Kim Jonghyun, the leader of the popular Korean pop (K-pop) group "SHINee," was buried on Thursday, Dec. 21. The K-pop idol recently made the headlines worldwide after he reportedly took his own life because of depression.
Jonghyun's family, relatives, and closest friends gave their last goodbyes as the K-pop idol was buried on a sad Thursday morning. Jonghyun died at the age of 27 by apparent suicide, allegedly due to depression caused by industry pressure.
According to the South Korean K-pop news site Soompi, Jonghyun's fellow SHINee members Onew, Minho, Key, and Taemin took the role of "sang joo" or "chief mourners" during his wake, as they were his closest friends aside from being his colleagues. Other K-pop stars were also in the wake to lend their support for Jonghyun's family.
Super Junior members Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, and Dongahae carried Jonghyun's coffin from the hospital to his final resting place. Other fellow SM Entertainment acts also mourned with the family. Girl groups Girls' Generation and Red Velvet had members who were also at the funeral to say their final goodbyes to their friend and fellow artist.
Jonghyun was found unconscious by the police and fire department inside a residence he was renting in Cheongdam, Seoul on Monday, Dec. 18. Jonghyun was given cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by emergency responders at the site.
The K-pop idol was then rushed to the nearest hospital but was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead that evening. Jonghhyun sent a text to his older sister earlier that day that said, "It has been really hard. Let me go. Tell me I did well. This is my last goodbye." Jonghyun reportedly struggled with depression amidst his fame.
Authorities found burned coal inside the residence Jonghyun was renting and ruled his death as suicide. The K-pop idol may have died of suffocation from the smoke. The police, however, is still investigating the incident and has not yet confirmed the cause of death.
With Jonghyun's burial, Billboard reports that several K-Pop acts delayed their releases out of respect for the K-pop idol's death. Famous K-pop acts like EXO and TWICE put their releases on hold. EXO's "Universe" winter album will be released on Tuesday, Dec. 26. TWICE's music video, on the other hand, will be released on Friday, Dec. 22.
