The Good Job and Good Bye of Kim Jong-hyun

The recent passing of Kim Jong-Hyun on 18 December 2017, a 27-year-old lead singer of the massively popular K-pop boy band SHINee, shocked the world as much as his worldwide fans. 

Jonghyun was the best artist who loved music more than anyone and gave his all on the stage...It is heartbreaking to deliver such sad news to the fans who loved him.

His "suicide note" (unofficial English translation) can be found online, which seems to express the struggle and sufferings were beyond his limits, hence he decided to end his life. However, discussion about the "suicide note" was ongoing and one of the comments said...

As outsiders, we will never know what happened in this man's life. We only saw what he and the SM wanted us to see. At the end of the day, we didn't know Jonghyun nor his suffering. I think that is the worst part. We can be a fans but we shouldn't delude ourselves into thinking we know that person and their life.

Other than feeling of shock and sorrow, one Indonesian SHINee fan attempted suicide following the death of Jonghyun, which was a second major blow to the fan after the recent loss of some of her family members. Thankfully her attempt failed...

First of all, I wanna say thanks to God who gave me [strength] until now. And then, I wanna say thanks to all of you who [loved and cared for] me. It means a lot [to] me...I wanna get well fast.

This incident caused awareness of depression and mental health issues; everyone is encouraged to seek help immediately and talk to someone.


Personal Thoughts

I just came back from a nearby tyre workshop to check up one of my car's tyres, which was pumped with air recently but out of air for no apparent reason; I did not drive it for at least a week.

The culprit

I saw some photos of Jonghyun's funeral and surprised to see a cross, which inevitably gave the impression that he was a Christian. However, we are not to judge whether he was a Christian-in-name-only or not, instead we (particularly Christians) should be alert and care for the people around us; our family, friends, the one who serves us at the coffee shop, etc.

We ourselves have to stand firm and not give in to any kind of temptation, also to care and love others as Jesus Christ loves us. The Indonesian fan had the privilege of people caring and loving her, which gave her a second chance in life, and hopefully with a brand new perspective. Jonghyun was less fortunate than her and even many of us.

I certainly did not care my car's tyre enough, initially thinking that pumping it with air will solve the issue. Being left there for at least week due to busyness of the season, the little nail was doing its job, causing the big tyre to "slowly lose its life", ultimately its purpose.

Therefore, learning to care and love others is very important. This Christmas, a season of giving, who can you care for and talk to? Are there any "Jonghyuns" around you who need a "good job"? Are you one of the "Jonghyuns"? Talk to someone immediately; someone you trust, family members, the church, etc.

There is a time for everything; there is a time to wait, there is a time to act immediately. Jonghyun was 27 years old, I'm 27 years old this year. I'm alive because I know God cares and loves me; someone told me about it, some cared for me and loved me in action. Death does not wait to see if things are done or not done; do not reserve your "good job" to someone who does not deserve a "good bye".

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need
but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
(1 John 3:16-18)