Former K-pop idol Kwon Mina was reportedly rescued after a serious suicide attempt on New Year's Day, according to a series of alarming social media posts she later deleted.
A Distressing Start to the New Year
The 32-year-old singer and actress, who has a documented history of mental health crises, shared a post to her Instagram on January 1 titled 'Goodbye and I’m sorry'. Roughly two hours later, she uploaded another message explaining she had tried to end her life but was found just in time. Shortly after, she deleted her entire Instagram account.
In the post, translated by outlet AllKPop, Mina wrote: 'If it had been left just a little longer, I really could have kept my promise today. But suddenly I heard noises, and someone started shaking me violently.' She described her consciousness fading before being rescued, adding bitterly, 'I've become like the boy who cried wolf.'
A History of Trauma and Previous Attempts
Mina's latest crisis is part of a prolonged struggle. She first attempted suicide in 2020, alleging it was due to long-term bullying by a fellow member during her time in the chart-topping girl group AOA. She was a member of the group from its debut in 2012 until she left in 2019.
She was hospitalised again in 2021 after being found unconscious at home. Prior to the January 1 incident, Mina posted that she 'wasn't in a normal state of mind', citing past bullying and an alleged sexual assault from 2007 as sources of ongoing mental anguish.
She detailed a four-year legal battle as a victim of sexual assault resulting in injury, where the assault was acknowledged but the injury was not proven. The perpetrator was found not guilty in the first trial due to the statute of limitations. Mina explained she was too afraid of retaliation and had no money for hospital treatment at the time, hindering evidence collection.
Broader Context of Tragedy in K-pop
Mina's ordeal highlights the intense pressures within the South Korean entertainment industry. Her public accusations in 2020 against former AOA member Shin Jimin led to Jimin denying the claims as 'fiction', quitting the group, and taking a two-year hiatus.
Tragically, Mina's story is not isolated. The K-pop world has been rocked by several high-profile suicides in recent years, including:
- Moonbin (2023), the 25-year-old member of boy band Astro.
- Kim Sae-ron (2024), the 24-year-old actress.
- Sulli (2019) and her close friend Goo Hara (2019), both former girl group members.
- Kim Jong-hyun (2017), lead singer of SHINee.
Mina's management agency has been contacted for comment regarding her current condition and wellbeing.
