Question: To post or not to post
March 7th, 2009 // by javabeans
With the recent death of actress Jang Ja-yeon, we can expect to see a flood of paparazzi photos of celebrities paying their respects to the deceased. Every time a celebrity suicide occurs, I feel conflicted about (1) the press’s intrusion and the media spectacle this inevitably presents, and (2) posting about it.
I’m betting it’ll be particularly frenzied this time, as the cast of Boys Before Flowers attend her wake; I’m already seeing photos. So, I’ll leave it to you: Do you want me to post those pics, or not?
Tags: bloggy, Jang Ja-yeon
post their photos nonetheless, but i hope people will not comment on how HOT so and so was at the wake of Jang Ja-yeon.
RIP to her.
I second the motion
i third that motion
Even on happy occasions like a wedding I’m in two minds but when it’s a funeral especially for a suicide I really think a degree of respect is warranted. I can’t help but think about how I would feel if it was the death of someone I cared about.
But really all that means is I wont read the articles, it’s my choice to click or not. Blog away Javabeans
Most of the celebrities treat these wakes as photo ops. It’s disgusting. Don’t contribute to the media circus that’s profiting from a actress’s tragic death.
This event should be treated as a private ceremony for the actress’s CLOSE friends and family to mourn, not some red carpet spectacle. You post pictures of famous celebrity arrivals to see the who’s who of the entertainment industry and judge what they’re wearing…is there any place for that at a wake? We already know that the celebrities will be wearing all black and putting on their “appropriately mournful” faces while they SLOWLY walk past the paparazzi.
I’m not saying that NONE of the celebrities attending are sincere, but come on, everyone knows what this is.
Third option? It’s tasteless, and yet I find myself clicking anyways. It’s like passing a car accident, yeah? Can’t help but look? When I have more self-control, I don’t, but other times…
I have a feeling I’d look, even though I don’t watch BBF.
But I think that your posting this at all would indicate that you do have some reservations–so maybe you shouldn’t. If people want to find the pictures, they’ll find them.
DON”T POST.
Like #6 says, If people want to find the pics , they will find them.
At this time I think what little respect we can have for the family and the diseased would be much better than posting who went and what they said.
I, for one, think a post of her life and work would be more appropriate.
OMG…
When I saw the news, those were my first words accompanied by a hanging jaw…
R.I.P Jang Ja-yeon…
if you post i’ll read it (i voted for yes btw) but in the end it’s your blog and if you decide not to post i will totally understand that, because yeah it’s tasteless but i can’t help to see pictures and be curious about it, i can’t even understand why…
DON’T POST. I just don’t think we should contribute to this culture of gawking at celebrities’ photos during someone’s funeral
Every other gossip blog is going to post them, so don’t. You’re better than that.
Although I voted yes, after reading #7’s suggestion, it seems more appropriate and consistent with your style. Although, I have to say, that picture of Lee Eon they selected for his funeral will always be the final image I have of him, and I was always glad you posted up his funeral pictures because of that. If you could post up images like that — focusing on JJY instead of the celebrity attendants — that would be a much better compromise.
Thanks for the input, everyone. For what it’s worth, I voted no in my own poll, so you can kinda see where I’m heading with this… But I did want to get everyone’s opinions and see where the consensus fell.
don’t post.
If you do, could you put it under a cut? I like coming here, but I don’t really want to see the pictures. I find it disrespectful in a way (not that YOU are) but some of your readers want to see it so I can see where you would want to put them up.
I don’t think it’s necessarily tasteless but rather not see it so 1 no vote from me *sigh* such a tragic thing
Well, I voted yes, but I think a better way to handle the picture thing could be to simply post links to the images so people can decide for themselves if they want to go look at them. That way your readers who would like to see the pictures can readily see them, and your readers who would rather not see them don’t have to scroll through the images to read your post.
As for the post, I think a nice overview of what JJY had accomplished or something of the like would be nice.
Pain is a private feeling.
Please, respect for the suffering.
Sarah, don’t post.
@Gabby #5
You’re being incredibly unfair and judgmental. I think the only people who deserve any criticism for this “media circus” is the media itself. The celebrities wear black because that’s what is expected, and I don’t know that it’s so much their slow walk as it is the dozens of cameras popping flash at them to snatch up pictures.
In Korea, even for a non-celebrity, there are people who may not be “CLOSE friends and family” that attend the wakes; many acquaintances and colleagues attend to show their sorrow. In fact, for a lot of celebrities that have even shallow connections, it would be considered rude not to appear.
