The late K-pop idol Moonbin would have turned 26 on Jan. 26 and to mark the occasion, his fellow boy band ASTRO members paid tribute to him.
Moonbin, 25, was found dead at his home on April 19, 2023, shocking the entertainment industry especially his friends and colleagues. Moonbin was the brother of Moon Sua of the K-pop girl group Billlie. Moonbin and fellow ASTRO member Sanha held their “Diffusion” fan concert in Manila on March 25 last year.
ASTRO member Moonbin (Instagram)
ASTRO members Moonbin (left) and Cha Eun-woo (Instagram)
ASTRO members Moonbin (left) and Sanha (Instagram)
ASTRO member Moonbin with sister Moon Sua (Instagram)
To honor Moonbin, ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo uploaded a cover of American DJ duo Slander’s “Love is Gone” on Jan. 26 on his YouTube channel.
Cha Eun-woo’s cover has garnered 1.2 million views as of this writing and is No. 26 Trending on music on YouTube.
Slander commended Cha Eun-woo’s cover.
“This Love Is Gone cover by @CHAEUNWOO_offcl for his bandmate who passed away is so moving,” Slander posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Along with the cover, Cha Eun-woo, star of the dramas “True Beauty,” “Island” and “Gangnam Beauty,” wrote a letter to Moonbin.
“Bin, how are you? What are you doing? I want to wish you a happy birthday like always... You must be watching it somewhere, right?? Happy birthday my friend,” Cha Eun-woo posted on YouTube.
He added, “Every time I think of you, I work harder. Every time I miss you, even though it's hard, I prepare with all my heart. Get ready for the drama and album!! Be sure to watch it when it comes out.”
“This song is something I listen to and feel comforted when I think of you. I heard it by chance and you just came to mind. No matter what song you listen to while walking down the street, do you know that your story, my story, and our story are the same??” he said.
Cha Eun-woo added, “I always miss you, thank you, and love you, my friend Bin.”
ASTRO member Sanha also paid tribute to Moonbin by uploading a cover of Korean band Jaurim’s song “Twenty Five, Twenty One.” Sanha changed the title to “Twenty Six, Twenty Four” to refer to Moonbin’s age and his age this year.