Sulli

Sulli fue una cantante, actriz y modelo surcoreana. Conocida inicialmente por su imagen pura, más tarde se convirtió en una de las figuras más francas del K-pop, hablando abiertamente sobre salud mental y ciberacoso en una época en que esos temas eran tabú. Fue una de las personas más buscadas en Google en Corea del Sur. Su música en solitario, incluido el sencillo Goblin (2019), mostró un lado más personal y experimental. Sus fans la recuerdan no solo por su talento, sino por su valentía para vivir auténticamente en una industria que exigía conformidad.[editar]

Nacida como Choi Jin-ri el 29 de marzo de 1994 en Busan, Corea del Sur, más tarde sería ampliamente conocida por su nombre artístico, Sulli. Su nombre de nacimiento completo, Jin-ri, significa verdad en coreano, una designación adecuada para alguien que más tarde se haría famosa por su honestidad. Creció en Busan con sus tres hermanos, y desde pequeña su madre la inscribió en clases de actuación, nutriendo sus talentos tempranos e intereses por la interpretación. A los 11 años, en 2005, Sulli dio un paso importante en su trayectoria, mudándose sola a Seúl para asistir a la Academia MTM, una prestigiosa escuela de artes escénicas donde recibió formación integral en canto, baile y actuación.

Ese mismo año, 2005, marcó un período crucial en su incipiente carrera. Hizo su debut profesional como actriz como miembro del reparto de apoyo en el drama histórico de SBS Ballad of Seodong. Demostrando sus talentos multifacéticos, Sulli también audicionó con éxito para SM Entertainment ese año, siendo aceptada como aprendiz y comenzando así su camino formal hacia una carrera en el K-pop. Antes de su debut definitivo con el popular grupo de K-pop f(x), continuó desarrollando su portafolio actoral, apareciendo en varios papeles invitados en televisión y películas independientes, incluyendo Punch Lady (2007) y BA:BO (2008). [editar]

Sulli debutó como miembro de f(x) en 2009. El grupo rápidamente se convirtió en uno de los actos principales del K-pop, con éxitos como Pinocchio (2011) y Electric Shock (2012). En 2013, f(x) se convirtió en el primer grupo de K-pop en actuar en South by Southwest en Austin, Texas. Aún en el grupo, Sulli regresó a la actuación con el papel principal en To the Beautiful You (2012), una adaptación coreana del manga Hana-Kimi. Su actuación le valió dos Premios SBS Drama. Más tarde protagonizó la película de fantasía The Pirates (2014) y el drama Fashion King (2014). En 2014, tomó un descanso debido a rumores maliciosos y problemas de salud. Salió oficialmente de f(x) en agosto de 2015 para centrarse en la actuación. Luego modeló para Estée Lauder y apareció en el thriller neo-noir Real (2017). En 2018, participó en el sencillo Dayfly de Dean. Su primer álbum sencillo en solitario Goblin se lanzó en junio de 2019. [editar]

Al inicio de su carrera, Sulli era conocida por su imagen inocente, de muñeca, y su sonrisa brillante. Pero a medida que crecía, comenzó a rebelarse contra las estrictas expectativas impuestas a los ídolos del K-pop. Habló abiertamente sobre sus problemas de salud mental, criticó el ciberacoso y defendió los derechos de las mujeres. Este cambio la convirtió en una figura polarizante, pero también en un símbolo de rebelión para muchos. Su presencia en redes sociales era sincera y sin filtros, a menudo publicando fotos y pensamientos que desafiaban las normas tradicionales. Tras su muerte, su legado como pionera de la autenticidad en el K-pop solo ha crecido. [editar]

Choi Seol-ri, known professionally as Sulli, cultivated a fanbase that defied the traditional hierarchy of K-pop. Though no official fandom name was ever designated during her lifetime, supporters often identified themselves as 'sullian' or simply as devotees of her solo work and her time in f(x). Following her passing, the peach emoji 🍑 emerged as the central icon of her posthumous tribute culture, adopted by fans to honor her nickname and symbolize her authentic spirit. This community transformed into a force for advocacy, launching digital campaigns and petition drives demanding stricter laws against cyberbullying in South Korea. Rituals involving peach-themed art and photos posted on her birthday and death anniversary serve as a digital shrine, preserving her memory through a collective act of remembrance that feels more intimate than typical idol worship.

Sulli's cultural footprint remains substantial, reflected in her standing within global fame metrics. She is currently the 68th most famous person in South Korea, a position she has held steady across recent cycles according to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement underscores her enduring relevance in a nation where her name frequently topped search queries. Her influence extends beyond domestic borders, anchoring her legacy in a broader conversation about mental health and industry reform.[editar]

Her given name Jin-ri translates to truth in Korean, a fitting moniker for an artist who spoke candidly about her struggles. The nickname Giant Baby originated from her tall stature contrasted with her youthful features. In 2012, she appeared alongside Victoria Song in a Super Junior music video. A music critic once observed that she laughed when she wanted to laugh and cried when she wanted to cry, noting her brazen refusal to fit the mould. She was the most Googled person in South Korea in 2017.

