News Shinhwa’s Dongwan hits out at treatment of mental illness in entertainment industry after Sulli’s death Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/15/sh (1 Viewer)

[SOSOYOUNG]

Former f(x) star Sulli was found dead yesterday at the age of 25. Although her cause of death has yet to be officially confirmed, police are working off the assumption that she took her own life. Dongwan – who was signed to SM Entertainment from 1998 until July 2003 – took to Instagram following the news of Sulli’s death to criticise the approach of ‘large entertainment companies’ to mental health. The 39-year-old wrote: ‘When an athlete suffers ligament injuries, even in the case that they can recover through repairing treatment and physical therapy, many experts still advise surgery. This is due to the fact that recuperation time after an injury is also written in as a part of their contracts. Dongwan is a member of Shinhwa (Picture: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images) The singer believes more needs to be done (Picture: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage) ‘As the media grows larger and as the entertainment industry grows larger, there are many things that one side requires from the other, and vice versa. ADVERTISEMENT ‘Even in harsh conditions where young people cannot eat properly or sleep properly, more and more adults are demanding that they wear a bright and healthy smile. You must be sexy, but you cannot have sex; you must be tough, but you cannot fight with anyone. This is what is required of them.’ The T.O.P singer continued: ‘Many hoobaes [young artists with less experience in the industry] are currently fighting a battle within themselves, debating how much sickness can they bear in their hearts and continue to work, all for the sake of the sweetness that money and fame provides.’ Dongwan added: ‘We must not fail to notice how readily the lazy actions of large entertainment companies can become the host of a contagious virus that can spread instantaneously.’ Sulli has passed away (Picture: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage) Sulli debuted with f(x) in 2009 (Picture: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage) The singer debuted with SM Entertainment in March 1998 with Lee Min-woo, Shin Hye-sung, Jun Jin, Eric Mun and Andy Lee in the band Shinhwa, but in July 2003, when the boys’ contracts expired, the agency offered all of them an extension bar Dongwan. The band decided to leave SM for Good Entertainment, and now operate under the Shinhwa Company – although they had to battle SM for years to continue using their band name. Sulli debuted with f(x) under SM Entertainment in 2009, and had major success with the girlband. However, the singer, real name Choi Jin-ri, chose to go on hiatus in 2014 as she was struggling with trolling. ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: Shinhwa's Dongwan criticises mental health treatment in K-pop after Sulli death
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[QueenB]

I'm really glad he spoke out about this and I think he made a lot of good points. People treat famous people like they aren't human and because they have fame they shouldn't be bothered by criticisms or hate but that's not how people work.

I really hope more will be done

 

[PrideInBaek]

Never knew this man before but I have a huge amount of respect for him now.

 

[Evergreen]

He just exposed the whole Kpop industry hypocrisy.

 

[yeji]

glad he is doing that for himself.

 

[blueberries]

Yes, i think some of fault is definitely on industry. Kpop industry is so harsh that it's no wonder many idols develop mental illnesses. You need to constantly diet and even normal weight is not accepted you gotta be under it and starving for food especially during promotions. Not having enough sleep makes anyone feel deppressed and if you have that long term u will get both physical and psychological issues. Constantly having to compete, put on your best face and avoid making any mistakes will surely make anyone anxious and even paranoid. Being artist is hard anywhere in word, which is why many result either to alcohol or drugs or both to dull their mind, but that's kinda deal breaker in Korea so no go. It's hard to say how this could be improved though, but i think one thing that companies should start doing is allowing their artists to be more human.

 

[Administrator2]

This is really a big deal. Mental health is a huge taboo in Korea and it's rare for an idol to address the issue this publicly. I hope more people follow his trails.