K-pop star Sulli, formerly of the group f(x), died Monday in an apparent suicide. She was 25.
The singer and actress, whose real name was Choi Jin-ri, was found unconscious in her home by her manager.
Sulli left f(x) in 2015 and released a solo single this past summer.
She was a controversial figure in South Korea for going public with her relationships, declaring herself pro-choice and opening up about her mental health.
CedarBough Saeji, an expert in Korean culture at the University of British Columbia, told CNN that Sulli was brave.
“The fact that Sulli repeatedly did things that misogynists didn't like, and refused to apologize, is how she really stood out,” she said. “That society would criticize her so heavily just for showing individuality in a way that did not conform exactly to Korean social norms, that's just so incredibly sad.”
According to news agency AFP, suicide is among the top causes of death for those under 40 in South Korea.
K-pop star Jonghyun took his life in December 2017 and singer Goo Hara was found unconscious in her home this past May after posting “Goodbye” on Instagram. Hara is one of those now paying tribute to Sulli. "I hope Jin-ri is now in a place where she can do whatever she wants," she wrote on Instagram.
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