JYJ’s Jaejoong Posts Apology Online For His April Fool’s Day Joke Regarding COVID-19

He apologized to all those hurt by his joke.

On April 1, JYJ’s Jaejoong posted a message on his personal Instagram stating that he had contracted COVID-19. This message shocked many fans as they sent out messages of support to the singer.

He later “confirmed” that his diagnosis was in fact an April Fool’s Joke. His updated Instagram post stated that although it was a bit much, he wanted to people to be more alert and aware about the current situation regarding COVID-19.

Many fans who saw this were disappointed in his actions especially since the virus was affecting all parts of the world. Many felt that he was being insensitive towards all the people who were fighting the virus as well as the medical staff that were working hard to help prevent the further spread of the virus. Jaejoong has then deleted his initial post on Instagram and has updated it with an apology letter regarding this April Fool’s Day Joke.

View this post on Instagram

해서는 안 될 행동이라고도 저 스스로도 인식하고 있습니다. 먼저 제가 SNS 쓴 글로 인해 코로나 바이러스 19로 인해 피해 받으신 분들, 행정업무에 지장을 받으신 분들께 진심으로 죄송하다는 말씀과 사과드립니다. 옳지 않다는 판단. 알고 있습니다. 현재 느슨해진 바이러스로부터의 대처 방식과 위험성의 인식. 코로나 바이러스 19로 인해 피해 받을 분들을 최소화시키기 위해 경각심을 가졌으면 하는 마음에서 메시지를 전달하고 싶었습니다. 봄이 찾아와 따뜻해진 계절의 야외에서의 여가생활, 개학이 미뤄지고 여유로워진 시간을 활용한 밀폐된 공간에서의 접촉 등으로 제2의 제3의 코로나 패닉을 낳을 수 있다는 생각에 너무나 무섭습니다. 저의 아버지도 얼마 전 폐암 수술을 받으시고 줄곧 병원에 다니셨습니다. 그러면서 병원에 계신 의료진과 환자들을 보면서 뭔가 화가 나기도 하고 바이러스가 남의 일이 아니라 자신의 일이었다면 하는 생각이 들었습니다. 그래서 정작 코로나 바이러스 19로 인해 벗어나고자 노력하는 분들과는 반대로 평상시와 다를 바 없는 복장과 마스크를 착용하지 않은채 여가생활을 즐기고 계시는 분들이 많다는 이야기에 경각심이 필요 하다 생각 했습니다 다양한 정보매체와 인터넷에서도 크고 작은 주의를 요청하고 있는 가운데 그 이야기를 들어주지 않는 사람들에게 어떻게해서든 현시점의 위험성을 전달하고 싶었습니다. "제발. 귀 기울여주세요. 제발. 아프지 말고 아픔을 겪지 마세요." 라구요. 제 주변에서마저도 확진자가 생겨나고 있습니다. 먼 곳의 이야기가 아니란 걸 확신했고 두려움은 배로 느껴졌습니다. 사람을 잃고 나서야 반성하는 태도는 아무런 도움이 되지 않습니다. 답답하고 힘들지만 지금보다 더.. 조금 더 노력해서 이 힘든 시기를 함께 이겨내고 싶습니다. 오늘의 글..지나치지만, 지나칠 정도의 관심을 가져주신다면 이야를 들어주지 않을까라는 방법이 많은 분들에게 상처를 드리고 비난을 받고 있습니다. 제 글로 인하여 코로나 바이러스를 위해 애쓰시는 정부기관과 의료진들 그리고 지침에 따라 생활을 포기 하며 극복을 위해 힘쓰는 많은 분들께 상심을 드린 점 진심으로 사과드립니다.

A post shared by J_JUN 김재중 ジェジュン (@jj_1986_jj) on

Jaejoong posted a long post online and explained that although his joke was a bit overwhelming, he felt that he had to convey how dangerous this situation is at this current moment in order to alert and spread awareness to the people who are not listening to the guidelines provided by medical personnel and who are not taking this seriously.

Below is his entire post:

I recognize the fact that my actions were something that I should not have done. First off, I would like to apologize to all those who have suffered from COVID-19 as well as those in the administrative fields that have been affected by my post on social media.

Bad judgement.

I know this.

The recognition of the risks and the counter measures taken due to the spread of the virus. I wanted to deliver a message that alerted people in order to minimize the number of people affected by the virus. It’s frightening to think that you can create second and third party preemptive cases due to confined spaces. Schools and outdoor activities have been pushed back even though the warm spring has arrived.

 

He also explains his experience being at the hospital during his father’s surgery and how he realized how serious the situation was and that people need to take this seriously in order for us to overcome this situation.

 My father also had lung cancer surgery recently and was at the hospital for quite some time. While I was there, I saw the medical and the patients and felt a bit angry and wished that people wouldn’t think that the virus was someone else’s business and took to take it seriously as if it were their business. And so I wanted to convey a message to those who lived their day like normal without wearing a mask and spending time outdoors. Even with the media and the internet constantly reminding people to take precautions for the virus, there are people who still do not listen to those guidelines. I wanted to show the dangers of the present moment to the people who do not listen to the messages. I want to tell them, “Please. Please listen. Please. Please don’t be sick and please do not suffer from pain.”

 

He hopes that people can understand that this is not a distant story and that it is happening all over the world and is closer than we all think. He believes that we can overcome this if we all put our efforts together.

 

Even around me, confirmed cases of the virus are happening. This allowed me to realize that this virus wasn’t a distant story and it expanded my fear.

Reflecting on one’s actions after losing someone does not help with anything.

Although it may be frustrating and difficult, let us put our efforts together in order to overcome this difficult time.

Today’s previous post, although a bit overwhelming, has hurt many people and I have received much criticism for it. I had hoped that it received just enough attention for people to understand my story. I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart to all the government officials and medical staff who are fighting in the front lines against this virus as they strive to overcome this difficult situation.