K-pop star Min-woo dies aged 33

South Korean singer Seo Min-woo died Sunday night at the age of 33. 

Korean media have quoted Min-woo’s label TOP Media as stating that the lead singer of the boy band 100% died after a suspected cardiac arrest in his home in Gangnam, Seoul, on Sunday, March 25.

Min-woo is the leader of the five-member band since its debut in 2012.

In a statement posted on their website, TOP Media wrote that the singer was found without a pulse in his home and, upon their arrival, first responders declared him dead. 

"This is TOP Media," the statement read. "We apologise for delivering this sudden and heartbreaking news."

It added: "Our artist 100% Minwoo left us on 25 March. He was found with no pulse at his home in Ganghan. Emergency services attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene."

"His family, bandmates, TOP Media colleague artists, and staff members are all grief-stricken and in mourning due to this unexpected sad news," they added.

"As the oldest member of his team, Minwoo led the band and truly loved his fans. For everyone who knew him and was aware of his kind-heartedness and faithfulness, the sadness is even greater."

Singer and actor

Min-woo — who went by his first name professionally — also pursued acting.

He was most recently featured on the band's Japanese EP ‘Song For You’ in February, and appeared on the 2017 Korean television reality series, ‘The Unit’, where K-pop stars competed for the chance to renew their career.

Funeral

Minwoo's funeral will be a quiet, private affair, "according to his family's wishes," they added. "We express our deepest condolences."

Fans posted messages on Twitter to pay their respects.

"[Minwoo] gave up everything for 100% and perfection. Words are not enough to describe how great of a person he is. How lovely, caring and talented his is," a fan wrote on Twitter.

"Rest in peace, Minwoo," another said. "All your efforts, achievements, performances and you yourself will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and friends."

Luke Waltham, a student and K Pop fan, tweeted: "Sending my condolences and love to the fans, friends and family of Seo Minwoo and 100%"

Popular

K Pop originated in South Korea and has, over the past 5-10 years, amassed a huge fanbase in its neighbouring Japanese market as well as in India, Latin America, the US and the UK.

The music itself is slick pop accompanied by colourful music videos that involve incredibly precise choreography — stars of the genre are known as "idols" or idol groups.

Last year BTS, one of the biggest K Pop groups, scored the first US hit for a K Pop band in the history of Billboard's Pop Songs radio airplay, with the Steve Aoki remix "MIC Drop".