Sad news today out of the music world:
Kim Jong-Hyun, the lead singer of the Korean pop band SHINee, has unexpectedly passed away.
He was 27 years old.
According to a multitude of news outlets, the artist was found unconscious in an apartment in Seoul early on Monday.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reports Jong-Hyun was discovered and then taken to a nearby hospital … where he was later pronounced dead.
“We are sorry to be the bringer of such tragic, heart-breaking news,” reads a statement from the South Korean entertainment company that represents Jong-Hyun and his fellow musicians, adding:
“On December 18th, SHINee’s Jonghyun left us very suddenly. He was discovered unconscious at a residence in Chungdam-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 SHINee members and SM Entertainment staff are all in deep mourning and shock.”
Concluded this statement of mourning:
“As per the wish of the family, the funeral will be held quietly with his relatives and company colleagues.
“Once again we show our deepest condolences to Jonghyun on his last journey.”
No cause of death has been announced, but investigators are reportedly looking into whether Jong-Hyun took his own life.
This presumption is partly based on reports that Jong-Hyun sent recent text messages to his sister that read as follows:
“Please let me go. Tell me I did well. Final farewell.”
The singer also last posted on Instagram a series of lyrics from the Dear Cloud song Beside You.
According to Koreaboo, the words below translate to:
I had a thought while curling up in a dark room alone/ When you might regret letting go of everyone. Have the sighs and the restless wounds stopped by now. I pray only that you aren’t hurting. I hope only that you will be happy.
Please don’t try to be alone in the darkness/ Don’t torture yourself/ Don’t torture you.
Jonghyun (as the name is sometimes written) captioned the picture:
“I pray you aren’t hurting.”
SHINee is a boy band that was formed in 2008 by SM Entertainment.
The group is responsible for a string of number-one hits in South Korea, while it also became quite popular in Japan.
Known for his songwriting role in the group, Jonghyun launched a solo career in 2015.
He debuted his album. “Story Op. 1,” that same year and released his follow-up, “Story Op 2,” which featured his song “Lonely,” this past April.
We send our condolences to his loved ones.
May Jonghyun rest in peace.
