YoonohNCT

May today’s news serve as another reminder (or new lesson) that at the end of the day, idols are just people - people we don’t know anything about. This is the second time someone from one of my ult groups has been involved in something like this. It’s no longer shocking, but will always be disappointing. I’ve followed NCT from the first SM Rookies announcement in 2013. This hurts.

To anyone defending Taeil, SM dropping him before this went public speaks volumes. I hope the victim(s) are safe, healing and receive the justice they deserve.

To any fans who biased Taeil and/or are experiencing this kind of realization for the first time, I’m sorry and I promise that with a bit of time, you will be able to enjoy NCT again.

NCT 127 (w/ Mark and Haechan)

NCT Dream

Kun:

Ten:

WinWin:

Xiaojun:

Hendery:

YangYang:

NCT 127 (w/ Mark and Haechan)

WayV

Renjun:

Jeno:

Jaemin:

Chenle:

Jisung:

NCT Dream

WayV

Taeil:

Johnny:

Taeyong:

Yuta:

Doyoung:

Jaehyun:

Jungwoo:

Mark:

Haechan:

I posted yesterday about Moonbin’s passing, and included Jonghyun, Sulli and Hara in my post because the point I was trying to make is how the Kpop industry is dark and how the things people say online and off can have devastating effects for people, especially idols.

When a tragedy like this happens, it’s normal to reflect on other times we’ve bore witness to something like this happening, and have feelings resurface. I have lost so many loved ones - both idols and relatives - over the last 6 years. It has fundamentally changed me. Things eventually get easier, but you never truly move on from losing someone you care about, whether you know them personally or not.

Most people understood this, but I received a comment from someone who was upset that I mentioned the other idols in a post about Moonbin. They called me disrespectful and accused me of reducing them all to their death - that was not my intention. These are people I had been a fan of since 2011, who had brought me so much joy at times when I myself had thoughts about sealing my fate in the same way they did. What happened to Moonbin brought it all back.

I completely understand the commenter wanting me to honour Moonbin, but by including the other idols, I was not implying his passing is any less meaningful -- I was exemplifying that too many beautiful people have been taken from us in the worst way, but that I find the slightest bit of comfort in knowing they can now rest together.

The Kpop industry is so much darker than people realize. You never know what someone is going through, so treat everyone with kindness online and off.