26-year-old K-pop influencer Mina Chan, known online as “sweeter_nk,” died by suicide in the early morning hours of August 5 during a TikTok livestream, following an intense wave of online harassment reportedly fueled by fans of the popular boy band ENHYPEN. The young woman lived in South Korea and was well known within the K-pop online community. She maintained a popular fan account, frequently traveled to attend concerts and fan events, and had repeatedly expressed her strong support for Ni-ki, a member of ENHYPEN. In the days leading up to her death, however, the atmosphere surrounding her had shifted dramatically, as many fans began turning against her, believing she had crossed boundaries in her interactions with members of the group.
Mina Chan: The concert incident that sparked the backlash
The tension began in late July, during an ENHYPEN concert in the United States. There, Mina Chan attempted to persuade Sunoo to deliver flowers to Ni-ki. The gesture sparked a fierce reaction from a portion of the group’s fanbase, who accused her of trying to overshadow the moment and draw attention to herself during the event.
The online backlash did not stop there. On July 30, Ni-ki hosted a livestream on the Weverse platform, during which he spoke about the etiquette he believes concert attendees should follow. Without naming Mina Chan directly, the singer made dismissive remarks about fans who seek to divert the attention of band members rather than focusing on the performance. Many users linked his comments to the influencer’s incident, causing the attacks against her on social media to intensify even further.
Her public apology before her death
Before the tragic incident, the 26-year-old posted a lengthy apology on the platform X, addressed to Sunoo, Ni-ki, and their fans. In her message, she acknowledged that her frequent attendance at ENHYPEN concerts and events had created within her the illusion that she shared a closer relationship with the group’s members than actually existed.
She also expressed remorse for her behavior and issued a public apology. “I am deeply sorry for the rude behavior I displayed in America. I ruined the atmosphere by prioritizing my own desire to meet Ni-ki over the precious time that Ni-ki, who loves America so much, deserved. I am truly sorry. To everyone who has supported me as ‘sweeter_nk’ until now, thank you so very much.”
The first police report and the investigation
The first report of a suicide attempt reached authorities at 5:33 a.m. on August 5. The Seoul Police Department has taken over the investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and is reviewing all available evidence. One day later, Mina Chan’s younger sister publicly confirmed her passing through her personal Instagram account. In her post, she described her sister as a kind and warm-hearted person, and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
View this post on Instagram.
Farewell messages from the community
Following news of her death, dozens of users rushed to leave messages beneath the influencer’s final online posts, expressing their grief over her loss. “Rest in peace, Mina. You didn’t deserve this. You were a kind and lovable person with a big heart. I hope you find freedom and peace. My heart goes out to your family and friends who have had to face this loss. I will never forget you and I wish you could have lived longer to enjoy your life. I’m so sorry this happened,” wrote one user. “I hope you are happier in the next life,” commented another.
