On this day last year, the Kpop world lost one of its most loved and promising musician- Kim Jonghyun. The Shinee singer and songwriter had a long and struggle filled battle against depression. He was found unconscious in a rented apartment by paramedics after his sister called the cops on receiving text messages from the singer with clear indication of possible suicide. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. This news hit the entire industry and Kpop fans like a thunderbolt but also brought to light the increasing encroachment of depression and anxiety amongst idols.
Jonghyun left behind noteworthy songs like ‘Dejá-Boo’, ‘Breath’ and ‘Pretty Boy’ other than the twelve albums that he released along with the members of Shinee under the label of SM Entertainment. He was always involved in the production of the music of the band and also wrote and produced songs for his fellow singers such as IU, Lee Hi, Taemin and many more. He had started his solo career in 2015 with the release of his first solo album called ‘She Is’ and the second album ‘Poet | Artist’ was released posthumously in 2018.
The loss of such a talent makes us deliberate on the severe topic of depression and its tumorous growth amongst the idols we love and support so much. Depression is a condition where the person feels emotional burdened or down. Millions across the world are suffering from this condition which is the result of the stressful and demanding functioning of today’s society.
Idol group members have to go through strenuous physical regime and diet pre and post debut. This physical stress and psychological pressure could result in a vocal outburst or a depressive outburst. Here are nine other idols that opened up about suffering from psychological illness such as depression and anxiety.
1. G-Dragon (Big Bang)
G-dragon’s career is a national and international hit, bringing Kpop to the rest of the world. He is the lead rapper and songwriter of 'Big Bang' under YG Entertainment. His onscreen and onstage personality reflects a playful and sweet idol but GD has admitted to suffering from depression for a long time after allegations of plagiarism rose on his solo album ‘Heartbreaker’.
2. Heechul (Super Junior)
We see Heechul laughing and pulling legs of the guests at Knowing Brothers show. But the singer had confessed to feeling depressed after Hankyung left Super Junior. Heechul missed out on all promotional activities for the next three months due to his depressive state. He was believed to be closest to Hankyung.
3. Suzy (Miss A)
Suzy opened up about depression on a live show, stating that she had to silently bear through depression as she could not speak out about it to anyone else. The sweet and cute Suzy renown for her singing and acting career had such a personal struggle too.
4. Baro (B14A)
Baro starred in Reply 1992 and grew so fond of the cast that after the filming was done and the cast had parted ways, he would feel melancholic and depressed without meeting them regularly.
5. Jinwoon (2AM)
In an interview for ‘Law of the Jungle’ aired by SBS, Jinwoon confessed that he felt extremely depressed and unmotivated after the group’s US tour in 2016. He spent a whole month without getting any sleep after coming back.
6. Taeyeon (Girl Generation)
The singer’s band members have often spoken about the singer’s quick change in mood and her exceeding interest in sad songs. The singer has accepted the fact that she indeed suffered from depression and found her escape through getting multiple piercing.
7. T.O.P (Big Bang)
The Big Bang rapper was seen frequently visiting the hospital in 2008. He suffered from anxiety and depression. The fans felt that it was due to overwork.
8. Lizzy (After School)
Stress caused due to rising rumours on her position in the running man show led Lizzy from After School girl group to face depression. It’s easy to crop up a rumour but we need to understand that people’s lives get affected by it.
9. Suga (BTS)
The BTS rapper has admitted to suffering from social anxiety and depression. His song lyrics often spoke of this internal strife. In a radio interview in 2014, the rapper cum producer mentioned that he had to work extensively to lose weight pre-debut and suffered through depression due to the body standards set by the industry. His solo mixtape ‘Agust D’ also has lyrics that connoted his war with depression.
There is no question that today’s society is a hard place to survive. These idols go through so much hardship to make a mark in the industry, if we can’t support them, then don’t blame them either. It’s good to have expectations from our favourite band or our bias but we should also remember that they are human too and that they have their limits to just like us. Let’s make sure that there is never another Jonghyun.
As for us regular people, we need to stop setting the standards that are beyond reality. Instead, we should learn to appreciate what we have and love ourselves with our flaw. Because even the most beautiful person has flaws, maybe not visible ones. Above all, STOP judging others and STOP judging yourself by other’s standards. We are all different and our uniqueness makes us who we are. Let’s not lose anyone around us to depression.
“Please don’t forget about Jonghyun hyung until the end and forever…” – Minho, Shinee
#NeverAnotherJonghyun
(I thoroughly enjoy Jonghyun’s songs, here are some of them I always have on my playlist- Breath (Written for Lee Hi), End of the day, Shinin’, Y Si Fuera Ella (cover of Alejandro Sanz), Playboy (written for EXO), Diphylleia Grayi and Cocktail)
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