Isolated sisters' K-pop fantasy ends in tragedy

Three sisters, aged 16, 14, and 12, died by suicide on Wednesday, having lived a childhood marked by profound isolation. Their escape from reality was found in K-pop and Korean dramas, with the eldest sibling studying in Class 4 and the younger two not attending school for years.

Investigators discovered writings on the girls' room walls expressing deep loneliness and a desire for escape. Their obsession with South Korea became an emotional refuge, leading them to adopt names from TV shows and distance themselves from their parents. Parental disapproval of this fixation reportedly deepened the rift between them.

A diary recovered from the room detailed 19 points of parental objection, including their love for Korean content and other international media. The diary expressed that Korean actors and K-pop groups were their life, loved more than family members.

The diary also highlighted resentment towards their youngest sister, Devu, and mentioned disturbing references to physical punishment. Cryptic notes also touched upon marriage, indicating tension despite their young ages. The 14-year-old is suspected of writing the diary, which is undergoing forensic examination.

Beneath the fantasy world lay a household under severe strain. Their father, a stock trader, is believed to have faced significant financial losses during Covid, potentially leading to the girls leaving school. Marital turmoil, with two partners leaving and returning in May 2025, also contributed to the domestic stress.