Recently, online media outlets like Star News, BNT News, Hankyung, TV Report, and others came together for a suicide prevention campaign called "A Beautiful Korea Living Together".
The campaign aims to fill Korean society with love and hope and has brought together the support of top stars to speak on the issue in hopes of bringing more attention to it. JYJ's Jaejoong recently sat down for an interview discussing his thoughts on suicide. Check it out below!
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Q. "Did you ever think about suicide?"
"I felt sad and upset for the people that had to leave this world in such a manner. Suicide is something that hurts so many people and I think that it just shouldn't ever happen."
Q. "You went through a lot of hardships yourself. What was the most painful for you, and how did you overcome it?"
"Every person feels loneliness and is met with a hardship that's hard to endure. While living life, there are, of course, weights that you feel are only weighing down on you. It's not a matter of how good or bad the environment you're living in is, but rather a sort of misery that every person experiences while living life. IN that regards, I, too, have experienced much sadness and loneliness, and the way I overcame those feelings was to love the world I'm living in and think preciously of my work, my loving members, and my family. I also earn strength from my fans. I plan on thanking every day I live for in the future as well."
Q. "How do you feel hearing about fellow celebrities committing suicide?"
"It was just shocking and an unbelievable reality. I was upset."
Q. "Do you know any celebrities that are going through depression?"
"I don't know. They say that depression isn't something shown on the outside, as people that are depressed as usually bright on the outside and feel depressed when they're alone. Instead of people that say outright, 'I'm lonely', I think it's more important to care for those that are trying harder than normal to look positive. And as the oldest hyung, I think more than anything, I should be responsible for the psychological health of my members more so than other celebrities."
Q. "If you were to ever have a fan that was thinking of suicide, what would you say?"
"I believe that our fans won't think of suicide because I feel that if they listen to our songs, they'll feel too happy and that their depression will disappear. In our recent album release, there are two songs titled 'A Boy's Letter' and 'You're'. They're both songs written for our fans so we hope that they'll listen to them when they're feeling depressed or lonely and hopefully feel consoled. We're together inside of our music. Please also think of the precious people in your lives and be happy for even the smallest of things. With such a mindset, I'm sure that you'll feel more affectionate towards your life. The beautiful sky, your mother's delicious food, and your pet's cute aegyo are all wonderful things in life."
Q. "What do you think society needs to do in order to prevent suicide?"
"I think as we go on in our society, people feel more alone than ever. They begin to box themselves up and are afraid of other people coming in their zone. The world keeps making people depend on only themselves and promotes competition amongst one another, but people think that's what success is so they follow it while losing their freedom and deepening their depression. I hope that we'll change the atmosphere so that we can prevent such a society."
Q. "Do you have anything to say to those that are suffering to the point of thinking about suicide?"
"Think of hope the minute you feel miserable with your life. Take up the habit of finding joy in the smallest of things in life. The misery you feel now will be a strong foundation for your future and you will become someone with an invaluable life. Also, hold the hand of the person next to you. Don't think that you're the only one living in this world. Don't grow your sorrow on your own and ask for help from the person next to you."
Source + Photos: TV Report via Naver, ELLE
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