110923 JYJ’s Jaejoong speaks out against suicide

[cc9095.livejournal.com]

Recently, online media outlets like Star News, BNT News, Hankyung, TV Report, and others decided to collaborate for a suicide prevention campaign called “A Beautiful Korea Living Together”.

The campaign aims to fill the Korean people 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!

Q. “Did you ever think about suicide?”

Jaejoong: “I felt sad and upset for the people who 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?”

Jaejoong: “Every person feels loneliness and is met with a hardship that’s hard to endure. While living life, there are, of course, burdens 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?”

Jaejoong: “It was just shocking and an unbelievable reality. I was upset.”

Q. “Do you know any celebrities that are going through depression?”

Jaejoong: “I don’t know. They say that depression isn’t something shown on the outside, as people who are depressed usually seem bright on the outside but feel depressed when they’re alone. I think it’s more important to care for those who are trying harder than normal to look positive, instead of those who say outright, “I’m lonely“. 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 who was thinking of suicide, what would you say?”

Jaejoong: “I believe that our fans won’t think of suicide because I feel that if they listen to our songs, they’ll feel happy and that their depression will disappear. In our recent album, 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?”

Jaejoong: “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 into their zone. The world keeps making people depend on only themselves and promotes competition between one another, which makes people think that’s what success means, 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 who are suffering to the point of thinking about suicide?”

Jaejoong: “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 let your sorrow grow, and ask for help from the person next to you.”


Source: TV Report via Naver
Credit: Allkpop
Photo Source: @Kjj0204

Comments

[pekojan.livejournal.com]

He was speaking like Miss Korea.

[fadeintoyou.livejournal.com]

lol

[unreal.livejournal.com]

♥

[gambino.livejournal.com]

seriously this great man ;/

[laurent.livejournal.com]

"I believe that our fans won’t think of suicide because I feel that if they listen to our songs, they’ll feel happy and that their depression will disappear."

oh, jeez.

[cotxpaxi.livejournal.com]

yea lol ...

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

Really, Kim Jaejoong is one of the few so has an amazing soul and mind, as well as incredible beauty

[ryukokoro-oppa.livejournal.com]

Jae is so beautiful..I can't..and I don't just mean the picture too. There's only 1 or 2 things he said I would disagree with, however, most of his answers were pretty well thought out and extremely accurate.

Love this man ♥

[suzieeq-luv.livejournal.com]

Even tho tho there wasn't much talk about clinical depression I hope it will be addressed by professionals in this camaign.

Other than that I like jaejoong's interviews.
But holy crap I have seen at least 12546824 translations of this today OTL

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

The things he said were sweet and I think that Jaejoong is a really wonderful person, BUT I suffer from depressions myself and I can assure you that music alone or positive thinking does NOT help you out of the dark.

It takes time, medicine and therapy to leave this "world" behind you. I've been trying it for ten years...!

But music does help me sometimes, I've to admit!

[wassereis.livejournal.com]

this. D:

and sometimes, music makes me think about things in a way I shouldn't

[fadeintoyou.livejournal.com]

his thoughts & answers always surprises me in a good way. he seems like a really genuine and good person all around who's conscious of people & society in general & it strikes me as if he's just tryin to do his part to make it a better place while he's here. the world could do with a few more Jaejoongs in it.

[loverboy.livejournal.com]

It's nice that an idol is opening talking about suicide, but he's still talking out of his ass for most of it.

He never once mentions going to see a doctor or seeking professional help, which is what someone's who's suicidal should do. Thinking about all the things that should make you happy, in my experience, only make a person feel more suicidal.

[xerophine.livejournal.com]

Aren't those things said by everyone? I think he just wanted to add something more.

[sayakota.livejournal.com]

I think it’s more important to care for those who are trying harder than normal to look positive, instead of those who say outright, “I’m lonely“
um this is pretty ignorant, it's equally important to console both of these types of people. Not to mention "I'm lonely" is a cry for help by definition.

[wishunew.livejournal.com]

not really though, because the people who are saying "I'm lonely" are looking for help, unlike the people who paste smiles on their faces and hide the fact that they're lonely. And he's not saying 'fuck those guys' since he clearly things its important for everyone to get help, he just thinks the people who are masking their emotions need more of it.

[sashays27.livejournal.com]

he looks so beautiful here...

[baboboy.livejournal.com]

I love you jaejoong, but some of the things you said.....

[xerophine.livejournal.com]

Look at this wonderful and flawless man. I wanted him to response the second question more personally, yet I still can't get over with his being ideal. His words are so charismatic and peaceful.

I think it’s more important to care for those who are trying harder than normal to look positive, instead of those who say outright, “I’m lonely“. 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.”
Damn, I love this part.

And I have to second the part about getting better thanks to songs. It works always for me and some of JYJ (DBSK? It still counts) are really helping during those times. Even if they're very heartbreaking, you feel emotions put in the songs and power to overcome all of hardships.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

Sorry, but this statement of him

I think it’s more important to care for those who are trying harder than normal to look positive, instead of those who say outright, “I’m lonely“

was downright ignorant.

When somebody says "I'm lonely" it's a cry for help. Most of the time this is the way a depression starts: A person says he/she is lonely, but everybody just laughs it off with "You'll feel better soon!"

