YG Trainee Hanbyeol Dies at Age 19 in 2024

Hanbyeol, a contestant on *K-Pop Star 6* and former trainee of YG Entertainment, died at the age of 19 in 2024. Media outlets reported the news on the evening of April 25, triggering a wave of condolence messages from fans online. The delayed disclosure of his death has intensified the shock among supporters.

Hanbyeol gained attention from viewers in 2017 by appearing on SBS’s *K-Pop Star 6: The Last Chance*, where his bright personality and energetic stage presence stood out. His cover version of Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” is particularly remembered as a standout performance.

After participating in *K-Pop Star 6*, Hanbyeol joined YG Entertainment as a trainee. He had been training at the company since the age of 12 and remained an active trainee there until around mid-2020.

Hanbyeol left YG Entertainment because he failed to make his debut. In an interview with Mnet, he revealed his feelings at the time, saying, “During training, I kept asking myself what I was doing here. Then I realized that I held no value in their eyes.”

In October 2020, Hanbyeol appeared as a contestant on the youth-oriented reality competition program *CAP-TEEN*, demonstrating that he continued to pursue his passion for performing even after leaving YG Entertainment.

Hanbyeol’s name was also mentioned during discussions about BABYMONSTER’s provisional lineup. Fans speculated that he might be included in the group. Although he never made his debut, he remained a well-known figure within fan communities prior to his official release.

As news of Hanbyeol’s death spread across online platforms recently, fans have been leaving messages of tribute. They expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden passing of this young artist who had been striving toward his dreams. Messages believed to be from Hanbyeol’s family have also been shared online.