The K-pop world was shocked and saddened by the news of Moonbin’s death on April 19, 2023. The 25-year-old singer and actor, who was a member of the boy band Astro and its sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha, was found unresponsive in his apartment in Gangnam, Seoul, by his manager. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics.
The cause of his death has been a subject of speculation and controversy ever since. Some reports claimed that he died by suicide, while others suggested that he suffered a stroke due to high blood pressure and heart problems. What is the truth behind Moonbin’s tragic demise? Here is what we know so far.
Suicide or Stroke?
According to the initial reports by South Korean media outlets, Moonbin took his own life and left a note behind. The Gangnam police, who were in charge of the investigation, said that they found no signs of foul play or external injuries on his body. They also said that they were discussing the possibility of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death according to Time.
However, some fans and online commenters disputed this version of events and claimed that Moonbin died of a stroke. They cited a tweet by a user named @torky_mero, who said that Moonbin’s family had released a statement confirming that he had high blood pressure and heart problems, which resulted in him having a sudden stroke and losing his life according to Sportskeeda.
The tweet also said that all other rumors were not true and asked people to stop circulating them out of respect for his family’s feelings. However, there was no official source or evidence to back up this claim. The tweet has since been deleted.
Fantagio’s Statement
Moonbin’s agency, Fantagio, confirmed his death on April 20, 2023, through a statement posted on Twitter. The statement read:
“Hello, this is Fantagio.
We are here to deliver sad news about our artist Moon Bin.
On April 19 at 8:10 p.m., Moon Bin suddenly left us and became a star in the sky.
ASTRO members, fellow Fantagio artists, company executives, and employees are mourning the deceased in great sadness and shock.
We ask for your warm consolation and encouragement so that the deceased can rest in peace.
We also ask for your consideration so that the family of the deceased can grieve in peace.
We will inform you of the funeral details as soon as they are decided.
We express our deepest condolences to the deceased.”
The statement did not mention the cause of death or any details about his funeral. It also did not address the rumors or speculations that were circulating online.
Moonbin’s Legacy
Moonbin was born on January 26, 1998, in Cheongju, North Chungbuk Province. He started his career as a child model and actor, appearing in music videos and TV shows from 2004 to 2016. He joined Fantagio’s training program at a young age and met his Astro bandmates when they starred together in the web drama To Be Continued.
He debuted as a member of Astro in February 2016 with their first album Spring Up. The group quickly gained popularity in South Korea and Japan with their bright and upbeat songs and performances. They also won several awards and accolades, including being named one of the top-10 new K-pop groups by Billboard magazine in 2016.
Moonbin was known for his versatile talents as a singer, dancer, rapper, and actor. He was also praised for his charismatic stage presence and charming personality. He was loved by his fans for his caring and thoughtful nature towards them and his fellow members.
In 2020, he formed Astro’s first sub-unit with Sanha, called Moonbin & Sanha. They released their debut album In-Out with the title track Bad Idea. The duo showcased their mature and sophisticated sides with their music and concept.
Moonbin was also active as an actor, starring in various dramas and movies such as Moment at Eighteen, Mermaid Prince, Live On, True Beauty, and The Witch: Part 2.
Moonbin is survived by his parents and his sister Moon Sua, who is also a K-pop star and a member of the girl group Billie. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Moonbin will be remembered as one of the most talented and beloved stars in the K-pop industry. His fans and colleagues have expressed their grief and condolences on social media with hashtags such as #RIPMoonbin, #WeLoveYouMoonbin, #YouAreOurStarMoonbin, and #ThankYouMoonbin.
He will be dearly missed by many. May he rest in peace.
