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K-Pop star and actor Lee Jihan has been confirmed as one of the victims of the Seoul Halloween stampede that has killed over 150 people.

Jihan, 24, found fame on a South Korean singing competition, before successfully moving into to acting.

The two agencies representing the star – 935 Entertainment and 9Auto Entertainment – confirmed the news on Sunday.

A stampede in Itaewon, Seoul.

Posting a black square on Instagram, they wrote in their statement that they were “heartbroken to be greeted with sad news” of his death and told fans Jihan “has become a star in the sky and left us”.

Expressing their “heartfelt condolences” to his family and all those who loved him, they called him “a sweet and warm friend to all”.

They also wrote about his “bright smile” and paid tribute to his “passion for acting”, wishing him well for his “last journey”.

Jihan found fame on South Korean reality show Produce 101 back in 2017, where 101 K-pop hopefuls competed to win a place in an 11-member boy band.

Despite not being picked to be part of the final band – Wanna One – Jihan used the platform to move onto acting, starring in the South Korean high-school drama Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.

Former Produce 101 contestants Park Heeseok, Kim Do-hyun and Cho Jin Hyung also paid tribute. They wrote in a joint statement: “Ji Han has left this world and gone to a comfortable place. We ask that you say goodbye to him on his final path.”

Funerals for the victims are already underway and South Korea’s government said it will offer support for funeral expenses.

According to AllKPop, Ji Han’s funeral will be held on 1 November.

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Sky News analysed videos from social media to show how celebrations turned deadly

Read more:
How did Seoul Halloween celebration turn into a deadly crush?

Other party-goers caught up in the crush, have described the “slow and agonising” horror as the disaster unfolded, with people unable to move or breathe when a large crowd pushed down a narrow street.

One witness, Nathan Taverniti, from Sydney, Australia, described the horror of watching his friend die in a now deleted TikTok video.

Mr Taverniti said: “I was there when she said she couldn’t breathe. We were yelling… ‘You have to go back, you have to turn around’… but nobody was listening.”

He described the situation not as a stampede but as a “slow and agonising” crush. Two of his other friends were also injured.

In his video, which was viewed over nine million times, Mr Taverniti tearfully continued: “I watched as people filmed, and sang and laughed while my friends were dying, along with many other people.

“You know how many people were going to that event. Why were you not prepared?”

A person mourns at a group memorial for the victims of a stampede during a Halloween festival, at Seoul City Hall Plaza in Seoul, South Korea, October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Heo Ran

Olivia Jacovic, another witness from Australia, described her clothes being torn and her arms bruised in the crush, with people “packed like sardines” in the street.

The 27-year-old, who lives and works in Seoul, told Channel 9 news: “People just couldn’t breathe. The shorter people were just trying to look up in the air to get some sort of air.”

She said the Halloween party was located near a hill and she had heard rumours of people having “fallen down” at the bottom, leading to a “domino effect” of people tripping over one another.

Ken Fallas, a Costa Rican architect who has worked in South Korea for the last eight years, described seeing lots of young people unable to process what they had just witnessed, and laughing because they were “too scared” and didn’t know how to react to what was going on.

The 32-year-old added: “Nobody knew what was happening, people were still partying with the emergency happening in front of us.”

People react near the scene of a stampede that happened during Halloween festivities, in Seoul, South Korea, October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
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Mourners pay tribute

South Korea is now in a period of national mourning following the Halloween stampede in the party district of Itaewon, Seoul, which largely claimed the lives of young people in their teens or 20s.

The cause of the crush is currently unclear, but some local media reports suggested the crowd rushed down the narrow street after hearing an unidentified celebrity was in the area.

It’s been confirmed that at least 26 foreign nationals have been killed in the tragedy, from countries including America, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway.

Numerous K-pop music releases and events – many themed around Halloween – have been cancelled or postponed following the tragedy.

Two events with BTS member Kim Seok-jin scheduled for 30 and 31 October have been put on hold, and the 2022 Busan One Asia Festival concert featuring multiple South Korean singing stars, which had been due to take place on 30 October, has now been cancelled.

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MTV EMAs red carpet: Stars arrive in Manchester ahead of ceremony

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MTV EMAs red carpet: Stars arrive in Manchester ahead of ceremony

Music stars have hit the red carpet in Manchester for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Taylor Swift leads the nominations this year, with singers including Sabrina Carpenter, Raye, Charli XCX, Beyonce, Coldplay and Eminem also up for prizes.

It is the first time the MTV event, which was cancelled last year amid security concerns, has taken place in the UK since 2017, when it was held in London.

Manchester is well represented, with DJ Paulette, Blossoms, and Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez among the guests.

Here are the pictures as they come in from the red carpet.

