K-Pop star killed in Seoul Halloween crowd crush

K-Pop star and actor Lee Jihan has been confirmed as one of the victims of the Seoul Halloween stampede that has killed over 150 people.

Jihan, 24, found fame on a South Korean singing competition, before successfully moving into to acting.

The two agencies representing the star – 935 Entertainment and 9Auto Entertainment – confirmed the news on Sunday.

Posting a black square on Instagram, they wrote in their statement that they were “heartbroken to be greeted with sad news” of his death and told fans Jihan “has become a star in the sky and left us”.

Expressing their “heartfelt condolences” to his family and all those who loved him, they called him “a sweet and warm friend to all”.

They also wrote about his “bright smile” and paid tribute to his “passion for acting”, wishing him well for his “last journey”.

Jihan found fame on South Korean reality show Produce 101 back in 2017, where 101 K-pop hopefuls competed to win a place in an 11-member boy band.

Despite not being picked to be part of the final band – Wanna One – Jihan used the platform to move onto acting, starring in the South Korean high-school drama Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.

Former Produce 101 contestants Park Heeseok, Kim Do-hyun and Cho Jin Hyung also paid tribute. They wrote in a joint statement: “Ji Han has left this world and gone to a comfortable place. We ask that you say goodbye to him on his final path.”

Funerals for the victims are already underway and South Korea’s government said it will offer support for funeral expenses.

According to AllKPop, Ji Han’s funeral will be held on 1 November.

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South Korea is now in a period of national mourning following the Halloween stampede in the party district of Itaewon, Seoul, which largely claimed the lives of young people in their teens or 20s.

The cause of the crush is currently unclear, but some local media reports suggested the crowd rushed down the narrow street after hearing an unidentified celebrity was in the area.

It’s been confirmed that at least 26 foreign nationals have been killed in the tragedy, from countries including America, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway.

Numerous K-pop music releases and events – many themed around Halloween – have been cancelled or postponed following the tragedy.

Two events with BTS member Kim Seok-jin scheduled for 30 and 31 October have been put on hold, and the 2022 Busan One Asia Festival concert featuring multiple South Korean singing stars, which had been due to take place on 30 October, has now been cancelled.

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