K-Pop idol Seulong is involved in a fatal car accident
K-Pop idol Seulong is involved in a fatal car accident that has led to the death of a pedestrian and left the 2AM singer ‘in shock’
- Police and his agency confirmed the singer, 33, was driving in the rain in Seoul on Saturday night when he collided with a jaywalking pedestrian at a crossing
- Seulong tried to help before emergency services arrived, however the victim tragically died from his injuries on the way to hospital
- His agency Jellyfish Entertainment issued a statement saying the singer had been sent home after being questioned by police, and was ‘in shock’
- Police said in a statement that Seulong was ‘not under the influence’ whilst driving, but clarified that they are still investigating the incident
- Seulong made his name as a part of idol group 2AM, who he debuted with in 2008 under JYP Entertainment and was a part of until their hiatus in 2015
K-Pop idol Im Seulong has been involved in a fatal car accident that has resulted in the death of a jaywalking pedestrian, his agency and police confirmed on Tuesday.
The singer, 33, who is part of the group 2AM, was driving in the rain in Seoul on Saturday night when he collided with the pedestrian at a crossing.
He tried to help before emergency services arrived, however the victim tragically died from his injuries on the way to hospital.
Accident: K-Pop idol Seulong (pictured in 2014) has been involved in a fatal car accident that led to the death of a pedestrian on Saturday, it was revealed on Tuesday
Seulong’s agency Jellyfish Entertainment said in a statement, issued to Soompi: ‘First, may the victim of the fatal accident rest in peace, and we send our deepest condolences to his family.
‘On August 1, Im Seulong was driving his car when the accident in the rain occurred. While driving, he collided with a pedestrian crossing the road.
‘Right after the accident, Im Seulong immediately took emergency measures on site, but the victim unfortunately passed away while he was being taken to the hospital.
Incident: The singer, 33, who is part of the group 2AM, was driving in the rain in Seoul on Saturday night when he collided with the pedestrian at a crossing (pictured in 2013)
‘Im Seulong was questioned by the police according to protocol and was sent home afterwards, but he is in a state of shock.’
Clarifying that details of the case could not be given while the investigation is taking place, Seulong’s agency went on: ‘Please understand that we cannot reveal the details of the incident as the results of the police investigation have not been revealed yet.
‘However, we understand how much pain the victim’s family members must be in, and we would like to sincerely apologise to them.
‘Once again, may the victim rest in peace, and we send our deepest condolences to his family. We also extend our apologies to fans for causing concern. Thank you.’
‘In shock’: Seulong’s agency Jellyfish Entertainment said in a statement that he tried to help before emergency services arrived, however the victim died from his injuries at hospital
The police confirmed the incident earlier in the day, saying the singer was driving his car through Eunpyeong, in Seoul at 11:50PM KST, and said in a statement: ‘We are currently in the process of investigating the accident.
‘It is true that the person passed away after being hit by Im Seulong’s car while he was jaywalking.
‘However, we are still investigating the details of the situation and whether Im Seulong violated the Road Traffic Act.’
‘Im Seulong was not driving under the influence, but we are investigating other possibilities, such as speeding.
Singer: Seulong (R in 2012) made his name as a part of idol group 2AM, which also consists of members Jo Kwon (L), Lee Changmin (centre), and Jeong Jinwoon, before their hiatus in 2015
‘However, it is difficult for us to say anything at this time as the investigation is currently underway. We ask for your understanding that we cannot reveal details regarding the investigation.’
Seulong made his name as a part of idol group 2AM, who he debuted with in 2008 under JYP Entertainment after taking part in the competition show Hot Blood.
The ballad group also consists of members Jo Kwon, Lee Changmin, and Jeong Jinwoon, and they were one of two subgroups to come from eleven-member boy band One Day – with the second idol group being named 2PM.
2AM went on hiatus in 2015 after Seulong, Jinwoon and Changmin chose to not renew their contracts with JYP Entertainment, while Kwon parted ways with the agency in 2017, though they are all still officially a part of the group.
A year of tragedy and scandal for South Korea’s K-pop industry
MARCH 2019: Lee Seung-hyun, a member of K-pop band Big Bang who goes by the stage name Seungri, was charged with providing prostitutes to foreign investors at his private club.
JUNE 2019: Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG Entertainment, which managed Seungri and other K-pop artists, stepped down from his duties as chief producer, in the wake of drug and sex scandals.
OCTOBER 2019: Choi Jin-ri, a former member of girl group f(x) who went by the stage name Sulli, died in an apparent suicide. She had spoken out against cyber-bullying, after becoming the target of criticism when she spoke publicly about not wearing a bra in the conservative K-pop industry.
NOVEMBER 2019: K-pop singer Goo Hara was found dead in her home. Police found a handwritten note in which she expressed despair. She had been subjected to vicious attacks online about her relationships with men, local media said.
K-pop musician Jung Joon-young was sentenced to six years in prison for raping a woman and distributing a video showing the act. Choi Jong-hoon, 30, a former member of South Korean boy band FT Island, was sentenced to five years prison for the rape of the woman. Both men were members of online chat groups that shared secret sex videos and made jokes about drugging and raping women, the court said.
