1. Overview
Go Eun-bi (고은비Go Eun-biKorean), known by her stage name EunB (은비EunbiKorean), was a South Korean singer and dancer. Born on August 23, 1992, she was a sub-vocalist of the K-pop girl group Ladies' Code, managed by Polaris Entertainment. EunB tragically died at the age of 23 on September 3, 2014, following a fatal car accident on the Yeongdong Expressway. Her untimely death deeply impacted her fans and the music industry.
2. Early Life and Education
EunB was born Go Eun-bi. She completed her elementary education at Seoul Gadong Elementary School and her middle school education at Munjeong Middle School. She later graduated from the Entertainment Department of Hanlim Arts High School, a prominent performing arts school in South Korea known for educating many young idols. EunB was also known to be related by marriage to Kim Sung-joon, who was the news director of SBS. Prior to her debut as a singer, EunB made a brief appearance as a student in the 2009 horror film Whispering Corridors 5: A Blood Pledge.
3. Pre-Debut Career Development
EunB enrolled in the Entertainment Department of Hanlim Arts High School as part of its first class. Her initial aspiration was to become an actress. However, while taking major-specific classes at the high school, she began to develop a passion for singing and dancing, which led her to pursue a career as a singer. In 2009, she was selected as a trainee by FNC Entertainment, a prominent South Korean entertainment company. Despite her training, she ultimately did not debut under FNC Entertainment and subsequently left the agency. In a later interview, EunB revealed that she decided to leave because she felt her skills were insufficient at the time.
4. Debut and Ladies' Code Activities
EunB officially debuted as a member of the K-pop girl group Ladies' Code in 2013, embarking on a career that saw the release of several musical works and appearances on various broadcast programs.
4.1. Debut
EunB's teaser video was released on the CJ E&M YouTube channel on February 6, 2013, signaling her impending debut. Ladies' Code officially debuted on March 7, 2013, with their first extended play (EP) titled CODE#01 Bad Girl. On the same day, the group made their first music show appearance on M Countdown, marking their official entry into the K-pop industry.
4.2. Group Activities
Following their debut, Ladies' Code actively promoted their music through various releases and broadcast appearances. Their discography included several extended plays and singles.
Their EPs included:
- CODE#01 Bad Girl (2013)
- CODE#02 PRETTY PRETTY (2013)
- STRANG3R (2016)
The group also released a number of singles, such as:
- "Bad Girl" (2013)
- "Hate You" (2013)
- "Pretty Pretty" (2013)
- "So Wonderful" (2014)
- "Kiss Kiss" (2014)
- "I'm Fine Thank You" (2014)
- "Myst3ry" (2016)
- "Myst3re:" (2016)
Additionally, Ladies' Code contributed to soundtracks, including "Crazy Hook" for the drama Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit.
EunB and Ladies' Code frequently appeared on television programs to promote their music and interact with fans. Her notable broadcast appearances included:
- KBS 2TV's 1 vs 100 (May 21, 2013)
- SBS's Challenge 1000 Songs (July 7, September 1-8, 2013)
- Tooniverse's Nankam School (March 14, 2014)
- SBS F/L's Star Beauty Show (April 8, 2014)
- SBS's Star King (April 12, 2014)
5. Tragic Death
EunB's life was tragically cut short due to a severe car accident involving the Ladies' Code members.
5.1. The Accident
On September 3, 2014, at approximately 1:23 AM KST, the vehicle carrying the Ladies' Code members was involved in a fatal traffic accident. The group was traveling back to Seoul after completing a filming for KBS 1TV's Open Concert at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST). Near the Singal Interchange on the Yeongdong Expressway, the group's Grand Starex van struck a guardrail. According to Polaris Entertainment's official statement, the accident occurred on a rainy road when the vehicle's rear wheel came off, causing the van to spin several times before colliding with the guardrail. EunB, who was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time, was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly at the scene of the accident.
5.2. Aftermath and Impact
The accident had devastating consequences for Ladies' Code. Following EunB's immediate death, her funeral was held, and she was laid to rest at Skycastle Memorial Park in Gyeonggi Province on September 5.
Other members of the group also suffered severe injuries. RiSe, another member of Ladies' Code, sustained critical injuries and fell into a coma. Despite efforts to save her, RiSe remained in a comatose state and tragically passed away four days later, on September 7, at 10:10 AM at Ajou University Medical Center. Sojung, another member, also sustained serious injuries.
The manager who was driving the Grand Starex at the time of the accident was later charged and sentenced. The Suwon District Court's Criminal Department 02 sentenced the manager to 1 year and 2 months in prison for their role in the fatal accident.
6. Legacy and Remembrance
EunB's sudden and tragic death left a profound impact on her fans and the South Korean music industry. Her passing, along with that of RiSe, led to widespread mourning and an outpouring of grief from the public. Fans and fellow artists remembered her bright personality and dedication to her craft. Her legacy continues to be honored by her surviving group members and fans, who cherish her memory and the contributions she made to Ladies' Code during her brief but impactful career.
7. External Links
- [https://twitter.com/lc__eunb EunB's Twitter]