The police statement reports that Sulli was suffering from “severe depression,” however, the official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
“Choi seemed to have lived alone in the house,” an official told Yonhap news agency. “It seems that she took her own life, but we are also looking into other possibilities.”
Sulli joined the extremely popular girl group f(x) in 2009 and has always been known the outspoken one of the group, speaking candidly about her support of other women and her struggles with depression and anxiety.
In 2014 Sulli took a break from the band, after she was the victim of cyberbullying. Eventually, she left the group entirely to focus on her budding acting career.
In a trailer for her reality TV show Jinri Store, Sulli opened up about her struggles:
“Social phobia, panic disorder....I’ve had panic disorder ever since I was young. There were times when some of my closest friends have left me,” she said. “People hurt me, so everything fell apart. I didn’t feel like I had anyone on my side or anyone who could understand me. So that’s why I completely fell apart.”
Sulli is not the first K-pop star who has recently passed away, with Jonghyun from SHINee taking his own life in December 2017.
Need help? Call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/get-help-home, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
If you would like to talk to someone about mental health, you can call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.
If you or someone have something to report, contact Crime Stoppers, call 1800 333 00.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
