Jang Geun Suk On The Streets, ‘Sometimes A Hug Is All We Need’
Of course, we all would want a hug from our favorite celebrities, but oftentimes as fans we are put at arms length of them, and can only see them from afar, or if we're lucky enough and get close enough we can get to give them a gift or get a handshake. But rarely do we get a hug, unless it was part of an event. It is pretty certain our favorite idols and celebrities would like to have a hug from us also. What happens though if someone, not necessarily our idol but just a random person offers a free hug on the streets?
The first time I visited Seoul, I saw these "Free Hug" signs on the streets of Insadong and Myeongdong. Being from a Western culture, I found it weird at first, thinking it was some sort of joke or similar. But, when I saw the people giving these 'free hugs' I saw the genuine smile on their faces and it fascinated me. I wondered what the commotion was all about, and I remembered being back in my university in California eons ago, where a similar thing happened after tragic events. And I realized that indeed these 'free hugs' serve a purpose. It serves to establish some kind of human connection and belonging, a brief moment in time when we learn that whether they know about our story or not, people can be there for each other.
In these tough times, depression is a global phenomenon and it is even more pronounced in Korea and Japan, which leads to these two countries getting the highest suicide tendencies. Hence, the 'free hug' movement is more prominent in these places too - with social activist and religious organizations getting involved in 'free hug' campaigns in all the busiest corners of their megapolitan cities.
Recently, actor turned idol Jang Geun Suk joined this type of activism. On behalf of his Team H and in conjunction with the success of their recent album release, he donned a monkey mask in the middle of Tokyo and gave away hugs for quite a bit of time in a day. While he turned to Twitter to announce that he was going to do the event, the costume he wore disguised him, and made the effort more memorable. In the midst of the dizzying scurry of Tokyo that night, he was just another random human dressed up as a monkey giving away free hugs to whomever wanted it. While he later revealed his whereabouts and disguise, again, on his Twitter, the anonymity lent by his disguise allowed Geun Suk the sincerity needed by such an effort.
The actor is no stranger to depression himself, having admitted to succumbing to it in 2011. Yes, even in his fame, Jang Geun Suk felt depressed and exhausted. While others would characterize this as a burnout, regardless of the reasons or the justifications, depression is depression. Shedding some light on such a taboo topic, he revealed then that he felt depressed due to the alienation he experiences whenever he got too busy and had no quality time to spend with friends and loved ones. During his darkest hours at the height of his depression, he confessed that he didn't get out of his house for nearly two months. Why is this now important, you ask? It just makes his 'Free Hug' campaign in the middle of Tokyo even more meaningful. Having gone through those times of loneliness, depression and isolation himself, Geun Suk knows firsthand that sometimes a hug is all we need. That day, while others he hugged may have received some comfort and love from an otherwise tiring and desolate day, Geun Suk also was able to ground himself even in his fame. He needed those hugs as much as those he gave them to needed it.
It is definitely refreshing to see celebrities like Geun Suk who take time from their busy days to involve themselves in meaningful events such as this. It is even more comforting to know that their celebrity status is a good way to give reminders that while popularity is important, human connection is even more important. In a few 140-character messages through his Twitter, and sometime spent sweating underneath a monkey mascot costume, Jang Geun Suk sent a powerful message and stand on depression, mental health, and humanity.
Photo Credit: Jang Geun Suk Twitter