SHINee's four remaining members will continue on with their scheduled Japanese concert series for February, as per an announcement on Tuesday (January 9) from the band in their first public statement as a collective since the passing of Jonghyun.
On the band's official website, Onew (Lee Jinki), Key (Kim Kibum), Minho (Choi Minho), and Taemin (Lee Taemin) shared handwritten letters that unveil their decision to continue on as a foursome with their previously-scheduled "SHINee World The Best 2018 - From Now On" tour dates in Tokyo and Osaka next month.
"I thought that I couldn't do this concert," SHINee bandleader Onew wrote in his letter. "However, Jonghyun's mother told me not to give up. So I thought that if we could comfort those who are missing [Jonghyun] and in pain, then I should work harder even if I am lacking."
Born Kim Jong-hyun, Jonghyun sent Nine, a member of Dear Cloud, a farewell suicide note two weeks before taking his own life. Nine kicked off her post by telling readers that she has said her final goodbye to her friend. It's been a while since she's known of Jonghyun's dark demons and even though she tried her best to relay his struggle to his family, it only postponed his suicide.
Towards the end of the lengthy post, Nine shared text from his final note. "I am broken from the inside. Depression that slowly ate away at me ended up swallowing me. I couldn't beat it. I hated myself. I held onto memories that have died out and even though I shouted to snap out of it, there was no response," he wrote. "If suffocating breaths will not open up, it's better instead to stop. I asked who can take responsibility for myself. It's you. I was completely alone. It's easy to say you'll end it. It's hard to end it."
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