The global music industry is reeling from the sudden death of SHINee singer and K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun, who was pronounced dead at the age of 27 Monday (December 18).

Hours after news broke about the singer, songwriter, dancer and producer's passing, the artist's South Korean label, SM Entertainment, released an official statement.

"We are sorry to be the bearer of such tragic, heartbreaking news," reads the letter, translated from Korean per the Metro. "On December 18th, SHINee’s Jonghyun left us very suddenly. He was discovered unconscious at a residence in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul and was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead."

"Our sadness cannot compare to the pain of his family, who had to say goodbye to a son and a brother, but we have spent a long time with him, and the SHINee members along with the SM Entertainment staff are all in deep mourning and shock," the letter continues. "Jonghyun loved music more than anybody else and he was an artist who did everything to perform his absolute best on stage."

SM Entertainment says that a private funeral will be held for Kim's family, friends and work colleagues.

Meanwhile, SHINee fans and beyond are sharing their condolences all across social media.

"I hope ppl [sic] will remember Jonghyun as the 'man who is passionate in music, wonderful, thoughtful and loving' [and] not a 'man who passed away and committed suicide,'" one user tweeted, while another lamented, "There are not enough tears, there are not enough words, to describe the sorrow I hold in my heart today."

Below, see more reactions from members of the Shawol (SHINee fan club) community:

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