Jonghyun
The late Jonghyun (of SHINee - pronounced 'shiny') probably needs no introduction. His passing at a young age of 27 from an apparent suicide last Tuesday shocked the world, especially kpop fans.
I do not know him as a person, just from numerous footage available in various channels.
He comes across (in public, to people like me) as a cheerful person, a wonderful soul.
Yet from the news that surfaced after his death, he had been battling depression and finally he caved in. We kinda knew that kpop stars are put under a gruelling regime that they can't talk about negatively. They may have had counsellors and nutritionists and trainers on board.. and legions of fans.. yet Jonghyun had felt completely alone.
Somehow he reminded me of the late Heath Ledger (or perhaps Micheal Jackson). Quiet, unassuming, sensitive (again, this is my take from his public persona).. someone who would rather be known purely for his art and not be tossed into the limelight.
However sadly, this is the reality- once a person becomes ultra famous he/ she lets go of his/ her private life. The persona, the love life, the whole manufactured package has to be maintained. How does one hold on to who he/ she is?
My hope is that this incident will cause Korean talent companies to re-look their strategies a little. They may not (because it works very well *ka-ching) and most stars who want to succeed do play along BUT at least I hope these companies (or their appointed counsellors/ psychiatrists) would learn to recognise the symptoms and provide help before it is too late.
I do not know him as a person, just from numerous footage available in various channels.
He comes across (in public, to people like me) as a cheerful person, a wonderful soul.
Yet from the news that surfaced after his death, he had been battling depression and finally he caved in. We kinda knew that kpop stars are put under a gruelling regime that they can't talk about negatively. They may have had counsellors and nutritionists and trainers on board.. and legions of fans.. yet Jonghyun had felt completely alone.
Somehow he reminded me of the late Heath Ledger (or perhaps Micheal Jackson). Quiet, unassuming, sensitive (again, this is my take from his public persona).. someone who would rather be known purely for his art and not be tossed into the limelight.
However sadly, this is the reality- once a person becomes ultra famous he/ she lets go of his/ her private life. The persona, the love life, the whole manufactured package has to be maintained. How does one hold on to who he/ she is?
My hope is that this incident will cause Korean talent companies to re-look their strategies a little. They may not (because it works very well *ka-ching) and most stars who want to succeed do play along BUT at least I hope these companies (or their appointed counsellors/ psychiatrists) would learn to recognise the symptoms and provide help before it is too late.
posted by elya at 10:01 am
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