Yohan From K-Pop Boyband, TST Unexpectedly Passed Away — Here's What We Know
Updated June 17 2020, 1:09 p.m. ET
On Tuesday, June 16, critically-acclaimed K-pop boyband, TST (aka TOP SECRET) lost a beloved member named Yohan (whose real name is Kim Jeong-hwan), only three years after he joined the group back in 2017.
Yohan was only 28 years old when he passed away, and needless to say, he will be greatly missed by friends, family, and fans across the globe.
So, what happened? Here's what we know, regarding TST's highly unexpected loss.
What was Yohan's cause of death?
TOP SECRET's fallen band-member, Yohan, was apparently found dead on June 16, according to So Mag News, however, the singer's family members have chosen to keep the cause of death and other details completley private. Fans were completely shocked by the news, as the pop star had only recently celebrated his birthday. And obviously, the band's label, KJ Music Entertainment, was heart-broken.
KJ Music Entertainment gave an official statement to AllKPop, which read:
"We are sad to relay the most unfortunate, sorrowful news. Back on June 16, TST member Yohan left this world. The late Yohan's family is currently in deep mourning. The family has pleaded that media articles about Yohan's passing, such as those making speculations about the cause of his death, be refrained out of respect. We express our deepest condolences in light of Yohan's final parting."
The musician's wake, according to YDraft, will reportedly take place at at Seoul’s Severance Hospital. The funeral will be held on June 18 (Korea time) in Yongin.
Who was Yohan?
Yohan joined TST back in 2017, after his previous band, NOM disbanded that same year. He had joined the K-pop scene as NOM's lead vocalist back in 2013, when the band's first single, "Pretty Sister" was released, according to SCMP. When he wasn't singing with the band, he thoroughly enjoyed editing videos alongside TST's lead singer, Ain.
Many referred to him as "sparkling Yohan" because of his bubbly personality, and earlier this year, he reached out to fans on live-stream, where he accepted song requests and doled out life updates. He had apparently been doing some soul-searching and read the book Everyone Turns 30, highlighting the quote: “Everyone on this stage called life is worthy to get a spotlight, whether as a lead or as an extra"
He felt this quote moved him more than anything else, adding he had been doing some self-reflecting, and needed to take this into account while living his life.
The band had recently released a new single, ahead of a new album.
TST had released a new single — as well as an upcoming album title — earlier this year in January 2020, called "Countdown," according to Soompi. It's unclear when the full album was going to come out, but it seems as though it will be released with a heavy heart, to say the least.
RIP Yohan, you will be greatly missed. Our utmost condolences go out to the singer's friends, family, fans, and — of course — bandmates.
