Mina Chan’s Death During Livestream Puts K-pop Fandom Harassment Back in the Spotlight

Mina Chan, a Japanese influencer living in South Korea, died by suicide while livestreaming from her Seoul apartment in the early hours of Wednesday, authorities said. The case has reignited attention on online harassment and toxic behaviour within segments of K-pop fandoms.

Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station said officers were called to an apartment in Yongsan District at about 5:33 a.m. on Wednesday after an acquaintance reported that the woman had attempted self-harm during a live broadcast. She was found dead at the scene. Chan had roughly 80,000 followers on TikTok, and multiple viewers urged others to alert law enforcement while the stream was in progress.

What Happened and Ongoing Investigation

Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death but have not announced an official cause of death or disclosed details of any criminal probe into online activity. Under South Korean law, defamation and insult can be criminally prosecuted, and authorities have in the past pursued cases involving online abuse directed at public figures.

Context: ENHYPEN Fan Backlash

Chan was known among followers of the South Korean boy band ENHYPEN and regularly attended fan signings and concerts. Negative attention toward her escalated after an ENHYPEN concert in the United States in late July, when a brief exchange — in which Chan reportedly tried to give sunflowers to member Sunoo and asked him to pass them to member Ni-ki — circulated widely on social media.

On July 31, ENHYPEN member Ni-ki (legal name Nishimura Riki) posted that he felt disappointed by concertgoers who seemed to be seeking attention during a TikTok livestream. He did not name anyone.

Many online users interpreted Ni-ki’s remark as referring to the viral footage; Chan later posted an apology online. Neither Ni-ki nor the group’s agency, BELIFT LAB, has confirmed that the comment targeted any specific individual. An official ENHYPEN fan site also said the singer’s message was not aimed at a particular person.

Responsible Reporting

News organizations often limit naming people who die by suicide; the Associated Press says it generally does not publish such names unless the person is widely known or the family has given permission. This report uses the name that has been circulated publicly in social media and news reports.

The investigation into the circumstances of Chan’s death is ongoing. Authorities have urged caution against speculation on social media as they gather facts.