Cha In-Ha Fans Mourn Death of Another Young Korean Celebrity Following Actor's Death at 27
Fans have been shaken by the death of Cha In-ha, who died at the age of 27, as the news comes less than two weeks since K-pop star Goo Hara was found dead earlier this month.
The South Korean actor was found dead in his home on Tuesday. The cause of death has yet to be determined and is currently under investigation, police confirmed.
Cha's manager was reported to have discovered his body and contacted the police. No final message or will was found, Allkpop reports.
The actor's last post on Instagram was on Monday, around 20 hours before the news of his death broke. The actor shared a picture of himself looking at his phone alongside a seemingly innocent message which, translated from Korean, reads: "Everyone, be careful so you don't catch a cold."
Fantagio, the actor's management company, released a statement confirming the news. on December 3, actor Cha In Ha left our sides. We are truly heartbroken to deliver sad news to everyone who has sent lots of love and support to Cha In Ha until now. We are filled with grief at this news that is still hard to believe," the statement, obtained by Soompi, said.
"We earnestly ask for rumors to not be spread and for speculative reports to not be released in order for his family, who is experiencing greater sadness more than anyone due to the sudden sad news, to send him away peacefully," the company stated. The actor's family reportedly planning to have a private funeral, according to Fantagio.
Cha was an up-and-coming actor who made his debut in 2017 as part of an acting group known as SURPRISE U, also managed by Fantagio. He starred in a short film called You, Deep Inside Me and in the television drama series Love With Flaws.
Fans of the late actor have taken to social media to express their shock and disbelief over the death of yet another young Korean celebrity. Cha's death follows a series of deaths among K-pop stars this year, most recently Hara and Sulli, who was suspected to have died by suicide in October.
"I am so scared. What is happening? Another precious life has been lost and yet we continue to do nothing. What can we do to prevent this, if it's even possible?," wrote @012_knight.
"Oh god. What is happening to this industry?????? When is this gonna stopppppp???," wrote @DhawanManomeeta.
"What is happening in the Korean entertainment industry," wrote @Harshveer_Kaur.
"So young, what is going on," wrote @BandiolaAlice.
"I literally can't take this anymore. My heart is broken in pieces. He was literally just on Instagram yesterday. I can honestly say 2019 you suck! Rest In Peace handsome #Chainha we love you #차인하 [Cha In Ha]," wrote @Pbunny_97.
The Korean entertainment industry has come under scrutiny in recent months following the deaths of young stars, many of whom were reported to be victims of cyberbullying such as Sulli, who was often scrutinized for her provocative posts on social media and spoke out against cyberbullying.
In October, Korean authorities were said to be newly committed to eradicating cyberbullying following the death of Sulli, with the Korea Entertainment Management Association (CEMA) announcing its "plan to prevent pop culture artists from being hurt" in a statement.
The company stated it would "no longer stand by as cyber terror in the form of malicious comments go well beyond what people can accept as public figures and begin to trample people's dignity and hurt their friends and loved ones."
Members of the South Korean parliament were also reportedly open to forming a committee to discuss the need for tougher regulations to combat online bullying.
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.
