During the 1990s, a style of music that appeared to be influenced by R&B, rock, and hip-hop emerged from South Korea. Eventually called K-pop, the new genre usually surrounded boy bands and girl groups. Among those bands to come from K-pop was F.ABLE, which featured musician Shim Jaehyun. While F.ABLE gained a sizable following thanks to songs like “Baby Don’t Cry” and “Burn It Up”, the band eventually went on hiatus. And while some fans hoped they would reunite, sadly, Jaehyun passed away at just 23 years old.
On Sunday, the news of the musician’s death started to circulate the internet as fans took a moment to remember Jaehyun. Even his former bandmates were shocked over the news, given that the musician stayed silent when it came to his battle with leukemia. Keeping it private, Hojun shared several pictures of his friend on Instagram in a now-deleted post.
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Outside of posting a collage of pictures, Hojun wrote, “Jaehyun, I heard the news too late… I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for your last journey. I sometimes think about how I could have done better, and it’s regretful. I hope you can shake off all your worries and live comfortably there. Thank you for the past five years.”
[RELATED: K-Pop Singer Found Dead at South Korea Home]
Former Bandmate Hoped Shim Jaehyun Would Visit Him In His Dreams
Although trying to process the news, Hojun ended his message, hoping that Jaehyun would visit him in his dreams. “I hope you’re eating lots of delicious food and doing well there. Come visit me in my dreams.”
As the news started to spread, fans also took a moment to remember Jaehyun and his impact on K-Pop with comments reading, “My prayers and my condolences goes out to the family.” Another person wrote, “So sad! A beautiful human being just left us. Rest in peace and may your soul return to G-d with blessings!” And one fan noted just how horrible leukemia was. “Leukemia is a horrible disease, there is no cure! Only prayer.”
For those wondering, according to the Mayo Clinic, “Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent infection fighters — they normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly.”
While deciding to fight leukemia in private, his former bandmates and fans are making sure his memory shines bright.
(Jazmine Media, 2025)