SOUTH KOREA (TR) – A Japanese female influencer in her 20s residing in Seoul died by suicide during a TikTok livestream on August 5, sparking a police investigation and exposing a dark underworld of K-pop cyberbullying.
The incident took a turn days later when a fake apology letter claiming to be from a Japanese idol she had an interest in began circulating online, reports ZakZak (Aug. 10).
According to reports by Yonhap News and JoongAng Ilbo, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the woman.
The influencer was known online as a devoted fan of Ni-ki, the 20-year-old sole Japanese member of the popular South Korean boy band ENHYPEN. Prior to her death, she had become the target of relentless online attacks from both Japanese and Korean fans who criticized her for her conspicuous efforts to stand out and grab the idol’s attention at concerts.
Boiling point
The harassment reached a boiling point following a July 30 live broadcast on the streaming platform Weverse. During the stream, Ni-ki expressed his frustration, openly criticizing fans who engage in disruptive or overly flashy behavior solely to get noticed during performances.
Feeling the heat of the online mob, she took to X and a YouTube channel called “Saranpi TV” on August 1 and 2 to explain her side of the story and issue an apology to Ni-ki and the fandom.
Just days later, she took her own life in front of a live TikTok audience.
Forged letter
The tragic broadcast has sent shockwaves through social media, with netizens quick to link her suicide directly to the K-pop star’s remarks. The controversy took an even more bizarre turn on August 7, when a forged apology letter, falsely claiming to be from Ni-ki, began circulating wildly on X.
While a debate rages online — with some defending the 20-year-old idol and others demanding accountability from him and his intense fanbase — critics are pointing the finger at the unchecked, vicious cyberbullying that ultimately drove the young influencer to her death.
