K-Pop Star, Moon Bin, Dies at the Age of 25
Fans around the world are grieving the loss of the K-pop star Moon Bin who, on April 19, 2023, was found dead in his home located in southern Seoul. Moon Bin was a member of the popular K-pop boy band, Astro, and a rising star. He was only 25 years old.
According to CNN, the authorities believe Moon Bin may have taken his own life. We all know that K-pop icons are placed under a significant amount of pressure from a very young age, with many beginning to train for years before they ever release their first song.
Moon Bin was no different. He began his career as a child model and actor, making appearances in music videos and TV shows throughout his childhood, and beginning his training to be a K-pop icon from a very young age.
South Korea is known to have an immensely competitive culture, with many youths facing immense pressure to find success. These pressures, along with many other factors, have led to an increased suicide rate among youths in South Korea.
The pressure to find success can be especially prevalent for young celebrities. Along with the normal pressures people their age face, young celebrities also face the pressure of being in the public eye, chasing success, and having a rigorous working schedule.
South Korea is not the only place facing the suicides of youth and young adults. The World Health Organization has found that mental disorders impact one in seven youths aged between 10 and 19 years old. Depression is estimated to impact 1.1% of youths between the ages of 10-14 years old and 2.8% of youths between 15 and 19 years old.
Worldwide, suicide has been found to be the fourth leading cause of death in adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 years old. Increasing access to mental health care, improving mental health education, and combatting the stigma surrounding mental health are a few of the many ways that we can work on lowering our youth’s risk of suicide.
Suicide, depression, and suicidal thoughts are devastating to the person impacted, as well as to their community, which we can feel through the death of the beloved Moon Bin. Learning to recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts can prove to be crucial for the health and safety of those experiencing or who have loved ones experiencing the mental illness.
Signs of depression one should look out for include:
Unwavering feelings of sadness, numbness, hopelessness, and pessimism
Increased irritability
Loss of interest in what usually brings joy (friends, social activities, and hobbies)
Experiencing guilt, worthlessness, and a lack of self-worth
Otherwise inexplicable aches and pains
Changes to eating and sleeping routines
Brain fog
Fatigue and exhaustion
Loss of motivation
Thoughts, ideas, talking about, or considering death and suicide
Receiving professional help is immensely important for those experiencing signs of depression, as the mental illness can quickly turn dangerous. If you or a loved one are experiencing any sort of mental health struggles, speaking to your doctor will be crucial to getting you the help you need.
References:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/asia/south-korea-kpop-moonbin-astro-death-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health