Jong-hyun funeral news 2017: SHINee bandmates lay him to rest in funeral service

A portrait and the coffin of Kim Jong-hyun, the lead singer of top South Korean boy band SHINee, is carried during his funeral at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, December 21, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Fans of the South Korean pop singer and songwriter Kim Jong-Hyun were grief stricken during his funeral. The news of Kim's suicide shocked K-Pop fans around the world when he took his own life at the young age of 27. The private funeral took place on Dec. 21, Thursday, wherein his coffin was carried by other high-profile personalities of the South Korean from Kim's previous band, and members of Super Junior entertainment industry, and was led by Kim's sister. 

According to reports, Kim's sister, Kim So-dam, was seen to be drenched in tears as she carried the late K-Pop star's portrait during the procession just outside of the Asan Medical Centre, where Kim was brought after his body was found laying unconscious inside of his own apartment in Seoul. Kim's coffin was carried out by his former bandmates from the group SHINee, namely by Onew, Key, Taemin, and Minho. 

The bandmates carried the coffin to a black Lincoln limousine hearse that was waiting outside of the hospital. Before the believed suicide, Kim left a note that details his struggles with depression. Within the note, Kim stated that he was "broken from the inside," stating as well that he is not cut out for the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It is also believed that Kim had been fighting the mental illness for quite some time. 

One of the people who escorted Kim's coffin held a plaque that read "Kim Jong-Hyun, believer," as the man walked by the side of Kim's grieving sister. The body was then brought to the private funeral, which only welcomed close friends and relatives. Kim has had existential problems in the moments leading to his death, stating that he only lived "just because." It appears that he was not able to find any happiness and contentment in his tremendous accomplishments.