‘I can’t be silent’

This Monday, the 28th, SEVENTEEN fans were surprised with a sentimental letter written by Seungkwanwhich was shared through a post made on his personal Instagram profile.

In the text, he reflects on the difficulties and pressure he has seen and faced with other k-pop groups, expressing his desire for the bad situations that have been afflicting idols who currently promote their releases in the South Korean industry to stop exist.

Read the translation:

I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore.
Observing many things that have happened in the meantime, but with the intention that this will pass somehow. I have been working hard with the members, as I have always done with my heart, but now I am just observing these situations, I just want the lights to go out.
My friends who are hurting, my fans and my members, to all the colleagues who are working hard even at this moment, I feel like I can no longer be silent. It’s not good for anyone. It may be hasty writing for some people, but I will be brave because I chose celebrity work.
There may be some parts that you have to endure because you receive so much love. While it hurt and gnawed at me until I was about to die, I don’t think it’s a job you have to endure anyway. Just do your best and take responsibility for what you have been given. To give back to the fans who love me, the good energy I can give, I just wanted to share it in various ways. So, the feeling of pressure, the pressure and fatigue of the body and mind, it is true that it is so great that I cannot explain it in words.
However, we have to do it right now. Someone looks at it rationally, and someone smiles positively and someone is having a hard time, but they adapt and live by resisting in some way. Since I chose it because I have to deal with it, but the reason is that it’s so wild and hard today.
Wasn’t there a day when I tried to win positively? Wasn’t there a day when you tried to laugh at me? But it’s not easy today. It’s a shame for those who will be hurt at this time. I’m also upset that I can’t hug you all.
I wonder if my hasty and clumsy words might resonate with someone, I wonder if they might be a comfort to someone. Including our members, K-pop is working hard together in a huge industry. At least the colleagues and friends I know are people who sincerely love this work. I hurt because I’m so sincere and sometimes I feel empty because I love you so much, but every day for myself, for the members, for my family, for the fans, I live giving and receiving love. I want to convey this clearly to the point where you will be judged for getting up and down easily.
These are not people who have worked with such ease and delicacy. They get hurt a lot and break down, and somehow overcome it to show their best side to the fans on stage. These are people who try very hard. I don’t deserve to be caught up in our narrative easily, not only for us but for other artists as well, we are not their items. I hope you don’t think you’re using it however you want and having fun with it. Even if you watch music broadcasting for a week, all your physical strength will escape your entire body. When making announcements, events, performances and other times, currently, there are many colleagues who smile more than me, and greet me warmly. Whenever this happens, I greet him with a smile. That’s all I can do for them. When you greet us with a strong smile, that time is precious and grateful.
Behind a formal greeting, even a line of messages in the album written by my colleagues makes me tired all day and gives me strength. I just want everyone to stay healthy without getting sick. I also like the culture of challenges. Whether you’re close or not, do the challenge once. With close colleagues, in a place other than on stage, leaving a challenge video of each person dancing together. When it comes to the most beautiful and wonderful youth in life, it is beautiful to create even a small memory together if fans like it. Even if we don’t know, in a strange and awkward atmosphere after filming. Even if it’s a small word of support to fight through activities, it’s good to be able to give ourselves to each other once again. If we meet respectfully and can help even a little, I think that is meaningful and grateful in and of itself. I have to try really hard, but I hope we all stay a little warmer. See this with affection, joy and love, I think we can improve a little if we treat each other with affection. I hate seeing someone break down and let go at the end. I don’t want you to hurt me without me taking responsibility. It is my sincere wish. No longer do I and our members, all the colleagues who are still working hard, with the team who were sincere with us, want our fans to get hurt. To the fans who love me warmly even at this moment, I want to say I’m sorry and I love you.

In addition to SeungkwanSEVENTEEN, a group formed by PLEDIS Entertainment that debuted in 2015, has 12 more members: S. Coups, The8, Jeonghan, Jun, Joshua, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, D.K., Mingyu, Vernon and Dino.

Also read: BTS’s Jungkook is seen having dinner with two SEVENTEEN members