!Attention all human beings!
Ever since I heard about Jonghyun’s suicide yesterday, I had been in pure shock. It was like I was dreaming and the world was beginning to shift around me. He was one of my favorites in kpop. It was too real, too groundbreaking to swallow.
I led the day mourning his death, unable to focus on literally anything and everything because of how strange and horrifying this all was.
Jonghyun’s death had been trending #1 around the world yesterday and his suicide sparked so much conversation. People are beginning to talk about the stress that kpop idols have. People are beginning to talk about just how ruthless entertainment industries are. People are beginning to understand that there is a horrifying lack of understanding and care for mental health issues in both South Korea and all over the world.
I am happy that these issues are being talked about.
But I am also angry that Jonghyun had to die for people to open their eyes to them.
When will we begin to listen and care for one another without needing a tragedy, a martyr, a broken soul to show us the way?
They have all failed Jonghyun. They have failed the one million people who take their lives every year. They have failed our children, our siblings, our parents, our grandparents. They have failed our friends, our families, our countrymen, fellow citizens of the world.
A week after his death everything will go back to being the same. His death will be tragic, but society will cover and forget about everything. Mental health will become another underrated issue and we will need another martyr for people to care again.
I won’t allow for another precious life to vanish because we forgot to care again. I won’t allow for Jonghyun’s death, and everyone else who had thought that life was not worth living, to be forgotten.
No more tragedies. No more martyrs. No more broken souls.
I am asking for everyone to fight against this global epidemic. I am asking for everyone to do their very best in helping our world with this issue. Just saying ‘hi, how are you?’ or 'have a good day’ can make such a difference to people suffering. We need to show that we care and are there for people in need, that they are not alone. Please donate to charities and engage in your community. Join the conversation. Please get some help if you or anyone around you is suffering.
Do not let Jonghyun’s or anyone else’s death be in vain.