Honestly, at least in the blogs and forums I read, I have never once read someone commenting on how good someone looks, or on what someone is wearing in these kinds of situations. So I don’t know man, it seems like you may be the only know who “knows what this is”
And @Javabeans, I think if you yourself don’t feel comfortable, there’s no question of whether you should do it or not
RIP Jang Ja Yun. It’s really hard to see and get over the fact that Korean stars will end their life this way. Even though I really want to see the pictures, I have to say no to give respect for the grieving family.
Rest in Peace, Jang Ja-yun. (and I applaud you Javabeans for running this informative space with utmost care and tasteful compassion.)
While it’s far more informative to see a photo gallery of a deceased actor’s career retrospective (like they had with Choi Jin-sil and Kim Heung-ki), I realize it is not always possible to arrange for every departure.
Seeing photos of celebs attending funeral will give some fans closure. For me it’s getting harder not to feel the photo-opp may be the only show of solidarity and support some actors/entertainers got during their trouble (through no fault of the attendees, but still…) sigh.
Thanks for NOT posting.
Celebrity or no celebrity, we’re talking about a suicide death. It’s sad and tragic.
Let’s respect their suffering and give them SPACE and PRIVACY during this difficult time and show our support w/o having to see photos.
Don’t post the pics, they’ll be every where else. It’s tragic what happened to this lady. I really don’t care to see the focus being put on who went.
eepies, i hit yes and then saw how it was triple the percentage of no’s, and i suddenly desperately wish i hadn’t voted yes. is that morbid of me? i dont read many other korean entertainment sites, so seeing them ‘everywhere’ isnt an issue for me.
Javabeans, the very fact that you even thought about this shows that whatever you present will almost certainly be tasteful and appropriate.
Let’s face it, you have a blog on Korean pop culture, and this is part of it. You are reporting on the vultures, not making money off being one.
Regardless of whether or not you post those pictures, other news blogs will have it up. However, if it were up to me, I say don’t post it. I personally find it desrespectful. We know that she’s left this world, and so lets leave it at that. No need to add fuel to the flame. With that being said, RIP Jang Ja-yeon. Best wishes to her family and friends.
Don’t post.. too sad & tragic.
Rest in Peace.. JJY
I know the pap pics are not tasteful in the sense they want to catch famous celebs in a moment of weakness for plain profit. Seeing their grief somehow, for me, brings me some closure. Knowing they were loved, and people will miss them. It makes me feel as if the deceased didn’t truly fail at life like she thought she may have. It is not that I want to invade the privacy of the mourners, I just want to mourn with them, empathize with them.
Respect the family.
Ultimately, it is your choice. I don’t think I would like to see the pictures, but if I wanted to, I’m sure I could find them elsewhere. I like coming to read your posts because its interesting and intelligent. If I wanted to look at ‘razzi pics I would go to other sites.
Thank you for bringing attention to this issue.
P.S. This makes me remember the Ahn Jae-Hwan pictures. There seemed to be no humanity or sense of respect for the deceased or the family in the surrounding media blitz/coverage, it gave me chills…
It is ultimately up to you Javabeans, but I’m glad that you asked us for our opinion. Like someone posted above, they are all over the internet by now and it won’t take much to find them.
I personally would rather not see them – it makes me feel like I’m intruding. Although by going to soompi’s thread, I’ve already become a hypocrite)
A touch choice…I admit I’m curious to see the photos. I voted no, though, because it’s just not necessary. Those who want to see the photos should definitely be able to find them.
Javabeans – the fact that you are conflicted about this very sensitive issue, further illustrates how thoughtful a person you are. And why I am a proud reader/fan of this blog. Your blog is not just about the ‘news’.
I voted no – but have to confess (and honestly quite disgusted with myself) that yes the curiousity factor was/is there, eg wanting to see the BBF cast etc. Then remembered that someone has DIED. Privacy and respect is needed.
Regardless Javabeans – you do what you think is right for you. Whatever it is, as someone mentioned, it would be tastefully done. It would be my conscience whether I choose to look.
It’s your blog so in the end, so it is your decision. You’re clearly uncomfortable with it so I don’t think it’s fair for people to ask you to do this when they have plenty of other sources.
I think you should go with your conviction. If you feel conflicted (and this is not the first time you’ve expressed this), then why not just follow your feelings? It’ll send an important message that this is no occasion for media (or blog) intrusion.
I voted no, by the way.
I can’t believe over 1,000 people voted…myself included. Wow! You have a lot of readers Java :p
lol when I went to bed last night there was less then 100 votes, this morning there’s well over a 1000 but the percentages are still the same. Tough choice Javabeans.
Why am I posting nonsense in the early hours of the morning? Because my foot really hurts and the ambulance is taking forever.
