Netflix original featuring late singer Sulli raises concerns

A Netflix original featuring late singer and actor Sulli may be released soon, and is raising concerns about the potential effect it could have on fans and other artists.

Rumors of the Netflix original series “Persona: Sulli” has been circulating online over the weekend when a short clip and related information were shared on Saturday by a Twitter account claiming to cite Netflix Brazil. The account, which has not been verified, stated that the film will be released on June 16, featuring the late girl group f(x) member.

“’Persona: Sulli’ has been produced by Mystic Story and the general discussion, including its release date, is currently ongoing,” Netflix told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Monday.

The streaming service, however, refrained from providing additional information about the series.

Critics argued that should the film be released containing never-before-seen footage of Sulli, fans may have to relive the trauma of her suicide in 2019 and possibly pose emotional issues to artists currently active in the K-pop industry.

Singer and actor Sulli, whose real name is Choi Jin-ri, debuted as a child actor in 2005, then made her singing debut in 2009 as a member of girl group f(x) under SM Entertainment. She had been at the center of many rumors and gossip until she died in 2019.

“Persona: Sulli” will be the second installment in the 2019 Netflix original series “Persona” first featuring singer, songwriter and actor IU, who went by her real name Lee Ji-eun.

IU’s “Persona,” also produced by Mystic Story, is an omnibus-structured series that includes four short films, where four directors — Lee Kyoung-mi, Yim Pil-sung, Jeon Go-woon and Kim Jong-hwan — shot four different short films with the actor, with different stories and genres.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]