On October 14, 2019, the Korean entertainment circle once again ushered in a black day - Shirley, a Korean singer and actor known as the 'honey peach in the world', who made her debut in a sweet and simple image, was found dead at home. She was only 25 years old and was in full bloom.
As soon as the news came out, the microblog was paralyzed for a time, and related topics occupied the top of the hot search list on the Chinese and Korean networks. Many fans and friends in the circle feel sad and incredible. Behind the bad news, why did Shirley die? Why is the Korean entertainment industry frequently shrouded in the cloud of 'suicide'?
[there is no 'honey peach' in the world]
'what words should I use to describe you? Perhaps any word in the world is not enough. "
--Honey peach by Li Zhien
In 2012, Shirley's friend and Korean singer Li Zhien (IU) released the song "honey peach" inspired by her. The lyrics say, 'you open your lips and smile, I'm going crazy, how can I be so beautiful', 'whenever I see you, my heart is like an electric shock'.
However, this sweet peach like girl left the world forever on October 14, 2019.
Shirley's agent hasn't been able to get in touch since she talked to her at about 6:30 p.m. on the 13th. When I went to her residence the next day, I found that she was dead.
The police did not find any signs of invasion in Shirley's home, and preliminarily judged that Shirley committed suicide. At present, the suicide note she left has not been found. Only a handwritten memo describing her usual mood was found at the scene, but the police did not disclose the content of the memo.
SM Entertainment, the agency of Shirley, said, "I'm sorry to tell you this sad news. Shirley left us. I would like to express my deepest condolences."
This girl, who officially started her career as a member of the women's group F (x) at the age of 15, has been on the road for ten years. Her death once again aroused everyone's attention to her, and also made everyone forget the bad comments on her in the past and recall her original beautiful appearance.
Why did she choose to say goodbye
'when the avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.'
--Voltaire's quotations
A month ago, Shirley posted a photo of a handwritten letter on a social media website.
She wrote gratefully, "every moment I live with the help of some people, because I trust their blessings, smile and get courage, which makes me feel that life is not spent by only one person. Many people have been around me and created a lot of precious time together. I want to be a person who brings you warmth and say thank you to you, Even if you hate or like it in the future, please everyone. " She still laughed at her handwriting at the end.
However, I didn't expect that the bad news came in the end.
Shirley's agent informed the police that she was suffering from severe depression.
Before her death, Shirley had been controversial because of her personal emotional problems and lifestyle, and netizens never stopped commenting on her.
Earlier in her interview, she responded to the Internet dispute, 'why should I be scolded because I am a very kind and lovely friend. I feel that many people only wear colored glasses for me and know me better. Please love me, audience friends, and journalists.'
If Shirley's suicide due to depression is confirmed, a large part of the cause of her depression is probably related to internet violence.
Under the microblog related to Shirley's death, many netizens suggested that online violence should be reduced, 'the whole picture is unknown, no comment'.
South Korean netizens petitioned on the qingwatai website about Shirley's death, asked to punish people who 'left bad comments and carried out online violence leading to Shirley's death', and urged the implementation of the online real name system.
However, in recent years, there have been frequent suicide incidents of artists in South Korea. The reason behind this is far more than the pressure of cyber violence.
[symptoms in 'hunger game']
'even if I'm tired, no one listens to me. It seems that I'm alone in the world.'
--Shirley
In the past 10 years up to 2017, more than 30 relevant people in the performing arts industry in South Korea have ended their lives by suicide.
According to South Korea's central daily, actor Park Zhenxi pointed out in his master's thesis on actors' stress, depression and suicidal thoughts published in 2009 that 38.9% of actors are troubled by depression and 40% want to commit suicide. At that time, park Zhenxi proposed that the over exposure of private life, malicious messages, unstable income and uneasiness about the future were all the reasons for these problems.
Behind the brilliance is the unknown sadness and dedication.
Many foreign media have pointed out that South Korea's entertainment industry is under great pressure. It has created a working environment similar to 'hunger game'. Korean idol groups have been selected as trainees since their youth and live under the strict management of the performance planning company, so they will work harder. They not only have a tight schedule, but also are bound by strict norms of action.
In fact, there are not a few idol group stars who bear great pressure on their back and reveal signs of depression.
In a previous interview, Quan Zhilong, a member of Korean group BigBang, said, 'when you return to the hotel after showing a wonderful performance in front of people, one will feel particularly empty'. T.O.P, also a member of BigBang, also tried to commit suicide due to overdose of drugs for depression and insomnia. Cao E, a member of the AOA of the Korean women's League, announced her withdrawal because of insomnia and depression.
Bai Zhongyou, a professor in the Department of mental health medicine of Qingxi University, said: 'it is necessary for idol groups to receive regular psychological counseling like foreign athletes, or pay attention to their mental state at the level of brokerage companies, arrange relevant counseling systems and solve problems systematically'.
[to her beauty]
'I want to be a person who brings warmth to everyone.'
--Shirley
For Shirley's departure, many Korean artists sent messages on social networking sites to express their condolences.
Singer juhora took a group photo with Shirley and expressed her thoughts. Ann Jae Hyun, who starred in the film fashion king with Shirley, also couldn't hide his grief. He wrote that 'this must not be true'.
Actor Shen Xianjun wrote that 'another precious life has left us', and he also denounced netizens who left malicious messages to Shirley.
Shirley's family are in great grief. They want the funeral to be held in private.
'I've been so busy looking ahead that I've almost forgotten how long I've been on the road. However, because you people who have never forgotten come to bless me first, my past life and my future plans also sincerely cheer for me. I feel very grateful for letting me put down many worries and giving me time to look back on the past. " Shirley once said so.
Now, she finally put everything down and went to a place where she could be herself.