rookie member of the K-Pop group TST, Yohan was first introduced to the South Korean pop scene in 2013, under an entirely different group called Nom. This band achieved enormous success in the Philippines but remained relatively inactive since a few of the members transferred into a new boy group in 2017, thus forming TST.

On June 26, 2020, it was announced the popular singer had passed away at the age of 28. The family members and KJ Music Entertainment asked fans to avoid speculating regarding his passing, as the official statement did not cite a cause of death per the family’s request. Many fans have, naturally, weighed in on what may have been Yohan’s cause of death, including death by suicide or even as a result of a COVID-19-related illness. Nevertheless, Yohan left the world unexpectedly and mysteriously, leaving friends, family, and fans mourning the loss of the singer.