From Grief, A Flower Blooms: Remembering Moonbin

"It is important to remember to be kind to one another..."

“Members of Astro and fellow artists and staff at Fantagio are deeply saddened and shocked as we mourn him.”

On April 19th, police reported that Moonbin, aged only 25, was found unresponsive by his manager in his apartment located in Gangnam, South Korea. The devastating news was met with collective shock and sadness from fans.

Moonbin’s label, Fantagio Entertainment, announced the news of his death the following day: “On April 19, ASTRO member Moonbin suddenly left us and has now become a star in the sky.” 

The statement continued to say, “Although it cannot compare to the grief of the bereaved family that had to part with their beloved son and brother, his fellow artists and the staff here at Fantagio, who have been together with him for a long time, are also deeply mourning the departed amidst tremendous shock and sorrow.”

“It pains us even more to have to convey this sudden news to the fans who have given their unsparing love and support to Moonbin. Because we know all too well just how unparalleled the departed [Moonbin] was in his love for his fans, whom he was constantly thinking of, the grief is all the more overwhelming.” The statement concluded with the label requesting people to be respectful and avoid speculating on the artist’s passing, allowing the family, who wish for a quiet funeral, to mourn and say their farewells.

The star, who was loved by many, had a successful career, starting as a model and child star and later debuting in 2016, at age 18, as a member of the popular boy group ASTRO under Fantagio Entertainment. Shortly after their debut, ASTRO rose to prominence and was included on Billboard’s list of the top new K-pop acts to debut in 2016. The group is known for their upbeat pop songs accompanied by captivating vocals and striking visuals.

As the lead dancer and vocalist for ASTRO, Moonbin was often praised for his charisma and incredible stage presence while performing. Alongside his fellow ASTRO member Sanha, Moonbin was part of the group’s official subunit, Moonbin & Sanha, which became increasingly popular and widely recognised. The duo released their first EP – ‘IN-OUT’ – in 2020 and recently returned in January 2023 with their third EP, ‘INCENSE’. In March, Moonbin & Sanha embarked on their first official tour, the DIFFUSION tour, where they were scheduled to perform in various cities including Seoul, Manila, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, Jakarta, Tokyo and Osaka. 

Moonbin was an incredibly talented artist and actor, and his passing once again sparked conversations on topics of the health and well-being of artists within the music and entertainment industries. It’s no surprise that idols are often under a lot of pressure due to the competitive nature of the industry and the great expectations placed on them by society. It can often be difficult for artists to manage their physical and mental health alongside their demanding schedules. We never know what a person is dealing with personally, so it is important to remember to be kind to one another. My condolences go out to Moonbin’s family, the ASTRO members, and individuals who were fans of the artist.

Words: Sharifa Charles