8 Heart-Touching Times SHINee’s Jonghyun Protected His Fans With Love
1. He encouraged struggling 20-somethings to pursue their dreams.
Jonghyun: What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
Fan: I want to be a radio producer.
Jonghyun: So, I’ll see you again at a broadcasting studio then.
2. He helped fight child abuse
Jonghyun helped the Busan police promote its child abuse prevention campaign, “Don’t Hit and Just Hug”. Jonghyun participated happily even at the Busan Police’s impromptu request.
3. He publicly supported the LGBTQA+ community
Even though the position was neither mainstream nor popular back in 2013 in South Korea Jonghyun was openly supportive of LGBTQA+ rights. He used a photo of a handwritten poster in support of LGBTQA+ rights as his profile photo on Twitter. Later, he sent a message of support to the author of the poster: “I support you claiming that difference between people are not wrong. I don’t think you’re the type of person who needs others consolation or worries because I think you’re a strong person.”
4. He always understood his fans’ love for him and SHINee
Jonghyun was known to be kind and understanding of his fans and their behavior.
5. Jonghyun was never afraid to stand against injustice and discrimination
He encouraged people to be politically active and to fight against discrimination in societies. He was unafraid to voice his disappointment at the government’s reluctance to pressure Japan about the history of comfort women on public radio.
“Every March 1, I think of nothing more than the plight of grandmas who were taken as comfort women by the Japanese. Whatever the Japanese government’s position is, I’m curious to know whether our government really wants to address this issue.”
— Jonghyun
6. Jonghyun sent help to Nepalese children in need
He promoted and participated in UNICEF’s campaign to raise funds to help Nepalese children during the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
7. Jonghyun helped fight against ALS
He participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and expressed hopes that his participation would help those suffering from ALS and other rare diseases. He also donated funds to ALS research.
8. Jonghyun sent his love and support to the Sewol Ferry victims and their families
Jonghyun commemorated the Sinking of MV Sewol and expressed support for the bereaved family. He encouraged his fans to do the same. He also encouraged his fans to send a happy birthday wish to the victims of the sinking of Sewol who shared the same birthday him.