I’m not really LOL-ing.
do what is best to ur conscience. if you feel that it will be disrespectful, then save it. if ppl are interested, they will find ways to get the pictures.
this feels like crap really. i hope there’s no more suicides in korea or even anywhere for that matter.
I too voted no. Like others have said, people who want to see the photos can find them. Good on you for considering not feeding the media frenzy.
This is my first time posting here and it’s really all up to you like some of the previous people said because it is YOUR blog.
For me, when these wakes occur, I just like seeing who goes, seeing who the late actor/actress was friends with. Though I never knew celebrities came to these as photo-ops from the paparazzi but yeah..
Whether or not posting it, it’s your decision Dramabeans. For me, as your reader, I respect your insight. I did vote yes btw. It’s just the fact that I want to see how people care others. Those photos, at least, give you the warmth of humanity between actors and actresses. Jang Ja Yeon, RIP.
It seems a lot of people voted no from the comments but the poll shows a overwhelming yes.
JJY chose to be an actress and chose to end her life this way. She knew very well what would happen (including having the entire celebrity BOF cast attend her funeral).
People who choose to leave this world never stop to think about how much pain they are putting their loved ones and friends through. Suicide is quite selfish.
I voted no. If people really wanted to look at the pictures, they can find it on other blogs and on soompi.
I’ve seen the photos eventhough I couldn’t understand what was written. Anyway, personnally I think, the photos showed the crew members really care about each other and griefs were shown on their faces. No glamorous affairs, only the usual visits of a wake…
Why don’t you post just the links for those who are interested?
a lot of other sites have already posted up the pictures.
no point reposting them again and again
It’s up to you Sarah, it would be up to us if we want to see and read about it or not. Personally, I will not even take a peek to show my respect to her family and her close friends that mourns her.
Thanks for asking Sarah.
as a matter of interest?
Interest does not mean information. It is not something that gives us information, so, as a hedonist activity, there is no need to post if you do not feel like it, if you do not enjoy it……
It is like going to Sunday church just to check who is there.
vote: no
i can understand where most of the readers are coming from about respecting privacy; the mourners aren’t here to walk down a red carpet and pose for photos in their grief. but while i don’t think the sensitivity you’re displaying in handling this issue is wrong, i do feel it borders a bit on excessive tiptoeing. i think this invasion of privacy is almost at the same level as posting photos/articles about which celebrity is dating which one, which we all seem to endorse. it’s our way of getting closer to the celebrities. and if we look at death clearly without elevating it, it’s a destination we will all get to anyway. the truth is, there’s nothing private about death. you die and everyone knows it. they want to know the circumstances, the reasons..
furthermore, i sometimes can’t help feeling that grief and mourning don’t necessarily have to be exclusive. if people snap photos of mourners outside the location so that other people elsewhere can look at the photos and share in the grief, then that isn’t so bad is it? the real invasion would be to bring cameras into the space where she is laid out. to add on to that, i think if there weren’t any photographers/reporters present, that might have been worse. it highlights the fact that her death was partially over something that was true – that she wasn’t famous enough. i think the family might feel better knowing that so many people care and want to know.
i apologise if i sound unfeeling or unclear, i’m still trying to sort out what it is i really feel about things like this. and reading the comments have roused some sort of indignation in me, though i have to admit that it seems more acceptable to look at photos when someone has passed away in an accident as opposed to a suicide. and to end off this really long comment, the main point is how comfortable you feel about the whole issue, isn’t it? (:
I personally do not think you should post about this, but i do think you should refer others on your blog to where the information can be found. In this space a personal discussion of this tragedy is morbid, there are plenty of other sites already handing out information.
If anyone is looking for details “as a matter of interest” they can head over to allkpop, which has a very short detailed account of what happened. The link is below:
http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/jang_ja_yun_suicide_because_of_depression/
~R
that’s really sad the amount of people who wants to see such photos (judging from the votes!!!). My very humble opinion is to ignore these photos and let’s just pray for the poor girl. I don’t need to see photos for the cast feeling sad and depressed, and some people here might just want to see the pics to see their fav. actor/actress w/out even paying any respect to the whole situation!!
It was during the time of Lee Eon’s death, that I was able to discover your blog. *hehe I was one of those voyeurs-*ish* people who was interested in knowing the people who were present on his wake and what their reactions were”.
You are the sole blogger who was able to caption every picture *which was also shown in other blog sites* with wit, respect and passion. So I voted YES, coz i know you’ll once again give justice to every picture. Your words provide information and impact at the same time…so please….pleases…pleasers….java!
