![]() One report on her death that veered close to victim-blaming posited that Sulli had “courted controversy with statements that put her outside of some societal norms here”. One Korean media outlet took down an article that described Sulli as having been a “no bra advocate” after the word choice garnered criticism. Maladroit press coverage has continued after Sulli’s death. ![]() Sulli’s life would have been less stressful if every one of her posts on Instagram or comments on television hadn’t led to a froth of dozens of news articles. This week, the Korea Press Foundation released the results of an analysis of press coverage related to Sulli, which concluded that media outlets sought cheap clicks by circulating speculative articles about Sulli’s personal life without verifying their accuracy, thereby providing a space for hateful comments. READ: Commentary: BIGBANG’s Seungri’s sex scandal and the end of K-pop’s innocence READ: Commentary: K-pop fans should mourn the loss of good music not artistesĪnd South Korea’s media are today facing criticism for possibly having contributed to Sulli’s distress. Yet fandom in South Korea has long been an antagonistic game, with fans identifying not just as supporters of artists they like, but as nasty detractors of public figures they find fault with. Young fans address them with an honorific that means “older sister”, and entertainers are expected to act as role models for the nation’s youth. In a country where appearance is highly prized, they are praised for their beauty, but harshly criticised for physical imperfections. Young, female entertainers occupy a peculiar space in South Korean society. It is of course not only in South Korea that some successful entertainers fall into depression and end their own lives, but Sulli’s case sheds light on aspects of celebrity in this country that are somewhat unique. The public awaits findings on whether it was indeed a case of suicide, but the shock of her sudden departure has prompted some soul-searching in South Korea. There is a growing realisation that toxic societal dynamics might have led her to take her own life, and that South Korean society is unfairly harsh on public figures and lacks support networks and legal recourse to help that acknowledges and tackles these concerns decisively. READ: Commentary: South Korean workers have been bullied for far too long She had been active as an entertainer since age 11, and like many child stars, found the transition into adulthood stressful with press outlets scrutinising her every move, notably her romantic relationship with a man 14 years her senior.Īmid the mourning online, and the fraught attempts to understand why someone so young, famous and talented would end her own life, the phrase “societal killing” has been employed to imply that South Korea, as a society, may be responsible for her death. Sulli herself was young, and came of age in the public spotlight. Given the infinite number of graphic sexual images that anyone with an Internet connection can access nowadays, this must sound pretty tame.īut in South Korea, a country where assertive displays of female sexuality are uncommon, Sulli was attacked as reckless and undignified, damaging the moral fabric of the country and setting a poor example for the fans who looked up to her. ![]() Perhaps most infamously, Sulli posted photos to her Instagram of herself wearing a shirt without a bra, with the faint outlines of her nipples visible, which generated a huge reaction. For years, she had been a target of hateful vitriol online from netizens who disapprove of her public persona. It is no secret Sulli had suffered depression. The cause of death has not been officially announced but online forum have discussed the huge possibility of suicide as the cause and what this means. It was therefore all the more shocking last week when Sulli, a former member of popular girl group (f)x and an actor, was found dead at the age of 25 in her home south of Seoul. In a country with strict social norms, she was a breath of fresh air, who demonstrated that not everyone must follow the crowd. She refused to grovel or apologise when criticised. She was unique in the boldness with which she presented her life online. SEOUL: As a South Korean celebrity, Sulli stood out for her individuality.
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