SHINee Jonghyun’s Sister Makes Her First Official Public Appearance

“Hello, I’m Kim So Dam, the secretary general and Jonghyun’s older sister.”

With these words, Kim So Dam, sister of the late K-Pop idol SHINee‘s Jonghyun, officially made her first public appearance on behalf of the Shiny Foundation.

“I think this is the first time I’ve ever formally greeted you on camera,” she said, speaking to viewers. “I’ve been hiding, and I haven’t really opened up to the public, but now I’m starting to find ways to share little bits of my stories. The stories I’ve been wanting to tell but haven’t, and the stories I’ve been holding inside.”

“I’m sure you have your own too,” Kim So Dam went on. “I think there must be a way to get through this together so that we don’t have to face our struggles alone. I want us to be able to get through the hard times together, not be stuck in them.”

Kim So Dam is referring to Shiny Foundation’s new psychological counseling initiative. Shiny Foundation, established in 2018 by Jonghyun’s family, aims to prevent suicide among artists in Korea and help aspiring young artists launch their careers.

Although Kim So Dam has largely remained out of the public eye, she continues to celebrate her brother’s life and honor his legacy. Jonghyun debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008 and passed away in December 2017.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had self-harming thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out to your local confidential support for people in distress or to call the Lifeline. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s # is 988, OR you can call 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK).