Sulli death: IU hit song Peach re-enters charts as tribute to star, 25, found dead at home
A 2012 K-pop hit has re-entered the South Korean charts following the death of former girl band member Sulli.
‘Peach’ was written by fellow pop star IU - real name Lee Ji Eun - who penned the lyrics seven years ago for her close friend.
At the time of its release, IU, 26, confirmed pal Sulli, 25, had inspired the ballad, saying she “wrote the lyrics about (her) from the point of view of a man.”
Fans have been streaming the touching single since yesterday, when news of Sulli’s death broke.
The 25-year-old, whose real name is Choi Jin-ri, was found dead at her home in Seongnam on Monday afternoon local time.
The loss of the former f(x) star has shaken fans and the South Korean music industry, as tributes pour in to the late singer and actress.
Sulli and IU had been friends for years, often sharing selfies after they got to know each other while hosting a music show.
Speaking on MBC’s Radio Star in 2013, Sulli discussed her pal’s hit Peach, saying: “IU and I hosted a music program together, and she had told me that she would be writing a song for me.
“My fans call me Peach, so when her new song came out, I called to ask her about it, and she confirmed that the song was for me.
‘“The lyrics were all compliments, and things that IU unnie [older sister] would tell me whenever she saw me.”
The pair remained close, and in a recent episode of South Korean variety show Night of Hate Comments, Sulli said trolls would often ask why IU was friends with her.
The 25-year-old spoke openly about the online abuse she regularly received.
In 2018, she revealed on reality TV show Jinri Store she had suffered panic disorders from a young age.
“Even close people left me,” she said. “I was hurt by them and felt there was nobody who understands me, which made me fall apart.”
News of Sulli’s death has prompted social media users to call for an end to cyberbullying, which many believe contributed to her mental health struggles.
It has also led to the cancellation or postponement of numerous public events and song releases as a sign of respect.
K-Pop group Super Junior was due to drop its latest music video on Monday evening, but pushed the release to October 17 instead.
Due to recent events i’ll be putting on hold my upcoming activities. Sorry everyone.
Thank you for your thoughts.— Amber J. Liu 刘逸云 (@llama_ajol)
Former f(x) member, Amber Liu also shared a post on Twitter saying: “Due to recent events I’ll be putting on hold my upcoming activities. Sorry everyone.”
Many other popular K-Pop artists including Kang Daniel, Iz*One, WJSN, Ab6ix, Seventeen and SF9’s Youngbin cancelled various shows and appearances in light of the tragic event.
IU postponed her own mini album 'Love Poem', with her studio asking fans for their "understanding" during this difficult time.
Seongnam Sujeong Police is now planning to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Sulli’s death, according to South Korean news site Soompi.
Peach
Lyrics - English translation
My eyes keep going to that white face
Why don’t I even get sick of you?
When you slightly smile at me,
I really go crazy
How can you be so pretty baby?
How can I explain this feeling?
When I see you,
My heart becomes numb and sore
Oh, with what word can I explain you?
All the words of the world is probably not enough
With those legs that are so pretty by just standing still
You walk toward me and you hug me
You know he’s so beautiful
Maybe you will never know
I want to hide you in my embrace
And only I want to look at you
I’m not saying this out of a young heart
But I really want to marry you
Oh, with what word can I explain you?
All the words of the world is probably not enough.
