On April 19th, 2023, 25-year-old Moonbin was discovered deceased in his home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Moonbin made his debut with ASTRO in 2016 and played a prominent role as the main dancer and sub-vocalist. He gained immense popularity not just for his unit performances, but also for his versatile charm displayed in acting and variety shows.
The entertainment industry was taken aback by the unexpected news. Cha Eunwoo, who was in the United States for scheduled events, rushed back home while MJ, who was serving in the military, was granted emergency leave to attend the funeral. Music programs such as “M Countdown”and “Music Bank”paid tribute to Moonbin, and scheduled events were somber and included moments of remembrance for him.
The agency announced that Moonbin had passed away, saying, “His sudden ascension to the heavens leaves us with heavy hearts. It is particularly devastating to have to share this news with fans who have always shown unwavering support and love for Moonbin. We are deeply saddened by the loss of someone who always prioritized and cherished his fans above all else.”
The funeral was held privately, as per the family’s request. Fans and industry colleagues were able to pay their respects at a memorial space provided by Fantagio at its headquarters. Moonbin’s younger sister, Moon Sua, who is currently a member of Billlie, along with ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo, Seventeen’s Seungkwan, VIVIZ’s SinB, and others, visited the memorial space to remember and cherish the moments they shared with the deceased.
The memorial space, which was in operation for the 49 days after Moonbin’s death, has been moved to Namhansanseong Fortress. The agency stated, “In collaboration with the family, we have arranged for an external memorial space to allow AROHAs, who have consistently shown immense love, to extend their heartfelt condolences to Moonbin for a little while longer.”
Despite not being a Buddhist himself, Moonbin’s family requested for a space to be created in Namhansanseong Fortress in his honor. This space, known as “Moon’s Space,”became a popular destination for fans, with Cha Eunwoo and Sanha being the first to visit. The space served as a way for fans to express their longing for the late Moonbin.
As the one-year anniversary of Moonbin’s death draws near, visitors continue to gather at Namhansanseong Fortress to remember him. Placards with heartfelt messages such as “Thank you for being a musician, Bin” and “Always thinking of our Moon, who will forever shine” have been set up by his fans, creating a space filled with love and yearning for the late Moonbin. This space will remain open until April 21st.
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