SHINee′s Jonghyun Cries in Frustration Over the Public′s Engraved Idea of His Image

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

Regarding the imprinted image of himself to the public, SHINee′s Jonghyun teared up, frustrated with it.

On January 13, the first broadcast of Mnet′s 4gaji Show season 2 aired with Jonghyun sharing, "I don′t think I had many opportunities to say everything about myself. Even though I say this, they (the public) want me to show myself in the way they imagine me."

Tearing up, Jonghyun added, "Regarding that, I wanted to show the frustration and my real self."

"Even so, the image that comes out on TV is my image, and the image that′s seems like it′s not really me is also my image," said Jonghyun. "Everyone believes they′re pessimistic. I am also pessimistic."

Jonghyun appeared as the first soloist of 2015 from SM Entertainment with his first mini album BASE on January 12. His title song Crazy(Guilty Pleasure) as well as the other tracks on the album have stolen the hearts of fans in and outside of Korea.

Jonghyun participated in the creation of all the trackson the album, showing his colors as a singer songwriter, as he did with SHINee′s hit songs Juliett, Spoiler, and more, as well as IU′s Gloomy Clock.

Jonghyun began solo promotions on January 9 through KBS′ Music Bank.

Meanwhile, 4gaji Show is a program in which a star and the star′s acquaintances show the star′s true self through a series of interviews. The show has captured the sincerity of the stars as a human being and not a celebrity.
source: mwave

Comments

[adlyeith.livejournal.com]

:/ This boy.

[torontok.livejournal.com]

I am...slightly confused as to what is bothering him

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

i think the public has one image of him and he wanted to show him the "real him" but the "real him" the public seems to be interested in seeing is yet another fabricated public image. as in there doesnt seem to be an interest for them to see how he ACTUALLY is.

i can see how that can be super frustrating and discouraging.

[ironicmustache.livejournal.com]

i dont get when idols (and pop celebs) complain about this ... like you knew what you were signing up for. it's not like you're the first one and had no idea what would happen in the future. you job is to literally present an image to the public?

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

+10000000
sometimes it's better for them not to show their "true" selves... considering for example how many k-actors go for the "mysterious" image

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

"Even so, the image that comes out on TV is my image, and the image that′s seems like it′s not really me is also my image,"
I think I know what he means. People usually think that when you act in some specific way (that is different to your usual self), "your acting" is not real. But for me, that is in some way, a part of your personality and what it makes you the way you are.
In one class in college we talk about how our identity is more influenced by how other people see us that how we see ourselves, in fact the last one doesn't exist, you can't know how you are. So for me there is not a perfect formed personality, but something that it grows and changes depending on the context.
I would like to express myself better but my english is very limited (when I write on omona I feel like a 5 years old LOL).

tl;dr / no one cares

[stereotastic.livejournal.com]

i totally agree with you? like we may never experience who we are from another person's perspective.

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

Even though I say this, they (the public) want me to show myself in the way they imagine me
Yeah, it's obvious that the public expect that idols are always perfect smiling robots and never show certain emotions like anger, frustration, dissapointment, etc...It's like they just want idols to stick to that perfect politically correct image and never show what it bothers them because people don't care for them as real people and just as entertainers . For example, I saw that netizens were criticizing him yesterday for saying that the CD market was dying down, which it's totally true, but that's not what an idol is supposed to say since idols depends a lot on fandom/physical sales. If you're an idol you're only allowed to say and act like an idol is supposed to do, and not as a real person with emotions, so I can see where he's coming from. I prefer idols being genuine than selling a fake ass fabricated imagine. I like to know if the person I'm stanning is truly worthy tbh.

[e-bone (from livejournal.com)]

Huh. I guess I was expecting to see a bit more empathy for a person who's entire character is based on the 20 minutes or so they are featured on variety shows and whatnot. Sure it's "part of the job" but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt when people call you a fake/tryhard every time you take a breath (and it's not as though the self proclaimed fans are overall rational/understanding either).

I think some of these kids are in it to pursue their creative endeavors and while they may be familiar with all the bullshit performative expectations that come along with stardom, it must suck finding out that your fanbase doesn't actually care for you as a person...

