I did not feel an earthquake on December 18th, 2017, but felt instead the intensity of an entire fandom crumble at the reported news of the death of Kim Jonghyun, the lead singer of the Korean boy band, SHINee.

As an avid Kpop fan, the confirmation of JongHyun’s death by S.M. Entertainment, a Kpop industry in South Korea, evoked sadness and mourning for not only Jonghyun but for his family, friends, and Shawol: the fanbase of SHINee. The disclosement of this tragic information shocked the nation of South Korea and awakened a global awareness for depression and suicide, moments after it was too late.

But why does Kim JongHyun’s Death matter even if you’re not a Kpop fan? The answer lies in the mourning and trembling hands around the world that reach out to one another, trying to grasp the reality that Jonghyun loosened the grip on. The sacrifice of the talented singer’s life has led to a ripple effect of support and connected an entire global community of diverse fanbases.

This connection has then led to the movement of ‘signs of depression,’ ‘suicide prevention,’ and ‘mental illnesses’ trending on social networks such a Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook to spread the awareness of disorders, signs, and preventions to aid those, especially Kpop stars, considering to inflict harm on oneself.

If you are a non-Kpop fan, here are five factors to why Kim JongHyun’s Death Matters:

1. Suicide is a global issue, especially in South Korea.

Being the fourth most common cause of death, 40 people, on average, commit suicide daily in South Korea. This is due to intensified workplace stress, pressure, and anxiety and depression which is induced by stress.

2. The Kpop industry is notorious for stress-induced training and practices for Kpop stars.

Controlling their diet, time, and personal life due to schedules, concerts, and other stardoms events. Deaths such as Kim JongHyun’s highlight the negative aspects of Kpop culture as it focuses on the severity and harshness of a Kpop star lifestyle.

3. For a Kpop star to appear to have ‘it all’, why would suicide be an answer?

Due to competition in Asian culture, a solo album release or lead in a Korean drama (K-drama) is not counted as a major accomplishment. Instead, Kpop stars are expected to release hundreds of songs, numerous albums, perform hundreds of concerts, and appear in various K-dramas to meet their expectation as a Kpop star. These extreme pressures result in depression, anxiety, and self-harm or suicide.

4. While celebrities are placed on pedestals, celebrities are not exempt from emotional outbursts, disorders, mental illnesses or depression.

While American culture has embraced celebrities with mental illnesses or cases depression or anxiety, Korean culture shelters Kpop fan bases from viewing any negative images of Kpop. This forces Kpop stars to conceal their emotions, which then results in immediate backlash by causing mental health problems.

5. Fans do not just consist of fan bases.

While posters and albums are scattered throughout multiple colored rooms throughout the globe, fan bases offer love, support, and donations for Kpop stars to fuel their wellbeing, band, and music. The dedication of JongHyun’s fans was seen outside of the hospital on December 18th, 2017 and through the innumerable posts on social media, declaring their love and sorrow for Jonghyun, SHINEE, and Shawol. ELF, the fan base of Korean boy band, Super Junior, also extended their love to Shawol during this tragedy.

While JongHyun’s death signifies the destruction of one person’s life, this incident has also impacted national citizens as well as international.

Suicide has not just taken a life. Suicide has taken a son, a brother, a talented singer and musician, and a friend, especially to millions of SHINee fans across the globe.

Kim’s Tragedy not only shook the entire nation of South Korea, but rippled to the counterparts of the country, reaching my hometown in Michigan.

There, my sister and I sat in the front seat of her car, as two American Kpop fans, singing to the top of our lungs, to the SHINee song ‘colorful’ because that is what Kpop made our world.

Without Jonghyun, our world, like many, now has an area of gray. Unforgettable. Irreplaceable.

Jonghyun, in our eyes, you did well.