K-pop star Goo Hara, 28, found dead at Seoul home; police yet to determine cause of death

K-pop star Goo Hara was found dead at her home on Sunday, South Korean police confirmed. Goo, a former member of girl group Kara, was discovered at her home in Seoul early Sunday evening, officers said. The exact cause of death was still under investigation, they added. [caption id=“attachment_7696031” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Goo Hara. Image from Twitter @Soompi[/caption] South Korea has one of the world’s highest rates of suicide which, according to recent government figures, is among the top causes of death for those under 40. The 28-year-old’s death comes a month after Sulli — another K-pop star and Goo’s close friend — took her own life after a long struggle with online bullying. The singer had posted a tearful message on her Instagram shortly after Sulli’s death, grieving the passing of her friend. In messages posted on social media, fans mourned Goo’s death, with one writing: “I hope you have a good sleep in heaven without any worries.” After performing in Kara from 2008 to 2015, she focused on her solo career after the group broke up and had just completed a tour of Japan with her latest release. Goo’s death comes six months after she was hospitalised following an alleged suicide attempt, reports The Guardian. She had apologised to her fans following the incident. In 2018, Goo had filed a lawsuit against an ex boyfriend after he threatened to share an illicit video of her. Soompi writes that Goo’s agency has set up a special space for her fans to pay their tribute. “Fans and members of the press will be able to pay their respects to [Goo Hara] in Hall 1 at St. Mary’s Funeral Hall in the Gangnam District starting from 3 p.m. today to midnight on November 27,” announced the agency. (With inputs from Agence France-Presse)