31-03-2025
K-Pop Stars To Honor The Late Moonbin With Song: SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids and More
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 26: Moon Bin, Cha Eun-Woo, MJ of Astro attend 27th Dream Concert at Seoul ... More World Cup Stadium on June 26, 2021 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
In a moving tribute that underscores the deep bonds forged within the K-pop community, a constellation of beloved stars is set to release a commemorative song in honor of the late Moonbin.
The project, slated for release on April 19, 2025, marks the second anniversary of the star's untimely passing to serve as both a celebration of his life and a heartfelt letter for his closest friends to, potentially, find some closure.
Moonbin, who first captured fans' hearts as a member of ASTRO and later through endeavors in acting, modeling, and hosting, remains an enduring symbol of a talent lost too soon in the K-pop industry. His journey began as a child actor, with notable early appearances, including the Boys Over Flowers series in 2009. After his official debut with his boy band ASTRO in February 2016, Moonbin showed the world his acting skills (like as a supporting character in the 2019 Korean drama At Eighteen alongside fellow K-pop boy band member Ong Seongwu of Wanna One), modeling (including for Korean fashion line Nerdy Cafe), and hosting (his stint as an MC on the weekly K-pop show Show Champion lasted from 2020 to 2022) all highlighted a career that was as dynamic as it was promising.
While the industry and fans reflect on his life and legacy, Moonbin's closest colleagues and friends will unite to create a musical tribute.
According to the Korean entertainment blog Dispatch, the four remaining ASTRO members — Cha Eunwoo, MJ, JinJin, and Sanha — are all participating, as is Moon Sua from the girl group Billlie, Moon Bin's sister, who had to face the loss of her brother in the public eye and ultimately took an extended hiatus from the spotlight.
GOYANG, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 25: Moonbin, Sanha of Astro during MBC music program 'Show Champion' at ... More MBC Dream Center on May 25, 2022 in Goyang, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 19: Yoon San-Ha, MJ, Moonbin, Cha Eun-Woo of Astro attend 26th High1 ... More Seoul Music Awards at Jamsil Arena on January 19, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
Beyond his immediate family and circle at ASTRO, the tribute song will also reportedly include a sizable roster of stars all looking to pay their respects.
According to Dispatch, SEVENTEEN members Seungkwan, DK, Hoshi, Wonwoo and Mingyu, all three members of girl group VIVIZ, Monsta X's I.M, Kihyun and Minhyuk, SF9's Chani, Stray Kids' Bang Chan, singer-songwriter-rapper Ungjae (professionally known today as Hello Gloom), as well as Choi Yoojung and Kim Doyeon (both former members of the girl group Weki Meki under ASTRO's agency Fantagio) will all participate.
Fantagio confirmed the collaborative endeavor with a brief statement: 'Moonbin's friends will be coming together to release a new song in April. This song will be structured as a letter from his friends to Moonbin, and we will share more details about the participating artists and the song soon.'
The tribute song comes exactly two years after Moonbin's tragic passing on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, when a manager found the 25-year-old star dead at his Gangnam apartment. The loss sent shockwaves throughout the industry that, once again, seemed to miss the warning signs of an artist in crisis. The inaugural We Bridge Music Festival & Expo occurred the following weekend in Las Vegas with VIVIZ and Monsta X as part of the lineup. The fest held a moment of silence in his honor.
In the wake of Moonbin's passing, fellow artists, label mates, and industry professionals painted a picture of a vibrant artist whose signature, luminous smile, and forward-looking spirit left a mark on all those he encountered.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 21: Yuri Park asks the audience for a moment of silence in memorial of ... More Moon Bin during the We Bridge Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by)
