(TW: mental health, depression, suicide)
Hi everyone.
This is a special review, so I’m starting with a personal note. I admit I didn’t know much about ASTRO before last year, until Moonbin, one of their members, passed away, but as a ShaWol (SHINee fan) and a huge fan of Jonghyun, who left us in the same way, I decided I wanted to discover who he was outside of one more sad story on my news feed.
I discovered a few things. I discovered that he was a compelling actor in both Moment At Eighteen and Boys Over Flowers. I discovered that he had a lovely voice. I discovered that he had a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. I discovered that he had a sweet relationship with his sister Sua, and…I discovered that I could inadvertently find myself becoming a fan of someone I wish I could’ve known and appreciated when he was alive.
But I still feel like I don’t know enough. So, then I decided I wanted to do a review of ASTRO, and post it on 4/19/2024, which is the one year anniversary of when he took his own life, as a way to learn more about him and some of the people who loved him the most, and I hope you’ll come along with me. And I also wanted to write something just about him, which is what you’re reading now.
I have to say, I ended up laughing a lot more than I thought I would in a review that I started for such a sad reason, but I’m honestly happy about that. Sometimes it’s good to laugh, and I’m grateful that so many people (myself included) can still find joy in watching ASTRO’s songs.
It’s worth remembering that Moonbin was only 25 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that he would’ve gone on to do wonderful, wonderful things with all his talents, and it’s frankly a damn shame that he’ll never get that chance. Please take this as a sign to remember that ending everything is never the way, and that you can do so much more if you stay here with the people who love you. There’s always another day to pick dandelions, to snuggle with your dog, to tell your mother that you love her. Believe me, I’ve been there. I’m not saying that it’s easy, or even fun all the time to keep going. But I promise you, it is absolutely worth it.
So, I’ll end by saying this: I know that this is darker and sadder than I normally get on this blog, but I felt that it was appropriate this week. I can’t really say I hope you’ve enjoyed this, but I hope you come away from this knowing and caring about ASTRO and Moonbin just a little bit more. I plan to continue doing this with other idols who have taken their own lives, covering their work on the anniversaries as a way to remember them, learn more about who they are myself, and spread awareness of mental health. It’s a small thing, but it’s my way of trying to make a difference in the tiny corner of the internet I occupy.
Next time, we’re back to a usual review. Take care of yourselves out there, folks. Drink some water, take your meds, and remember to breathe. Tschüss, and Happy Spring.
Let me know your thoughts!