The K-Pop world and Filipino fans of former girl band F(x), Sulli is shaken due to her sudden death on October 14, 2019. According to BBC News. It was the singer’s manager who found her dead on the second floor of her home in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam (Southern part of Seoul), when she could no longer be reached on Monday.
Her demise saddened K-Pop fans all over the world since millions of people love her. Despite being bullied by online, many have seen Sulli’s talent and her good personality. In fact, she has 6 million Instagram followers who are watching her every move. But after deciding to leave this world, Sulli’s fans have nothing to look forward to on her social media accounts.
Although she is no longer with us, Sulli, whose real name is Choi Jin-ri, has certainly left a legacy in the K-Pop industry. Yes, we are mourning her death but let us take a look at the wonderful gifts she has left us before she bid a final goodbye.
1. Hit K-Pop Songs
La Ch Ta
Sulli’s fame started with the rise of then-popular group F(x) with their debut hit single “La Ch Ta” in 2009. This is the group’s debut digital single with an upbeat melody and harmony which kick-started their career in the music industry.
Pinocchio (Danger)
In May 2010, the said girl group released an extended play album entitled “Nu Abo”. Following the said release was “Pinocchio”, their first studio album topping the Korean Music Charts the following year. The song “Pinocchio (Danger)” received 8 music show awards. It bagged three awards on Inkigayo, three on M! Countdown and another two on Music Bank.
The part where Sulli sings the lyrics “remember me” makes fans cry as it seemingly deliver her message to those who love her to always remember her even if she is gone.
Electric Shock
In June of 2012, F(x) hit the music charts again with the song “Electric Shock,” making them win their first award at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards for Best in Performance.
The group was doing great and many appreciated their music, fashion, and talent. However, not everyone was pleased and there were people who kept on bashing them as a group and individually. Of all the f(x) members, it was Sulli who faced criticisms which led to her depression.
Rum Pum Pum Pum
The female group’s stardom continued with their second album “Pink Tape,” which paved the way for them to be recognized in the US. Apart from that, the lead single “Pum Pum Pum” in the same album became a hit with Asian fans. The song “Red Light” received the same impact on their fans.
Fans love their songs not only because of its rhythm or tone but also its lyrics with deep meaning. Many claim that they like the songs even more after knowing the lyrics.
In Jul 2014, Sulli took a hiatus from the group due to stress-related pain caused by the rumors about her personal life. But in 2015, she parted ways with the female group in 2015 and started her acting career.
Goblin
Her legacy as a singer continued recently with the song “Goblin,” released in June with a 5.1M video views hit on Youtube. The song is about a person about dissociative disorder and how she deals with herself and her three other personalities.
Fans are saying that Sulli did not commit suicide but she was killed by the society. Many also feel that some words of the lyrics is her message to the society and her online bullies.
2. Films and TV shows
When Sulli parted ways with her group choosing to focus on acting, she starred in Fashion King, a comedy film and Real, a drama in 2017.
All along, acting has always been her innate talent. Sulli actually started as a child star portraying the role of Princess Seonhwa of Silla for Ballad of Seodong, a drama in 2005 aired on SBS, a Korean Broadcast Network.
Real
In 2017, Sulli was part of this neo-noir action film which is based from superheroes comics of Manhwa webtoons. She played the role of a physical therapy expert and a lover of the lead star Jang Tae-young played by Kim Soo-hyun. This film is one of Sulli’s biggest acting project where she had the oppurnity to show how talented she is.
The Night of Hate Comments
This South Korean variety program first aired on June 21, 2019 with Sulli as one of the main stays as a host. In the show, they read negative comments about guest stars. However, according to Professor Kwon, being part of the show wasn’t good for Sulli. Although the hate comments weren’t directed to her, it still affected her which worsens her stress and depression.
Recently, the program cancelled its Oct. 18 airing. It is still unclear whether other pre-recorded episodes will be aired.
To The Beautiful You
Based on Japanese shōjo manga series, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, this televsion drama series centers on Sulli’s character, Goo Jae-hee. Her character is a bullied US student due to her looks which made her want to drop out of school.
She was attracted to Kang Tae-joon played by Choi Min-ho who happens to be an athlete in a Korean school. Since Tae-joon attends an all-boys high school, Jae-hee cuts her hair short disguising as a boy just to join the school and see Tae-joon.
Sulli’s acting was impressed as she tries to be a boy while still being charming. The series was a hit all over the world was even aired in different areas including the Philippines with a Tagalog dub. Sulli won the New Star Award for this show in the SBS Drama Awards 2012. She also recieved the Best Couple Award along with Choi Min-ho.
Jinri Market
This reality TV program aired on October 25, 2018 which shows the lifestyle of a K-Pop idol. It is said that the show is made for haters or for people who has negative connotations to artists. The aim of the program is to show the public who Sulli really is which might help the public understand Suli better as they get a deeper insight about her life.
However, those who absolutely hate her continue to express their dislike to the star. The show ended in January 15, 2019.
3. Her natural charm.
Apart from being a star wowed for in the K-Pop world, especially her Filipino fans, she has had several brand endorsements. The singer-actress is known to be one of Estee Lauder’s brand ambassadors. She attended one of its promotional events on October 10, 2019, held Seol South Korea.
But what do you think does another K-Pop star’s demise say about cyberbullying?
While it is not yet confirmed, police say they are looking at suicide as the cause of her death, and some of her fellow K-Pop artists and fans suspect that cyberbullying is the culprit.
The Dark Side of Idol Culture
Social media has now become an avenue for self-expression. For fans, it is their window to see the life of their idols. For famous personalities, it isn’t just a mere exposure to gain more following and attract new fans, its also a nightmare for them.
In the case of Sulli, she faced backlash in so many ways. People even leave negative comments about her not wearing a bra which is supposed to be a personal preference. Despite all the hate she received, Sulli tried to be strong. Many fans continued supporting her career. But her rising career is masquerades her pain, loneliness, and depression- something no one didn’t really care much about.
“‘I think that if I worry too much about what other people think of me, then it will be too difficult to find my own self. Because I would get influenced by everyone. I do work at it, but ever since I was young, I hated seeing myself obsess about what others thought of me,” Sulli said in the Night of Hate Comments, as quoted by Metro.
But no matter how strong she appears, she still cries when she is alone. A recent live video of Sulli crying worried fans especially that she wasn’t saying anything. The silent video shows the star smiling and in tears at the same time. No one was around except her cat. Apparently, she was alone despite her millions of fans worldwide.
And you know what’s ironic? Despite all the hate she received when she was alive, Sulli is loved by everyone now that is gone. Didn’t she deserve this when she was still with us?
Indeed, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a child, teen, or adult or if you are famous or not. Cyberbullying will continue to distress anyone bullied online. While some people might say one has control of his/her emotions, it’s never at all right to cause anyone’s emotional downfall by carelessly expressing thoughts on the web. Not everyone has the same level of support available the moment that they struggle with their emotions because of some comments received online.
Celebrities get bullied big time just because some people think it’s okay to tell them how they feel of the person not knowing they are as human as anybody is – they have feelings too.
With that, there should be a responsible use of social media and gadgets from all the corners of the world. There should also be support groups to reach out to people in need of emotional help. May suicide deaths caused by cyberbullying teach everyone in the world social media etiquette and choose to rather become advocates of goodwill than a cause of anyone’s demise.
Sulli may be gone but her legacy will remain in the K-Pop world and in the entire entertainment industry, especially to her Filipino fans.
