Kang Min-hyuk of CNBLUE mourns the passing of longtime pet cat

Kang Min-hyuk, a member of the band CNBLUE, announced the passing of his beloved pet cat, Chichi, on August 9. Kang shared the news via social media, expressing profound grief over the loss of a companion that had been by his side for approximately 11 years.

According to reports, Chichi’s health had been declining since late June, experiencing loss of appetite and weight loss. Following medical examinations, the cat was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma. Kang ultimately chose to stop aggressive treatment to allow Chichi to spend its final days comfortably at home.

The incident has drawn attention to ‘Pet Loss Syndrome,’ a condition where owners experience intense grief, guilt, or physical symptoms following the death of a pet. Medical experts note that because pets are often viewed as family members, the resulting emotional distress is significant and may require professional psychological support if symptoms persist for more than six months.