K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun dies aged 28

From Digital Spy

K-pop singer Jonghyun, who was part of one of South Korea's biggest bands, has sadly passed away aged just 28.

The singer-songwriter, whose full name was Kim Jong-hyun, rose to fame as a member of the five-piece group SHINee.

Jonghyun was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious in his apartment in Seoul, The Korean Herald reports, the paper adding that he was 28.

His death is being investigated as a possible suicide, police confirmed to the BBC Korean Service.

According to reports, the singer's sister alerted police after she received a number of alarming text messages from her brother.

SHINee rose to fame in 2008 after being signed by SM Entertainment, going on to sell hundreds of thousands of records, and later broke the Japanese market.

They are known as "the princes of K-pop", and have toured outside Asia with appearances in the UK and North America. Jonghyun also had a successful solo career, releasing his debut album She Is in 2016.

Tributes have flown in from fans since the sad news broke, one writing: "He was a true talent and creative, and will be dearly missed. I'm still having trouble taking in the news. Rest In Peace."

Another added: "Please, remember Jonghyun as the amazing person he was, the idol who fought for lgtb rights, remember him for his talent, for the happiness he brought and for how much he fought to make a change."