Former F.ABLE member and K-pop star Jaehyun dies at 23 after leukemia battle

The K-pop nation was shocked with the news of the sudden death of Shim Jaehyun, widely referred to as Jaehyun, who passed away at the age of 23 after a battle against leukemia. The news followed an official announcement on June 29, leading to an avalanche of condolences and tributes on social media on a mass scale.

Shim was also famous as a member of the K-pop boy group F.ABLE, which debuted in 2020 under Haeirum Entertainment. Despite the temporary activities of the group, releasing songs like Burn It Up, Run Run Run, and and Baby Don't Cry, Shim was able to leave a mark on fans and artists.

F.ABLE soon went into dormancy, and though the members did re-form a new group called ENPHAZE, Jaehyun retreated into private life and never even discussed his illness publicly.

Jaehyun's death and Hojun's emotional obituary went viral

What actually struck a chord the most on the web was Hojun's emotional post, Shim's erstwhile bandmate. Hojun posted on Instagram Stories, where he was crying and shattered and confessed that he had come to know of Jaehyun's passing late.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't be with you on your last path," he posted.

The emotional appeal moved the hearts of the supporters and even trended on social media platforms like X and Instagram, where users shared memories and condolences.

Hojun's statement was both an expression of the grief of losing a friend and the helplessness of not being present at the end.

This was followed by, "I sometimes wonder how I could have done it better… I will pray that you eat well and do well. Come visit me in dreams."

For the fans, it was a poignant reminder of the often intangible emotional bonds between members of idol groups.

Shim's illness had not been publicly disclosed. His circle of people reportedly vouched that he had kept his sickness private.

While Shim's time in the K-pop spotlight was brief, his influence clearly extended deep. He wasn't just a symbol of the drive and energy of a new generation, but also of the fragility and inner toughness that many idols carry behind the scenes. Shim's memory will live on in the hearts of his fans, peers, and all whose lives he impacted through his music and presence.

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