lemonzest

I haven't been here in a long, long time but I caught the end of Jo Kwon's live yesterday and the sheer amount of comments from girls asking him to marry them, bringing up his "relationship" with Ga In (in 2022), asking him what type of girl he likes and so on sent me reeling into a whole different universe. The sheer wilful blindness was a formidable thing to behold. What I've gathered from this is that you could have a guy emanating rainbows, more flaming than a 230ft wide cavern in Turkmenistan, voguing under a banner bearing the words "I AM A HOMOSEXUAL" and there would still be an army of women denying it, engagement rings at the ready.

If this were true I'd be so proud, but Heechul definitely beat them to it. Still, Jonghyun and Taemin did their part for the cause with Internet War and Key's continuing to do his by existing

The same Jo Kwon with 'Born this Way', 'Equality', and rainbows tattooed on his body? Surely not.

Key's so obvious I can't even conceptualise an alternate universe in which he isn't undeniably gay. Onew and Minho seem straight as an arrow, Jonghyun gave me bi vibes, Taemin I'm actually less sure about. He's certainly feminine in a lot of ways but I've known straight guys like that. Unlike others here I can't really read him.

SHINee being back has awoken me from my deep slumber. This is a solid album and I'm glad they're back.

Eh. You're not wrong. I was non-binary once and so were most of my other dyke friends. It's a hell of a lot easier to come out as that than as a ~nasty homosexual~ in today's world, whether people want to admit it or not. Especially in socially conservative countries. Anyone denying this is just being obtuse to feel righteous. The irony in him ostensibly coming out as non-binary (it's kind of unclear exactly what he's identifying as?) and insisting that appearance and interests don't dictate gender isn't lost on me either.

I haven't been here in years so idk if I even remember how to post but I'll give it a go. Has anyone noted Jo Kwon's latest antics? His closet is barely even glass anymore; perhaps cellophane? He posted this to his insta stories yesterday, regarding the musical he's currently practicing for which is based on the true story of a gay, teenage drag queen: It's such an honor as Korea's Jamie on stage to be mentioned by the one and only original Jamie; I'm so happy! Thank you so much, my life really resembles your life story and that's why I'm so into the rehearsal these days. I hope one day you will be able to see our show in person! Your story truly is healing so many people including me. Thanks again! I know he's been pretty bold since getting out of the army but publicly identifying himself with a gay man like this is a lot even for him. I'm glad he's comfortable enough to be this open now.

There was also that time Kwon was photographed outside of a gay club in Thailand and then filmed dancing inside. Also, he and his boyfriend used to post photos of their matching rings and phone cases etc, but they appear to have been removed now. Kwon's closet is barely even glass at this point, it's more like an invisible one. Anyway, hello again to a thread I haven't visited in YEARS. Did K-Pop get any gayer while I was off... being gay?

This is so, so surreal I don't even know how to feel about it. I haven't listened to the album yet, but I loved the music video. I thought I'd accepted that he's gone but my brain just can't process that he won't be promoting the single/releasing another album/existing anymore. It's odd.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all had a good day and that you're looking after yourselves.

Oh Jinki, that was wonderful. I hope he's holding up okay.

As long as it was Taemin's decision and he has a good support system around him, keeping busy and having something to prepare for could be a helpful coping strategy.

I know a lot of people are really struggling so please try to remember that even though his body is gone, his spirit remains in the music he gave us and our memories of him. As long as we continue to think of him he is still present on this earth <3 and make sure to look after yourselves! Drink plenty of water, breathe deeply and do something that makes you feel good. Don't feel guilty for smiling as that's what Jonghyun would want, but don't feel that you have to suppress your sadness either. Whatever you're feeling right now is okay. Just stay safe. (Also, I know religion and spirituality can be a contentious subject, but I lit a candle for Jjong and prayed for him at my solstice celebrations today. I like to believe that no matter where the prayers are coming from they will all reach and comfort the deceased.)

Wow that letter has me bawling again. What a brave thing to write and upload. This is all starting to feel a lot more tangible now.

This is a wonderful post and I feel exactly the same way. I haven't paid attention to K-pop in such a long time, but I always, always checked up on SHINee every now and then (especially Jjong and Key). I just couldn't seem to let them go after their music and bright personalities had helped me through some really dark times. It's difficult to accept that someone who could be such a source of joy for so many people was also suffering in this way. Also this might sound stupid but I keep forgetting why it is that Jonghyun's been on my mind so much these past couple days (I have insomnia so I'm often tired and my thoughts get mixed up) and then it hits me all over again. It's like I think, "oh yeah, Jjong! I wonder what he's up to..." and then I remember and feel sick.

I haven't commented here in a couple years but I have no idea where else to talk about what's happened. I feel hollow. Jonghyun is the reason I ever became interested in K-pop and I've always felt like I could relate to him due to his openness about depression and his sensitive nature. I don't know what to say other than that I hope he is finally at peace and that his family and friends have the support they need to heal from this. I just can't believe this is real.

Fuuuuck they look so good. Like a fashion week remake of Reservoir Dogs.

Thanks for the info! Idk why I've never thought to check the individual members' threads before lol. I really am so impressed by how far they've all come and how passionate they are about their projects.

Well yeah that's why I said it was turning into a back and forth at this point lmao. It'll blow over tho. How did I not know Minho had been cast in a film?! Aaahh I'm so proud. I remember when he was but a shy, sport-obsessed little froglet. I need to do some googling right now - between this and Onew's acting I've missed so much!

Well it's different people bringing it up each time. Realistically it'll probably keep happening until everyone's seen and... acclimatised to it. Plus it feels a bit weird to me that his face has significantly changed and everyone's supposed to just not mention it? It's like someone's switched all of the furniture around while we were out and now we have to carry on as if nothing's happened even though people keep accidentally sitting on the tv... this analogy is definitely working, right? But rest assured that like the many surgeries and maybe-not-surgeries before him, talk of it will soon die down. Just gotta ride it out. What's Minho been up to lately anyway? Other than being his usual adorable self.

Is... is Minho real? As for the other thing, give it a week or so and I'm sure it'll settle down. The discussion that is.

Anyway, Key's updated his weibo and the most important part of his appearance we need to be discussing are those trousers because WHAT

Yep! The photos are from rehearsals for his ~theatrical stage debut. I know it's terrible but I'm kind of secretly hoping someone smuggles a camera in...

Did anyone post these? I'm sad that we'll probably get to see nothing from this