The former lead singer of the South Korean boy band SHINee has died aged 27 after taking his own life.
Kim Jong-hyun, known by the stage name Jonghyun, was found unconscious by police in a rented apartment in Cheongdam-dong in the South Korean capital Seoul after his sister raised concerns for his welfare.
Kim was rushed to Konkuk University Hospital in a state of cardiac arrest and received emergency CPR treatment. However, he failed to regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Local reports state that the singer sent a message to his sister saying the following: “It’s been too hard. Please send me off. Tell everyone I’ve had a hard time. This is my last goodbye.” He is believed to have killed himself by using carbon monoxide.