Mina Chan, a 26-year-old devoted fan of the K-pop group ENHYPEN, died by suicide, sparking a public outcry and drawing criticism toward the group's member Ni-ki over controversial remarks made during a livestream. The incident has intensified discussions about the pressures faced by fans and the impact of online harassment. The controversy began on July 31 when Ni-ki, a member of ENHYPEN, made comments during a TikTok livestream about fans who seek attention at events. He stated, “Live venues are places where everyone can be happy. It’s a shame there was someone trying to get noticed and show off. That’s kinda disappointing to see some people just want attention for themselves. When I see that, the vibe drops.” His remarks, which critics argue perpetuated toxic fan culture, ignited backlash from fans and mental health advocates. Mina Chan, who was deeply connected to the ENHYPEN fandom, had amassed over 11,000 followers on X and more than 78,000 on Instagram. She was reported to have graduated from Rikkyo University earlier this year and was believed to be living in South Korea. In the days leading to her death, she shared screenshots of abusive direct messages on Instagram, which included harsh critiques of her fan behavior. One message read, “You only ever see the good side of things, so you’re staying positive. Seriously, please graduate from being a fan already. Watching you act all superior honestly made me sick.” Another message added, “I’m not saying people who don’t go to concerts are completely wrong, but I just can’t understand the way you support them.” Mina responded to the messages by writing, “Why do I have to be told things like this by complete strangers?” Her final posts reflected her struggle with online harassment and the emotional toll of being a fan.#enhypen #yonhap_news_agency #mina_chan #ni_ki #rikkyo_university
