Goo Hara, K-pop star of Kara fame, found dead

The South Korean singer and actress Goo Hara was found dead on Sunday, Gangnam District Police in Seoul told CNN.

Police would not comment on a cause of death.

The singer, once part of the South Korean girl band Kara, was found unconscious in her Seoul home in May, after she had posted the word "Goodbye" on her Instagram account. The post, which was later deleted, prompted comments from concerned fans.

On that occasion, Goo was found and taken to the hospital. She later apologized to fans for "causing concern to everyone and causing a commotion," a media outlet in Japan reported.

The episode reignited the debate over the intense pressure of K-pop stardom, which critics say is fueled by harsh online criticism leveled at the industry's performers.

A similar discussion broke out just last month after the 25-year-old singer Sulli was found dead at her home in Seoul in what police said was an apparent suicide.

Another K-pop star, Kim Jong-hyun, died by suicide in 2017.

Tributes pour in

In an Instagram post remembering Goo, fellow singer Kahi, who led the girl group After School before going solo, said that stars needed more protection from the pressures of fame.

"Another sun sets today," she said. "Don't forget that someone is always praying for you, RIP."

Popular Korean rapper Dindin said Goo had been "worried" about him during his rise, and told him to reach out if he was in trouble.

"But I haven't done anything for you and I haven't been a help ... I'm very sorry," he wrote on Instagram. "I'm so angry and hate this world. I wish you happiness where you are."

News Courtesy: www.cnn.com