SHINee Taemin was transferred to reservist duty due to worsening depression and panic disorder. Those who claimed to be Taemin’s military colleagues testified how difficult Taemin’s military life had been.
On January 14th, Taemin‘s agency SM Entertainment made an official statement saying, “From January 14th 2022, Taemin has been transferred from the Ministry of Defense’s Military Band Service Support Group to reservist duty.”
Some netizens expressed their uncomfortable feelings, saying that it was “celebrity preference”.
In response, netizen A who called himself a colleague who shared the same lifestyle as Taemin testified Taemin‘s distress, “Taemin brought a lot of drugs such as depression to the training camp, and I remember he took them every evening.”
He added, “Even though he was having a hard time, he showed a bright side in front of us and played well with us. I heard that he suffered from chronic diseases before enlistment, but he was an older brother who always worked hard and persevered during training.”
Netizen B claimed, “I’m the one who went through judgment with Taemin. We lived together for about 2 weeks. He had a hard time getting medication every day because of depression and panic disorder, and he often woke up at night. He sometimes had to take extra pills.”
B shared that Taemin continued to smile and give advice to the people in the dormitory despite such a difficult situation. Taemin was a good older brother who took care of others even though he was sick.
B requested, “He was worried and anxious that if he left, he would run into malicious comments. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say mean things too much.”
Netizen C introduced himself, “I’m a military colleague of Taemin who suffers from depression and panic disorder like him.”
He confessed, “It’s not something to be proud of. I just left a comment because I wanted to let you know that Taemin never received celebrity preference.”
C explained, “Taemin took more sleeping pills, tranquilizers, panic disorder and depression drugs than I did otherwise he couldn’t sleep. His hands were always trembling with panic attacks and panic symptoms all the time.”
At the same time, C said that Taemin was a warm person who took care of his younger colleagues and said good things to them.
C added, “I want you to know that celebrities have their private lives and jobs that only show good things while there are many dark and difficult aspects. Their examination process was more demanding than anyone else, and the military conducted it really strictly.”
Finally, C asked, “Don’t see something through tinted glasses and talk thoughtlessly about others.“
