SEOUL — Kpop star Jonghyun from popular idol group SHINee has died in an apparent suicide, highlighting the pressures of super stardom in South Korea.<br /><br />The Korea Herald reports that the singer's sister had received foreboding 'farewell' messages from him on Monday afternoon and alerted emergency responders. They found the 27-year-old unconscious in his apartment and rushed him to the hospital, where he later died.<br /><br />Jonghyun had been in the public spotlight for almost a decade, and had been struggling with depression. In a long suicide note sent to a friend, he wrote that his doctor blamed him for his condition, citing his personality.<br /><br />The Korean entertainment industry is notorious for being high-pressure.<br /><br />Kpop idols sign on at a young age and are subjected to intense training. Agencies control every facet of their lives, from what they wear and eat, to who they communicate with.<br /><br />High standards are set for the stars' public behavior and appearance, but even so, they are often judged and nitpicked on social media.<br /><br />Jonghyun's suicide warns of the dark side of fame, and the ruthless conditions in the industry that desperately need to be changed.
