Park Bo Ram: South Korean K-Pop star suddenly dies aged 30

Korean pop star Park Bo Ram has been found dead at a friend’s home aged just 30

The South Korean music community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of K-pop star Park Bo Ram at the tender age of 30. She was found deceased by her friends following a night of socializing, during which she collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest at her friend’s residence in Seoul. Despite being swiftly taken to the hospital, she tragically passed away about an hour later.

Reports indicate that she was at a private gathering with two friends on 11 April when she was discovered unconscious in a bathroom, as quoted by South Korean entertainment website AllKPop from a police statement.

South Korean singer Park Bo-ram

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her untimely death. According to a South Korean news outlet, Park had excused herself to use the bathroom during the gathering but did not return. Her friends became concerned and found her slumped over the bathroom sink.

Bo-ram was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead at 11.17 pm.

Local news media reported that she was found unconscious at a friend's house. Her management agency Xanadu Entertainment released a statement expressing deep mourning: "Park Bo-ram suddenly passed away late at night on 11 April. All of the artists and executives at Xanadu Entertainment are deeply mourning the deceased with great sadness. The funeral will be held after consulting with the bereaved family... The cause of death is currently being investigated by the police."

According to police, Park was with two other women at her friend's house in Seoul on Thursday when she was found to have collapsed, suffering a cardiac arrest

Her agency has urged the public and media not to speculate about the cause of her death as it is under police investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, according to the police.

Park gained popularity at the age of 16 after appearing on Mnet's singing reality competition Superstar K2 in 2010, where she reached the top eight.

She made her solo debut in 2014 with the single "Beautiful" and released several other popular hits such as "Celepretty," "Sorry," "Pretty Bae," "Dynamic Love," and contributed to the soundtrack of the highly acclaimed Korean coming-of-age drama Reply 1988.

She was rushed to hospital, but died at 11.17pm, about an hour after she was found

Additionally, she collaborated with various Korean artists including Eric Nam, Park Kyung, Parc Jae-jung, Lil Boi, and Huh Gak.

Reports indicate that Bo-ram was in the midst of preparing for a full-length album to mark the 10-year anniversary of her debut and had recently released the new single "I Miss You" on 3 April.

Park's agency XANADU Entertainment released a statement - carried by South Korean media outlets - announcing the singer's passing

This tragic event adds to the sorrowful list of young South Korean singers who have recently passed away. Last year saw the loss of 25-year-old singer Moonbin, who died by suicide, and Choi Sung-bong, aged 33, who also died in an apparent suicide in 2023.

De Telegraaf, a Dutch news outlet, has drawn attention to South Korea's alarming suicide rate among young people, ranking highest among developed countries worldwide.