[uledy.livejournal.com]

+1

[evilvalenstrife.livejournal.com]

It's part of the job but, these are people, not robots. I completely understand his frustration.
I'm personally glad that he's telling us all this. We never get to hear it because of how idols are told not to show it. Thanks for being real Jjong.

[marsinblue.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to see the full segment/ep to better understand what's troubling him.
Is it worrisome that he's breaking down exactly when he's promoting solo and with his own works? I would've thought this would be the moment he felt 'most found/fulfilled' and not most lost :/. Or maybe he's just reminiscing into past times à la Healing Camp?
Hope he cheers up.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

He and I should be in a pojangmacha and I'll let him just let it all out and blubber away while we drink all night.

[sra-interesante.livejournal.com]

this is almost like an existencial doubt
do i need to be more self-aware? would people notice/care if i make an effort to show my real self?
it's touching to see how bad he wants people to see beyond his idol image

[stephantasm.livejournal.com]

Some of these comments are so weird. Jonghyun's probably bothered by the arrogant/snarky/2D image that people have in their mind of him. Last year I saw the most ridiculous headcanonical dissertations about him being a bully. That's not really a part of the job because people do this to regular folks, as well.

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

Last year I saw the most ridiculous headcanonical dissertations about him being a bully
I used to follow a blog that was utterly convinced that Jonghyun bullied Onew and her arguments were...utterly ridiculous tbh. Like using the "fake punching" thing as a prove and stuff like that.
Idg the snarky/arrogant thing either. He dropped the sorta cocky act in 2010 but some SHINee stans seem to be stuck on their 2008-2010 period forever.

[kaylaa7x.livejournal.com]

The fact that he's saying this whilst clutching a teddy bear to his bosom is like super sadface. He's so sensitive and although he gets to live such a ~glam~ life fame brings it's own set of challenges. Feeling like you can't be your authentic self is tough.

[atopworld.livejournal.com]

I don't like the commenT in here, and I can't play nice and be rational because I understand where he's coming from.

To want people to not have MISCONCEPTIONS [Hello? Shinee pretty much gave us this on a platter..?] about you is a human feeling. Everyone has these feelings. I have dealt with and still deal with this. I don't agree with him having to shut up about it simply because he's famous. I thought it was obvious that all that glitters isn't gold.

[undeniablysarah.livejournal.com]

Sorry in advanced for the long read I am very drawn to this issue.

People who are upset about this need to understand that his frustrations are valid. Saying they are not is an injustice to what makes a person human. There is nothing wrong with expressing your desire to be understood and seen fully by others. How dare anyone say these emotions and complainants about idol life aren't valid or are annoying. Idols are humans not robots that are made to fit every desire of their fans. Until people recognize that things will never change and idols will have to live with their identity crisis wondering when or if anyway will see them past their "stage/fan" made persona.

I have been disgusted by some omona comments before but some of them in this thread are really disgusting and show no empathy towards Jonghyun, idols or humans in general.

Many people besides idols deal with feeling as if no one understands them,everyone takes them for granted or doesn't want the real them but a made up perfect version of them. These are issues not only idols go through but everyone at some point, I know I have, it is a miserable feeling thinking the people that are around you like a version of you that isn't really you but sadly you can't open yourself up because your scared if you do everyone will leave you, hate you or reject you. For a non-idol that doesn't have to worry about making money by being prefect for other this is scary. But now image an idol who is dealing with this, a lot more scary cause there future relies on the public opinion.

So no I will not accept that Jonghyun needs to not complain about this because he is an idol and its "part of the job" in fact saying words like that leads to fan entitlement something many here in omona hate.

I will leave at this:

“I don’t think there are too many people to whom I’ve revealed everything like this. I would worry about what they would think if I were to talk to them in such a manner. No matter what I say, honestly, people would only judge me the way they want to.

Before, I would want to show the real side of me because of the unfair things that people said about me, but I realized that it was impossible and tried to think why people thought of me in that manner.