Among the legends surrounding her life, the moment she declared 'I am not a doll' after facing backlash for wearing a bikini top became a defining act of rebellion. Fans still retell the story of her final blog post, 'I am so sorry... I am so tired,' written hours before her body was discovered, which cemented her narrative as a tragedy caused by systemic failure. The funeral scene, where over 10,000 mourners gathered holding peach signs, is often cited as an unprecedented display of public grief that sparked a national conversation about mental health.[editar]

Sulli nació de sus padres en Busan y tuvo tres hermanos mayores. Su hermano Choi Dae-hee ha sido mencionado en algunas fuentes. Era cercana a sus compañeras de f(x), particularmente a Victoria Song, a quien consideraba familia. [editar]

Sulli fue miembro de f(x) junto a Victoria Song, Amber Liu, Luna y Krystal Jung. Salió con el rapero Choiza de Dynamic Duo de 2013 a 2017. Colaboró con Dean en el sencillo Dayfly de 2018. [editar]

Sulli mantuvo una relación pública con el rapero Choiza, miembro del dúo de hip-hop Dynamic Duo, desde 2013 hasta 2017. La relación se confirmó en 2013. Estuvieron juntos aproximadamente cuatro años antes de que, según informes, rompieran en 2017. No se le conocía una relación pública en el momento de su muerte en 2019. [editar]

Choi Jin-ri, professionally known as Sulli, was found dead on October 14, 2019, at her home in the Gwanggyo-dong neighborhood of Seongnam-si. She was 25 years old. According to police reports and statements from her family, she was discovered by a staff member who had visited her residence around 8:30 PM that evening after failing to respond to phone calls. The initial police assessment indicated no signs of foul play. The official cause of death was ruled as suicide by hanging. This determination was established through a police investigation and an autopsy conducted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency's Forensic Department. Her family stated that she had been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for some time, exacerbated by intense cyberbullying and public harassment regarding her past activities and personal choices.

While the family and police maintained the suicide ruling, some online communities initially speculated about other causes; however, these accounts were never substantiated by official medical evidence or legal findings. Her last public appearance was a promotional event for her film The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion in September 2019, shortly before her death. The Seoul Southern District Police Office conducted a thorough investigation immediately following the discovery of her body. The case was closed as a suicide without any charges filed against individuals for involvement in her death. However, the investigation led to significant legal action against those responsible for the cyberbullying that preceded her death. In the months following her passing, prosecutors indicted several internet users for defamation and causing distress. Notably, in 2020, a court sentenced two individuals to prison terms for their role in spreading malicious rumors and photos of Sulli.

These rulings marked the first time in South Korea that cyberbullies were criminally punished specifically in connection with a celebrity's suicide, setting a legal precedent. Sulli's death triggered an outpouring of grief across South Korea and internationally. Within hours of the news breaking, her name topped search engine rankings globally, and fans organized vigils outside her former agency, SM Entertainment, and at her hometown in Busan. Major K-pop peers, including members of f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, and BTS, issued heartfelt tributes on social media, sharing memories and expressing their shock. Former bandmate Krystal Jung posted a message stating, 'I will always remember you.' Institutions such as the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family condemned the culture of cyberbullying that contributed to her death, calling for stricter laws.

Streaming numbers for her music and films surged significantly in the days following her death, with her single Goblin re-entering charts worldwide. Memorial murals appeared in various districts of Seoul, particularly near her home and in Hongdae, where fans left flowers, letters, and candles. A moment of silence was observed during several major award ceremonies and variety shows in the weeks following her passing. A private funeral service was held on October 16, 2019, at the Seongsu Funeral Home in Seoul. The ceremony was attended by close family members, friends, and fellow artists, including actors Kim Soo-hyun, Park Shin-hye, and members of f(x). The service was conducted according to Buddhist rites, reflecting her personal faith. Following the service, Sulli was cremated, and her ashes were interred at a cemetery in Yangsan, Gyeongnam Province, her birthplace.

Posthumously, Sulli's estate has seen the release of her final single Goblin (which charted high) and the posthumous distribution of her acting roles, including the drama Love Alarm (where she made a cameo) and the film The Witch: Part 1. In 2020, the Sulli Foundation was established by her family to support victims of cyberbullying and promote mental health awareness, funded by proceeds from her estate and donations. Her brother, Choi Jin-ri's older sibling, has managed the estate and released occasional messages supporting her legacy and addressing legal matters concerning her digital rights.[editar]

iFANN currently estimates Sulli's estate to be worth around $5 Million as of 2026. During her career, she earned income from her music activities with f(x), acting roles, and modeling endorsements, including a partnership with Estée Lauder. After her death, her music and acting projects continue to generate revenue, though no specific estate management details have been publicly disclosed.[editar]

Sulli ganó dos premios SBS Drama Awards en 2012 por su papel en To the Beautiful You. También fue nominada en los 49th Paeksang Arts Awards por el mismo papel. [editar]