DECEMBER 2019: Lee Jae-ho, a 27-year-old South Korean actor who went by the stage name Cha In-ha, was found dead in his home. The cause of death was not immediately known. The singer-actor had left an Instagram post the day before he was found dead, telling his fans to take care in the cold winter.
Kang Daniel, solo singer and former member of the hit boy band Wanna One, decided to take a break as he was suffering from depression and panic attacks, his management agency Konnect Entertainment said, he made his comeback in March.
June 2020: K-Pop star Yohan passed away at the age of 28.The South Korean star, whose real name was Kim Jeong-hwan, died on Tuesday, June 16 but cause of death has not been released. Yohan was a member of the boy band TST (formerly known as Top Secret), who released their most recent single in January.
August 2020: Im Seulong, of the group 2AM, is involved in a fatal car accident that led to the death of a jaywalking pedestrian.
Seulong’s car accident is the latest tragedy to strike K-Pop, following a series of young stars’ deaths in 2019.
In June, K-Pop star Yohan, of the boy band TST (formerly known as Top Secret), passed away at the age of 28, the cause of death has not been released.
Singer and actor Cha In Ha, 27, was found dead in December – the third death to hit the industry in seven weeks following the loss of Goo Hara, 28, in November and Sulli, 25, a month earlier..
Hara had been subjected to vicious attacks online about her relationships with men, local media said.
Sulli meanwhile had spoken out against cyber-bullying, after becoming the target of criticism when she spoke publicly about not wearing a bra in the conservative K-pop industry.
She was close friends with Jonghyun, a singer from K-Pop group SHINee, who took his life in December 2017 at the age of 27.
In December K-pop star Kang Daniel suspended all future performances due to his struggles with depression and panic attacks in another incident to draw attention to the industry’s dark side, he made his comeback in March.
Alongside the tragic deaths, other big names in the industry have been hit by scandals.
In March 2019 Seungri, who real name is Lee Seung-hyun and is a member of K-pop band Big Bang, was charged with providing prostitutes to foreign investors at his private club.
Then in June of last year, Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG Entertainment, which managed Seungri and other K-pop artists, stepped down from his duties as chief producer, in the wake of drug and sex scandals.
In November musician Jung Joon-young was sentenced to six years in prison for raping a woman and distributing a video showing the act.
Choi Jong-hoon, 30, a former member of South Korean boy band FT Island, was sentenced to five years prison for the rape of the woman.
Both men were members of online chat groups that shared secret sex videos and made jokes about drugging and raping women, the court said.
A former K-pop idol opened up about the dark side of the multi-billion dollar industry in an interview with Australia’s Today show back in December.
Heo Minsun, professionally known by her stage name Way, was part of the South Korean girl group Crayon Pop from 2012 to 2017.
Speaking to the morning show, the 29-year-old said that she was cut off from friends and family and barely earned any money during her time in the chart-topping group.
‘I had to sacrifice a lot, like I couldn’t meet my family and friends, I didn’t earn money a lot,’ she said. ‘I wanted to escape from that life,’ she added.
Crayon Pop skyrocketed to fame in 2013 with the release of their third single, Bar Bar Bar.
The song’s music video went viral and turned Crayon Pop into overnight superstars.
At the height of their popularity, they opened up for Lady Gaga’s Artpop tour in North America and performed at the Sydney Opera House.
The group officially called it quits in 2017, and Way now works as a popular YouTuber.
Tragic: Seulong’s car accident is the latest tragedy to strike K-Pop, in June, K-Pop star Yohan, of the boy band TST (formerly known as Top Secret), passed away at the age of 28
Sad: Korean actor Cha In Ha died at the age of 27 in December last year
K-pop companies are notorious for being extremely strict, with young performers, known as idols, usually banned from dating or owning a mobile phone.
They also work long hours, spending hours each day performing or rehearsing, often on little sleep.
Many K-pop stars face tremendous pressure to look and behave perfectly in an industry powered by so-called ‘fandoms’ – groups of well-organised admirers who spend enormous amounts of time and money to help their favoured stars climb up the charts and attack their perceived rivals.
RIP: Cha’s death came just a week after K-pop singer Goo Hara, 28, (left) was also found dead at her apartment in Seoul following a suicide attempt six months previously (pictured in 2016). On October 14, K Pop star Sulli (right) was found dead at her home in Seongnam, Seoul,
In return, the stars are expected to tread carefully in an industry where today’s most-fervent fans can be tomorrow’s most vicious critics if their idols fail to meet their expectations – or ‘betray’ them.
Drug use or drunken driving are seen as career-breakers, while behaviour that causes a ‘stir’ – anything from a social media gaffe to a failure to smile ceaselessly at public appearances – could be criticised for years.
For confidential help and support please contact Samaritans on 116 123
K-pop star Kang Daniel suspended all future performances due to his struggles with depression and panic attacks in December, he made his comeback in March
‘I had to sacrifice a lot’: Way, from the South Korean girl group Crayon Pop, opened up about the dark side of the K-pop industry in an interview with the Today show in December
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