SHINee’s main vocalist Jonghyun, also known as Kim Jong-Hyun, passed away Monday, December 18 at the age of 27. Kim was the lead singer of S.M. Entertainment’s five member band SHINee with Lee Tae-min, Choi Min-ho, Onew, and Key. Police found Jonghyun unconscious in an apartment in Seoul Monday night.
According to The Korean Herald, police have received a telephone called from his sister at 4:42 p.m. (KST). She believed that he may have attempted suicide. Kim reportedly sent a number of text messages to his sister with words such as “last goodbye.” Police found Kim with burning coal on a frying pan. Jonghyun was pronounced dead when he was taken to a nearby hospital.
Jonghyn’s record label, S.M. Entertainment released a statement which says, “This is SM Entertainment. We are sorry to be the bearer of such tragic, heartbreaking news. 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. Jonghyun loved music more than anybody else and he was an artist who did everything to perform his absolute best on stage.”
Many celebrities have reacted to the news over Twitter. Korean-American rapper, Dumbfoundead, tweeted, “R.I.P. Jonghyun of SHINee i go to Korea often and depression is a topic not often discussed, therapy is almost taboo cause of the country’s “just get over it” attitude. Hope this a wake-up call to the whole industry over there.”
Senior digital editor, Jeff Benjamin of Fuse TV wrote, “Heartbreaking news coming from South Korea today that Jonghyun has passed away. The 27-year-old was a member of K-pop act SHINee and a successful solo artist. He was a true talent and creative, and will be dearly missed. I’m still having trouble taking in the news. Rest In Peace.”
Jonghyun recently held solo concerts at South Korea’s Olympic Handball Stadium at Seoul Olympic Park on Dec. 9-10.
If you know anyone suffering from the effects of mental illness such as yourself or friends, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if you live in North America. If you live in South Korea go to this website.