I thought that people didn’t want to know the real me. There aren’t that many people who would want to know the real me. Of course, not much has changed since then, but if I were to express myself first, then wouldn’t they think differently?" - Kim Jonghyun

Source for translation of full Jonghyun quote sadly is from allkpop (sorry mods) the link is here: http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/01/jonghyun-sheds-tears-talking-about-the-perception-others-have-of-him-on-4-things-show

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

Seriously, basically implying that he (and other idols) should just suck it up because "it's part of the job" or the simple ass "if you don't want to be treated as a pop star, don't be a pop star" mentality are disgusting. Things are way more complex than that and only because he's an idol it doesn't mean he's not allowed to show ANY emotions. No wonder Omona is a rip off of ONTD because sometimes the comments here are really gross and the hypocrisy never fails to amuse me. So you're always criticizing k-fans for their entitlement but now you act exactly the same? Rmfe.

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

Wow, it seems to me that the image he projected (or was instructed to project) worked very well for the industry but to the point that people were disappointed that he wasn't what was projected on TV.

Yea, he knew what he was getting into when he decided to be an idol but if you keep cutting the same spot, you will eventually draw blood.

[scheisse.livejournal.com]

This sounds weird but I like that he's upset about this. His emotions show that he is genuinely interested in showing the "real him" as opposed to a manufactured image. There are loads of idols who have absolutely no problem being nothing more than a manufactured image for fans so they can rake in as much money and fame as possible. This does nothing but humanizes him for me and I like it.

I understand the whole "you signed up for this" argument, but I feel like idols like Jonghyun become idols thinking that eventually they'd get to a place where they'd able to be themselves. That eventually they'd become successful enough to prove to their fans and company that they're not just the image they've portrayed, but also a real person with real feelings. But then they realize that the industry doesn't work that way and fans fall into the trap companies set for them and believe wholeheartedly that your manufactured image is actually who you are and reject anything else. It must be absolutely frustrating.

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

It must be difficult to feel like you have to act out a partially/completely false version of yourself to satisfy everyone else.

[skystealers.livejournal.com]

i can't imagine how terrifying it is for idols to allow themselves to be as vulnerable as jonghyun just made himself. the way fans strip real people's personalities away to fit their understanding is bizarre

but then again these people also probably delude themselves into thinking that they know these idols

[starsdestiny.livejournal.com]

"Is this the reality that you wanted?"
Whenever Jonghyun said this, I really felt like he was trying to break that reality tv "fourth wall". The irony that even though it's a "reality tv show", he was still playing to a script and all that.
That was in 2010, I can see why it'd be frustrating... It's also a lot of pressure to live up to the public image.

And the image is probably a result of escapism and fantasies so who's really like that?
I hope Jonghyun finds the people who do want to know the "real him" and the perceived image doesn't become too burdensome.

Honestly though, I barely get what the article is reporting, it doesn't exactly get the point across.

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

"they (the public) want me to show myself in the way they imagine me."

This is the realest statement ever. I feel this so much.

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

I feel like a lot of idols go into it hoping to become pop stars, not television personalities. (See: Jackson wanting to be known for being part of GOT7 and not for his variety, which should just be a bonus) They want to be liked for their skills and connect with their fans through their personality instead of connecting through an image.

And yeah, everyone has an image; you can't really control that, so you just have to shape it best you can, but it sucks if you can't even shape it to show as much of yourself as you'd like. And like someone commented above, once someone likes you for your image, it becomes really difficult to tear that image down and be yourself cause fans recoil. And when you want to be liked and don't want to let down people, it's really easy to continue just giving people what they like instead of doing what you'd like.

It doesn't help that most idols have the pressure of their group members and companies depending on them to not "act out".

[sadistic-dance.livejournal.com]

how different is his image in comparison to his actual personality. all of shinee seem pretty "them", you know?

[hitsujiga.livejournal.com]

i'm rly torn about his wish to be himself. i think he's very much himself all of the time despite having an image..and i understand the frustration about being perceived as his image and not himself. i also hate to fake something i am not!

but jong, do you really think it's good to be out in the open with your true self - as an artists/idol? as much as you want it...it makes you very vulnerable to ppl's judgement. and i'd rather have you being judged for your image than for your true self. because that can hurt like hell.
like key once said: "my stage name is like an armour." while it doesn't reveal your true self it also protects you from harm jjong, i think you should embrace that a bit.

[aurora2687.livejournal.com]

There's a kind of strength in being able to show your vulnerability like that. I don't know how he does it, it bloody scares me to be that open because your always open for interpretation and you might get hurt further.