Go with what you want to do – it’s your blog, after all, and if people want to look at pictures of the funeral, there will be plenty elsewhere. Thank you for remembering that these actors and actresses are human too.
i think it’d be best not to post it. I have seen many sites post them up and i tonly made us sadder. Also, there r so much incidents regarding to this film. Let’s have a quite weekend and wish JJY rest in peace
Wow. I’m surprised so many voted yes. I voted no myself. It seems too intrusive or maybe morbid to look at pictures of people grieving…
I’ll vote no – I think not posting is as sincere as pausing for a moment of silence.
Don’t post!! Amen!!
i think you should post because you did for others so i think we should for her too as a sign of respect. since im sure you are not doing it for negative intentions. i dont think the actress wants attention when she suicide. she wouldnt be here to see that so please dont say that! and IF she does want attention. then cant we give it too her since she actually died for it?
I bet popseoul will post the photos anyway, so don’t worry to much about it. If you feel like writing something about it, go ahead!
Hummm, I’m a minority here… Javabeans, as someone else above said, it’s your blog, please do whatever…. Had you post them, I would have gone through them just out of , don’t know what…. So, than you for not posting them.
i find it disrespectful because I would hate to have pictures posted of my relative’s funeral.
It’s your blog. You do what you think is best. My sympathies in this are entirely for that poor girl and her family. So after some thought, I’m not voting because I really do think it’s your call entirely; no matter what your decision, we’ll all still be here, reading what you post — and supporting what you do.
Btw, I did decide yesterday not to post, but I kept this open because I wanted to hear all your thoughts, so thanks to everyone who explained his/her opinion. The photos indeed are everywhere, and for the truly curious, you can head on over to soompi, allkpop, seoulbeats, popseoul, kbites, seoulfull, and any other number of kblogs. I think it’s natural to want to see, so it’s totally cool for those who do; I think we all have our own threshold of what’s appropriate or uncomfortable. Personally, I was uncomfortable, particularly because this was a very clear case of the interest being mostly because of the BBF cast and NOT because of the deceased, which I find really sad.
i can’t believe so many people voted to post the pictures. I’m glad you didn’t end up posting them. I don’t mind seeing the memorial set up, but it feels intrusive to see the mourners. They deserve some privacy. I can’t believe that the korean media and photographers actually think that it’s appropriate to take pictures at a funeral. I bet if any of their relatives died, they’d be offended if I suddenly walked in and started taking pictures of them crying their eyes out.
i’ll ask for post.
but in the same time, do not post stuff that doesn’t good for the death of Jang Ja-yeon…hope everything will be fine in KOREA
I feel like the emphasis of those pictures are placed on the celebrities attending and not on the mourning of the deceased (may she rest in peace). It’s a very very sad deal as it is, and I think the family and friends deserve complete privacy. This is such a sensitive topic, but I’m glad you’re going with what you believe.
I voted no, btw.
Post according to your conscience. It’s up to you. If you do decide to post, just add Heed warning for the readers that prefer not to see it.
Edit: Just read that you decided not to post^_^
thank you for not posting and showing the deceased and her family the respect they deserve. xx
Thanks for not posting those pictures.
I also voted no, but not out of a respect for the privacy of family and friends. I am more worried about the glamorization of suicide, and the fact that often celebrity suicides and their heavy publicity seem to spark copycat suicides in the general public. According to what I have read on the net so far – I have just started research on this – suicide is the leading cause of death for Koreans in their 20s and 30s. The rate is even higher than in Japan.
Instead of runway-style shots of celebrities in dark glasses on their way to the wake, publicity should focus on suicide prevention and publicize treatment options and help centers. I know there may are a lot of cultural roadblocks, but surely change is possible…
Salut
Je trouve cela honteux de publier les photos .
Qu’on laisse tranquille sa famille , c’est des photos personnelles et je trouve cela déguelasse que certaines personnes demandent à les voir , c’est vraiment des gens sans respect , j’ai honte pour leur curiosité morbide O_O
Merci de ne pas les publier par respect pour sa mémoire et sa famille
Bonne continuation à l’équipe de Dramabeans bisous à vous
Hiya java!
First of all thank you so much for all the wonderful post you have done…the happy and the sad ones.
What happen was and is extremely sad and i understand completely how you feel. But even if you did post…..you would do it in a nice way.
I just want to say whatever you do I’m with you and thanks for it all.
take care!
I wouldn’t expect you to post the pics without doing it in a respectful manner. This is a sad time for the friends and family of Jang Ja-Yeon and any posting of the funeral should be done in good taste.
I am sure you would do it nicely if you choose to post. But really – it is a funeral. Why wouldn’t the paparazzi leave them alone to mourn?
Jang Ja Yeon – R.I.P.