TikTok influencer, 26, takes her own life on livestream after harassment

A K-pop superfan and influencer killed herself while on a TikTok livestream after online abuse from other fans.

Mina Chan, believed to be 26, was found dead in her Seoul home in the Yongsan District at 5.33 am on Wednesday, August 5.

Police were called after her friends raised concerns that she was going to self-harm during a live broadcast to her 80,000 TikTok followers.

Her sister later confirmed the death on Instagram in an emotional statement, calling the loss ‘heartbreaking’.

‘My beloved older sister, who was always kind and warm to everyone she met, has passed away,’ she wrote.

Mina, originally from Japan, became a well-known influencer within the K-pop group ENHYPEN’s fanbase, often appearing at shows and fan events.

She became the focus of backlash after reportedly trying to give flowers to member Ni-ki, 20, at a concert in the USA in July.

Unable to reach him, she tried to hand them to another member, Sunoo, 23, and asked him to pass the flowers on in a moment that quickly went viral.

Some claimed she was ‘yelling’ at the singer, while others said she looked annoyed and went on her phone after the failed gift-giving.

Later, Ni-ki, real name Nishimura Riki, said on a live stream that he was disappointed in concertgoers who ‘only want attention’ for themselves but did not mention Mina by name.

‘Everywhere we go there are a few people who really want us to notice them,’ he said.

She apologized, saying she had also brought flowers for Sunoo, and took pictures with both singers after the show.

‘I’m truly sorry. I feel so apologetic toward Sunoo and all the Sunoo fans,’ Mina wrote on X.

While Ni-ki’s official fan site denied that his comments were aimed at one person, no official statement has been released by him or ENHYPEN.

Police in South Korea have not made a statement on the cause of death, but The Sun reported that an investigation is underway.

It is not known if the backlash is linked to her alleged suicide. Cyber defamation and public insult are both criminal offences in South Korea, carrying jail sentences and hefty fines.

Days after the death, ENHYPEN returned to the stage in Busan on Saturday, August 8, for their Blood Saga world tour.

Ni-ki told fans: ‘ENGENE [the fanbase] and us really share the same feelings, so let’s create more unforgettable memories together.’

Tributes have continued to be shared for Chan, but ENHYPEN and Ni-ki have not publicly commented on the influencer’s death.

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