Why are K-pop stars susceptible to depression?

For decades, K-pop stars have been the envy of teenagers here due to the seemingly glamorous and lucrative lifestyle show business has to offer. But a note written by the main vocalist of SHINee, who took his life Monday, showed the depth of their struggles and lives in the public eye, shedding a critical spotlight on the multibillion-won industry where some artists are crushed under depression. In his letter, Jonghyun wrote, “I’m broken from the inside. The depression that has slowly eaten away

Dec. 20, 2017

K-pop stars withdraw from activities after death of Jonghyun

K-pop stars delayed, downscaled and even canceled promotional activities in the wake of the unexpected death of SHINee lead singer Jonghyun. EXO, signed under the same label as SHINee, announced Tuesday it would postpone the release of its winter album “Universe” to Dec. 26 from the originally slated Thursday. Twice also delayed the release of the music video for “Merry & Happy” from Thursday to Friday, it announced via Twitter on Tuesday. Kim’s burial service is to be held Thursday. Seventeen c

Dec. 20, 2017

Trading personal life for fame

The note left behind by late singer Jonghyun showed that the main vocalist of SHINee suffered severe depression.Following the initial shock, calls to revamp the competitive, controlled and stressful ecosystem of idol singers are resonating in the K-pop scene.“Once (our agency) took our phone, so we used a prepaid phone. We also snuck out of our living quarters when we weren’t supposed to. We made the shape of a person on the bed. But we had nowhere else to go, so we just talked for hours at a ca

Dec. 20, 2017

Hyolyn sings soundtrack for ‘Black Knight’

Hyolyn, a former member of now defunct girl group Sistar, sang “Spring Watch,” which was featured in the soundtrack of KBS’ fantasy romance drama “Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me.” The latest addition to the soundtrack is set to be released Wednesday at 6 p.m. on online music streaming platforms such as Melon and Naver Music.  The cover of Hyolyn’s “Spring Watch” (Leon Korea)It is the first song released by the singer since she founded her own label “Brid3” in November after leaving her form

Dec. 20, 2017

EXO postpones winter album amid passing of singer Kim Jong-hyun

K-pop group EXO has delayed the release of its winter album "Universe" in light of the tragic passing of SHINee lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, the group announced Tuesday.EXO announced on its official Web site that the release of "Universe" will be delayed to Dec. 26. The album was originally slated to come out on Thursday. (S.M. Entertainment)S.M. Entertainment appears to have postponed the release amid the death of Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun. EXO and SHINee are both signed to S.M

Dec. 20, 2017

SHINee's Jonghyun joins the ill-fated '27 Club'

PARIS (AFP) - With his suicide, Kim Jong-Hyun, lead singer of South Korean boyband SHINee, joins an ill-fated group of famous rock stars who passed away at 27 -- the so-called "27 Club".He was found on Monday in a hotel room in the South Korean capital Seoul in what police said was suicide.  (Yonhap)Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones, guitarist Jimi Hendrix, singer Janis Joplin, The Doors singer Jim Morrison, Nirvana singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, and British soul singer Amy Winehouse

Dec. 20, 2017

[Video] Jonghyun’s death sends shock waves through K-pop scene

The death of Jonghyun, the talented main vocalist of SHINee, sent shock waves among fans and peers that resonated throughout the country and the K-pop scene. Jonghyun, whose real name was Kim Jong-hyun, was found in a rented studio apartment in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul at 6:10 p.m., Monday. The 27-year-old singer had suffered a cardiac arrest upon discovery and was taken to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead after attempts to revive him failed.Police confirmed Tuesday that his deat

Dec. 19, 2017

K-pop act SHINee mourns loss of singer Kim Jong-hyun

K-pop group SHINee on Tuesday mourned the death of lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, who reportedly took his own life, on social media. Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun, died in southern Seoul on Monday. He was rushed to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead. The singer left behind a painful note describing his harrowing fight against depression."Jonghyun is the best artist who loves music, enjoys the stage and cherishes communicating with fans through music,

Dec. 19, 2017

The full text of Jonghyun's death note

Dear Cloud's vocalist Nine9 revealed the late Jonghyun’s painful suicide note on his Instagram on Tuesday.Following is the unofficial English translation of Jonghyun‘s suicide note in Korean. (Yonhap/Nine9`s Instagram)---------------------------------------------------I was broken from the inside.The depression slowly chipped me away, finally devouring me. I could not beat the negativity. I hated myself. Even though I tried so hard demanding my memories that kept getting cut off to ‘wake up,’ al

Dec. 19, 2017

SHINee member's death ruled suicide, no autopsy

The body of the late K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun will not undergo an autopsy, Seoul police said Tuesday, as the singer‘s cause of death is clear.“We’ve decided not to autopsy the body, as it is certain that the deceased had taken his own life and the bereaved families did not want it,” said an official from Seoul Gangnam Police Tuesday morning. “We will wrap up the investigation as soon as we‘ve finished talking to the family.”Kim Jong-hyun(Yonhap)Kim, a member of boy band SHINee, was found in a st

