K-pop star who spoke out against cyber-bullying found dead

The South Korean pop star and actress Sulli, who had spoken out against cyber-bullying, was found dead at her home south of Seoul on Monday, announced local police.

The South Korean pop star Sulli. [Photo: VCG]

According to her manager, the 25-year-old had long grappled with severe depression and constant online bullying directed against her in response to her outspoken feminist voice.

After phone calls went unanswered for several hours, her manager went to her home in Seonanam and found her body, said Kim Seong-tae, an official from the Seongnam Sujeong Police Department.

The investigation into the cause of her death is ongoing. The preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play, and police did not find a suicide note. Footage from the security camera at Sulli's home showed no signs of an intrusion, said officer Kim.

The South Korean pop star was well liked in China. The news on her death soon topped the list of trending topics on Weibo, one of China's most influential social media platforms. Tens of thousands of netizens posted comments about her death, with many of them sharing their condolences for the young pop idol and calling on people to respect her individuality and end cyber-bullying.

The South Korean pop star Sulli. [Photo: AP]

Many of her fans in South Korea have paid tribute to the outspoken star by gaming South Korea's popular search engines so the leading results are "Sulli, We love you" or her nickname "Peach Sulli". This has pushed down the previous top search results that included controversial remarks about the performer.

Sulli's legal name is Choi Jin-ri. She began her singing career in 2009 as a member of the girl band "f(x)". She also acted in numerous television dramas and movies. She was known for her feminist voice and an outspokenness that was rare among female entertainers in deeply conservative South Korea. In a recent TV appearance, she spoke out against the online backlash she has received about her lifestyle.

(Story includes material sourced from AP.)