The funeral for Korean singer RiSe of girl group Ladies’ Code was held Tuesday in Seoul, two days after she died of injuries sustained in a motor accident last week that also claimed the life of another member.
The 23-year-old, whose real name is Kwon Ri-se took a severe blow to the head after the van she was in skidded off the road and crashed into a protective barrier early last Wednesday. Fellow group member Koh Eun-bi died shortly after the accident, while three other members suffered injuries.
“Her (RiSe’s) coffin was carried out by her family, her colleagues and other members of the group attending the funeral. We would like to show our gratitude to the fans and many others who offered their condolences during the Chuseok holidays,” said the singer’s agency Polaris Entertainment.
The three surviving members attended Kwon’s funeral along with a flock of celebrities including singer Kim Bum-soo and actors Oh Yoon-ah, Jeong-jun and Yang Dong-geun. Former contestants of TV talent show “The Great Birth,” on which Kwon first made a name for herself, also attended to bid her farewell.
According to the agency, the five-member group had been heading back to Seoul after participating in a KBS music show in Daegu at the time of the deadly accident. With police still working to determine the exact cause of the crash, the company urged the public and media to refrain from making rash speculations.
After the accident, Kwon underwent an 11-hour surgery which was cut short due to low blood pressure. She failed to regain consciousness and passed away four days later.
Ladies’ Code is best known for the song “Pretty Pretty” from its second EP. The group had a considerable following even prior to its official debut in 2013, on account of two members ― Kwon and Lee So-jung ― having participated in popular TV audition programs.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