Dec. 19, 2017

[Profile] Jonghyun, beloved main vocalist for SHINee

Jonghyun’s untimely death came just a week after he wrapped up his solo concerts, a testament to his successful career that extended beyond the boy band SHINee.  (Yonhap)Born on April 8, 1990, the singer was picked up by talent scouts of S.M. Entertainment in 2005 during a singing contest. After three years of training at the talent agency, he debuted in 2008 as a member of the five-piece boy band SHINee with the EP “Replay.”Jonghyun stood out as the main vocalist of the group, captivating fans

Dec. 18, 2017

Taeyang, Min Hyo-rin to marry

Taeyang of Big Bang will marry actress Min Hyo-rin early next year. YG Entertainment, which represents the singer, confirmed that the two would wed around February next year before Taeyang’s enlistment.　Taeyang is expected to join the military in the first half of next year.  (YG Entertainment/ Yonhap)The two confirmed they were dating in May 2015.Min, 29, appeared in Taeyang’s solo music video for “1AM” in June 2014. The music video, which includes passionate kiss scenes, is based on a storylin

Dec. 18, 2017

Lee Juck to release album in Japan

Singer-songwriter Lee Juck will release an album in Japan on March 14, Lee‘s agency Music Farm announced Monday.　The album is to comprise his past hits. 　“Lee Juck will be foraying into the Japanese market,” said Music Farm. “His Japanese label Pony Canyon has launched his official website.”　Lee, 43, debuted in 1995 and is a folk-rock and acoustic pop singer with numerous hits, including “Run Across the Sky” (2003), “I Didn’t Know That Time” (2003) and “Lie Lie Lie” (2013). 　Lee Juck (Music Farm

Dec. 18, 2017

Super Junior wraps up ‘Super Show 7’ in Seoul

Super Junior wowed fans at “Super Show 7” held at Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul from Friday to Sunday.At the concerts, the group performed some of its hit tracks, such as “Sorry, Sorry,” “Boanamana” and “Mr. Simple,” as well as tracks from its latest album “Play” including the lead track “Black Suit,” “Scene Stealer,” “Too late,” “Runaway and “The Lucky Ones.”  Super Junior performs during the “Super Show 7” concert at Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul on Sunday. (SJ Label)Four of the group’s members -- Kan

Dec. 18, 2017

27 years on, balladeer Shin Seung-hun says ‘life is Polaroid’

The end of the year is the perfect time to wallow in nostalgia, but walking down memory lane may not always be joyful; after all, the word “nostalgia” is said to come from “the pain from an old wound” in Greek. And with his silky voice, veteran singer-songwriter Shin Seung-hun, still reigning supreme after 27 years, told those attending his year-end concert Sunday that it is okay to embrace those past pains. Singing a verse from his first-ever digital single “Polaroid,” Shin said life, no matter

Dec. 18, 2017

BTS' agency considers IPO

The South Korean mastermind behind K-pop band BTS, which was tweeted about more than any celebrity in the world this year, is considering an initial public offering as the $5 billion industry that unleashed Psy’s “Gangnam Style” climbs the charts in the US and China.Big Hit Entertainment has talked with its shareholders -- which included Legend Holdings Corp.’s venture-capital arm and LB Investment -- about an IPO, Bang Si-hyuk, the company’s chief executive officer and founder, said during an i

Dec. 18, 2017

Rapper Kush nabbed buying cocaine　

Another drug-related incident involving an artist from YG Entertainment has the public demanding that the K-pop agency assume more responsibility for its performers.On Friday, Seoul Bangbae Police Station said YG Entertainment’s rapper Kush, who also works under YG’s independent label The Black Label as its producer, was booked without detention for purchasing and using cocaine. According to police, Kush, whose real name is Kim Byung-hoon, 33, was nabbed in an undercover operation on Tuesday at

Dec. 17, 2017

BTS’ ‘DNA’ music video surpasses 200 million views

Trailblazing K-pop boy band BTS has set yet another record in K-pop history. 　The music video for the group’s song “DNA” has surpassed 200 million views on YouTube in three months since its Sept. 18 release. 　It is the quickest a K-pop music video has surpassed 200 million views.　BTS now has under its belt four videos that have surpassed the 200 million mark, including those for “Fire,” “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and “Dope.”　 BTS stars in the music video of “DNA.” (Big Hit Entertainment-YouTube)Seve

Dec. 17, 2017

BTS’ ‘DNA’ enters Billboard’s 100 Best Songs of 2017

Continuing its domination of the Billboard charts, BTS’ recent single “DNA” has landed on the US magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. According to Billboard Wednesday, the smash hit from its latest album “Love Yourself Seung Her” was ranked No. 49 on the chart, making the seven-piece boy band the only K-pop act on this year’s list.   BTS‘ “DNA” lands No. 49 on Billboard’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. (Billboard)“BTS’ crossover into the US market isn’t a coincidence: The K-pop superstars hav

Dec. 14, 2017

Lee Seung-gi to return in ‘All the Butlers’

Singer-turned-actor Lee Seung-gi, who recently completed his compulsory military service, will star in upcoming SBS variety show “All the Butlers.” According to the network, Lee will be a regular guest on the new show, which will be his first variety show since he was discharged in late October. “All the Butlers” will feature male celebrities spending a night at the homes of famous figures to learn about their lifestyles and achievements. Other regular guests of the show include Lee Sang-yoon, Y

Dec. 14, 2017