Bez and Shaun Ryder attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Bez and Shaun Ryder representing Manchester at the MTV EMAs. All pics: PA/ Reuters/AP

Rita Ora and Taika Waititi attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Host Rita Ora and her husband, filmmaker Taika Waititi

Raye attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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British star Raye is up for best artist and best live act

Tyla attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Pic: Ian West/PA
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Singer Tyla is nominated for best new act, best Afrobeats, and best R’n’B


Maya Jama poses on the red carpet for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim
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TV presenter and Love Island host Maya Jama channelled Liz Hurley’s famous Versace safety pin dress

DJ Paulette attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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DJ Paulette, one of the first female DJs at Manchester’s famous Hacienda nightclub

Busta Rhymes attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Hip-hop star Busta Rhymes is being honoured with the global icon award

Tommy Villiers and Piri attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Drum and bass duo Piri (left) and Tommy Villiers

Shawn Mendes attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Siger-songwriter Shawn Mendes

Neneh Cherry poses on the red carpet for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim
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Mum and daughter Neneh Cherry (pictured) and Mabel (below) hit the red carpet together

Mabel poses on the red carpet for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim
Molly Marsh attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Love Island star Molly Marsh

Gemma Atkinson attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Radio presenter and former soap actress Gemma Atkinson

Bimini Bon-Boulash attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Drag queen Bimini Bon-Boulash

Jordan Adetunji attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Rapper and singer Jordan Adetunji

Singer Xhoana X and Gavin Rossdale, who is performing and presenting an award
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Singer Xhoana X and Bush star Gavin Rossdale, who is performing and presenting an award

poses on the red carpet for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims is nominated for best new artist and best push

Konan and Krept attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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British hip-hop duo Krept (right) and Konan

Olly Alexander attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Singer and actor Olly Alexander

Leila Ouahabi attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Spanish footballer Leila Ouahabi

Katherine Ryan attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Comedian Katherine Ryan

Tom McFarland attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Jungle’s Tom McFarland

Joe Baggs attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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TikTok star and former GoggleboxerJoe Baggs

Members of Le Sserafim pose on the red carpet for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble
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South Korean group Le Sserafim

 attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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TV personality and former The Only Way Is Essex star Vas J Morgan

Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

 poses for photographers upon arrival at the MTV European Music Awards 2024 in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
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TV presenter Vick Hope

Ysabelle Salvanera, Amelia Onuorah and Maddie Haynes of Say Now attending the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 10, 2024.
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Ysabelle Salvanera, Amelia Onuorah and Maddie Haynes of Say Now

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Jamie Oliver withdraws book that ‘offended’ First Nation Australians

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Jamie Oliver withdraws book that 'offended' First Nation Australians

Jamie Oliver has withdrawn a children’s book he wrote from sale after criticism that it stereotyped First Nation Australians.

In his book, Billy And The Epic Escape, the TV chef tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community who gets abducted by the novel’s villain.

But the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) blasted the book for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”.

The body’s chief executive, Sharon Davis, said the book “ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people” and that its depictions of First Nations people and cultural practices were “irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect”, according to The Guardian

In a statement, Oliver, 49, said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.

“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

A spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House said: “It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.”

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Chef and wife get £6.8m after cost of living show boost

The chef published his first children’s book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year and said in a social media post that he had “carefully chosen the font to make sure the text is as clear as possible” as people with dyslexia, which Oliver has, can find it hard to read.

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He is also well-known for fronting several TV series including Jamie’s Easy Christmas (2022), Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean (2023) and Jamie: Fast And Simple, which began airing on Channel 4 last month.

At the start of his career, he was known as The Naked Chef, after his 1999 book and TV series of the same name.

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Dua Lipa cancels tour date over ‘safety and logistical issues’ with stage

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Dua Lipa cancels tour date over 'safety and logistical issues' with stage

Dua Lipa has been forced to cancel a tour date in Indonesia after “unforeseen safety and logistical issues” with the stage were found, organisers said.

The New Rules singer said she was “heartbroken” over not being able to perform at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday evening.

“I am here in your amazing country and ready to perform, but I am gutted to share that it has been determined that it is not safe for the performance to carry on due to safety issues with the staging,” she wrote on X.

“I was so looking forward to this night, and it truly pains me that we cannot perform for you all, especially after such a long time since my last performance in Jakarta.

“I love you all and truly can’t wait to be back together in the same room with you singing and dancing our hearts out as soon as possible.”

In a joint statement on Lipa’s website, organisers TEM Presents and PK Entertainment said the cancellation was “due to unforeseen safety and logistical issues”.

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They said the team had made “diligent efforts to resolve critical production issues related to the stage structure provided by Mata Elang Productions” but it was “not safe for the performance to carry on”.

“This very difficult decision to cancel was made with the utmost care and consideration for the safety of both the audiences and artist,” it said, apologising to the fans affected.

2024 iHeart Radio Music Festival - Red Carpet ** STORY AVAILABLE, CONTACT SUPPLIER** Featuring: Dua Lipa Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States When: 20 Sep 2024 Credit: Judy Eddy/Cover Images  (Cover Images via AP Images)
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Pic: AP

Lipa, 29, won a Brit Award for best pop act earlier this year and has achieved two number one albums with her two latest records Future Nostalgia and Radical Optimism.

There have been two notable incidents recently of artists falling through stages.

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Moment Coldplay’s Chris Martin falls through stage

Last week, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin fell into a hole in the stage while performing in Sydney, Australia.

Olivia Rodrigo also fell last month during a gig in Melbourne, but told fans at the time: “Oh my God, that was fun. I’m OK.”

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