[threebits.livejournal.com]

Also, hold the hand of the person next to you.

What if i'm alone? Should I just hold myself? ._.

I like that he is not afraid to answer questions about suicide but some of his answers sound weird imo. And thinking about nice things doesn't always help, especially when you feel so broken and nothing seems right in the world anymore.

(does this even make sense -_- i need sleep)

On a brighter note A Boy's Letter is my second favorite song off of their album

[ilovessyou.livejournal.com]

"What if i'm alone? Should I just hold myself? ._."

lol he wasn't talking as if it was literally holding the hand of someone beside you. It means seek for help for the ones who love you - your friends or your family for example.

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

When you've been in the dark for so long, Jaejoong, nothing looks different when people tell you to see the light. It's all black.

Sometimes, nothing helps.

Maybe he had good intentions at heart but he offers no practical solutions. Please tell the public to seek professional help. There is no shame in that.

[classystar.livejournal.com]

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 let your sorrow grow, and ask for help from the person next to you.”

I think that is his answer to that. I don't really think it's necessary for a suicidal person to seek professional help.

[sweetemerald513.livejournal.com]

“If you were to ever have a fan who was thinking of suicide, what would you say?”

Jaejoong: “I believe that our fans won’t think of suicide because I feel that if they listen to our songs, they’ll feel happy and that their depression will disappear. In our recent album, 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.”

It's nice that Jaejoong is speaking out against suicide, but I think this answer is a bit idealistic, especially the last part.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

I think Jaejoong is an idealistic person and there is nothing wrong with it. The thing is that a lot of people have the wrong idea about depressions. I suffer from it since ten years and I've met so many people who think that "talking with friends" and "thinking happy thoughts" helps.

Well...one of the reasons why I suffer from depressions is, because I have no friends and my family doesn't care about me. So there is really nobody I can talk to.


I also think that people nowadays see "depression" as a "illness of the weak"!
I wish Jae would have just said: "When you can't stand it anymore, get professional help. There is nothing wrong about it!"

[mirotic-mor.livejournal.com]

- From my personal point of view, it DOES help when someone else, external, says stuff about this. Even if it's simple and not that helpful. No, it won't bring you out of your depression, but for a few moments, maybe, it can help. mostly if it's YOUR idol saying that stuff, making you think in the others around you. from the point of view of someone who has suffered from a lost caused by suicide.

- In the same line, no way the music will totally help you out. But there're people who uses it. There're people who can't cause it's counterproductive.

- The "I'm lonely" IS a cry for help, but, from my own experience, most of the depressed people do it "behind your back".

- Sad as it is, in korea, seeking for medical help in this cases, is like a sin or something. Nobody will tell you to go to see a psychologist -.-

[swrighteous.livejournal.com]

I can't say that I agree with everything he said, but it's still a positive step that there's a campaign such as this and that JJ, other celebrities and the news sites are speaking out on the subject. Considering the alarming suicide rates in Korea, something definitely needs to be done; this is as good a start as any.

[eun-chan.livejournal.com]

mte

[rabu-parade.livejournal.com]

I think it’s more important to care for those who are trying harder than normal to look positive, instead of those who say outright, “I’m lonely“.

Um...

[aifurikuri.livejournal.com]

He's probably saying that from experience...I mean look at his friend. The guy must have appeared very joyful and happy to Jae so he wasn't concerned about him being depressed...

[eun-chan.livejournal.com]

After reading many articles about suicide in Korea, watching interview with Tablo, I think it`s good that celebrities start talking about it.
Little steps.

Wish they talked about depression on TV, celebrities (to gain public attention) and doctors (to make valuable points).

[aifurikuri.livejournal.com]

I was thinking he should get together with Tablo and start a campaign of awareness not just a private club..(someone started one in kpop land didn't they...can't remember.)

[honeyfunnybunny.livejournal.com]

Don’t think that you’re the only one living in this world. Don’t let your sorrow grow, and ask for help from the person next to you.

♥

[aifurikuri.livejournal.com]

Seeking clinical help is all well and good, but nothing can replace the inner appreciation of ones life. Do I make sense? I mean look at it like this way, you know they say that for a cancer patient, the most important thing is the will to live, to fight and continue on. If a patient doesn't have that, doctor's do say that their chances of survival are usually not good. So yeah, he probably should have mentioned getting clinical help which I'm guessing is still taboo in Korea, but nothing, especially a pill replaces that inner drive.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

You do make sense. But the problem is that people who suffer from depression mostly see no sense in their life. As in, they think they have nothing to live for. THAT'S what makes this whole thing so complicated.

[jetaime-pyon.livejournal.com]

The beautiful sky, your mother’s delicious food, and your pet’s cute aegyo are all wonderful things in life

haha, that's very charming to hear. and also very true.

agreeing with other people on here, in that some of his answers are too idealistic. but i am thankful he is making effort to speak about this problem, because it is becoming more serious with the past years.

[maple88.livejournal.com]

Regardless of how idealistic and somewhat ignorant his answers are, I think it's a good step to get a public, well-known figure to talk about suicide in a country were it happens way too often, and it's still considered shameful to be anything less than perfect.