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Toxic online world of K-pop

Idols face intense pressure to perform well and are vulnerable to online attacks, but more are speaking up about depression

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The death from alleged suicide of K-pop star Sulli has sparked outrage against cyber bullying and calls for awareness of mental health issues.

But the K-pop industry has had this exact same conversation before, when Sulli's fellow SM Entertainment colleague Jonghyun, of boy band SHINee, killed himself nearly two years ago.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 17, 2019, with the headline Toxic online world of K-pop. Subscribe