I have been out of the KPOP loop for a while. Many life issues came up and sadly something had to give. My husband was ill for a while and actually watching Dramas and listening to KPOP helped pass the many hours at the hospital. I changed jobs and at my age, I needed to give that about 110% and again…my listening habits and ESPECIALLY blogging habits came to a standstill.
I have recently found myself talking about KPOP, past concerts and my love for the culture altogether with my dear friend and fellow KPOPper Wendy. The reason that brought us back, was quite sad to say the least. Anyone reading this will know I am talking about the recent loss of a major source of happiness, smile and dancing in my head fun. When I saw the tragic death of SHINee member Jong-Hyun pop up on my FB news feed, I instantly thought of Wendy and her daughter. The hours we spent listening to their music, watching videos and LIVE concert recordings. I wanted to call her, but I didn’t want to tell her. I waited. By the time I came home from work, she had messaged me.
I think I may have purposely put a little distance between KPOP and me when I learned more and more about the groups, how young they were, how they suffer by working VERY LONG hours after signing LENGTHY contracts. They leave their families and live in dorms. As a person old enough to be a mother to some of these young stars, I concerned myself with their wellbeing and that overtook my enjoyment.
I still listen once in a while. I do still enjoy having that part of my life and memory of those fun times with my friends. The travel and crazy concert trips. The Lines, sleeping in the airport, driving hours and hours with little sleep. IT WAS AMAZING.
I’m not saying I am back, but I do feel the need to make a post in respect to Jong-Hyun. He gave everything and in the end, it was too much. I beautiful light extinguished too early. My best to his family and his SHINee family.
A portrait of Kim Jong-Hyun on a mourning altar at a hospital in Seoul on December 19, 2017. (no copyright infringement intended for a photo I found on multiple sites)
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/entertainment/k-pop-jonghyun-shinee-death-intl/index.html