Rest in peace Chae Dong Ha.
I just re-watched the documentary show Human Theater with SG Wannabe today and I just can’t believe that he really has left us forever. I cried watching it. Every time he appeared I thought to myself “he isn’t gone”, “look how happy he was with the SG Wannabe members”, and “look at the filial housekeeping son help his mother with chores”. My heart broke into tears when they showed his apartment and the very room where he hanged himself. It was just terrible.
My heart hasn’t ever been that sore for celebs who have past away.. maybe because I was unfamiliar with who they were only after having heard their name once or twice although they were known to many others. But yesterday when I saw “Former-SG Wannabe leader Chae Dong Ha commits suicide” on my Facebook feed, my mind went blank and I just didn’t want to believe hoping that this must be a joke, this must be wrong. It was someone I was familiar with. My heart was aching because I knew who this person was, I knew his music, I listened to his music, I was a fan. I am proud of SG Wannabe, I am a fan of SG Wannabe. They weren’t your typical idols that you see nowadays and it’s really disappointing that main stream k-pop has taken the light again and put other genres back into the background. SG Wannabe was a ballad-R&B trio who had sold out concerts, top selling albums, great music that was enjoyed by any age group and REAL singers. They ARE the real idols of the generation. They are a legend to me, they were able to touch hearts to a diverse group of fans from young ones to elder listeners with their medium tempo songs that are a classic for me to listen to. They didn’t appear on variety shows, but I’d still try to look for interview clips, concert footages and whatever behind-the-scenes cuts I can get my hands on. I may have removed their songs from my playlist from time to time but they always end up back on my playlist because there songs are just nice to listen to. I am proud to be a SG Wannabe fan.
He was my favourite member and will always be my favourite member in SG Wannabe. His voice was soothing to listen to no matter what genre of songs it was that he sang, from ballad to R&B to rock. It was the perfect fit. He was a great leader, and even greater after I was refreshed with Human Theater. He was a cool and great hyung to his SG Wannabe members. I was so touched when I saw him helping his mother do chores that I probably cannot imagine other men actually care to do. He was the type of son that you didn’t need to worry about if you left the house for days with people over, he was a… you could say.. “neat-freak perfectionist”. My heart just keeps on saying “Why, why did you leave”, “this is just unreal” every time I see his picture. My heart feels so terrible when I see the picture of his mom climbing up the steps to his apartment to not be able to see her son alive again. He was a great son.
When news broke three years ago that he, the leader and lead vocalist, would be leaving SG Wannabe to pursue a solo career I was just sadden by the news and knew SG Wannabe would never be the same without him (I still love the SG Wannabe that is right now, no doubt), but I supported his decision. I, like many other Love Room fans, would have loved to see all four of them perform on stage as THE quadruplet SG Wannabe. Sadly, this day will never come. You will always run through my mind when your songs play on my playlist.
We will miss you Chae Dong Ha. Although you have taken your life away from us, we hope you are living in a better world. You will forever be remembered. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans. SG Wannabe fighting!
