In a shocking turn of events, SHINee member Jonghyun was found dead at his apartment in Seoul. According to police, the idol was found unconscious at his residence in Cheongdam with a coal briquette. Though he was rushed to the hospital, the entertainer succumbed to death after failed CPRs. Jonghyun's agency SM Entertainment has confirmed the news through a press statement.
"We couldn't compare it to the sadness of his family that has left by their beloved son and brother. The news has left other SHINee members who have been together for a long time, and SM Entertainment's fellow artists and employees in a great state of shock and sadness. Jonghyun was the best artist who loved music and showed his best performance on stage always," the statement read. The agency also requested fans and media to refrain from spreading any rumours regarding the situation. They also added that the star's funeral will be a private ceremony in the presence of close family friends.
The presence of coal briquette has raised the suspicion of a suicide attempt. If a briquette is burnt in a closed room, it releases the poisonous carbon monoxide, which eventually results in death. The police rushed to the singer's residence after his sister hinted of a possible suicide attempt as he is said to have fighting depression. "On 18 December 2017 at 4.42pm, Jonghyun's older sister reported to police that her brother was about to take his own life," a statement on Independent UK read.
Jonghyun, whose original name is Kim Jong-hyun is the vocalist of five-member boy band SHINee. So far, the group has recorded six Korean and five Japanese albums. Jonghyun's last Instagram post was on November 20--a screenshot of the lyrics to the Dear Cloud song Beside You.
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