[New York Diary] Goodbye, Chandler Bing

Stories from Everyday Life in America, Straight from New York

"The one where we all lost a friend."

Starting from the 29th of last month (local time), bouquets and fan letters began to pile up in front of a building in West Village, Manhattan, New York, USA. People who heard the sudden news of actor Matthew Perry's death the night before started gathering one by one. The pouring rain and sudden cold weather did not stop fans from coming to bid their final farewell to him.

By the afternoon of the 30th, about 90 fans were already standing at the intersection in front of the building. A long line had formed in a corner of the building for those wanting to leave messages for Perry. The white board was already filled with writings in various languages: "Thank you for being my friend," "Thank you for being with my childhood," "I will miss you forever." Parker, a man in his 30s living in Queens, New York, said, "I never thought I would feel this way. It feels like I lost a long-time friend."

Usually, about ten people linger in front of this building. It is known as the "Friends Apartment," the setting for the sitcom "Friends," which is regarded as the most successful sitcom in American history. Of course, it only appears occasionally as an exterior shot; the actual filming was done on an indoor set located in Los Angeles.

The popularity of the sitcom Friends, which aired for 10 seasons and 236 episodes, was tremendous. It is no exaggeration to say it was one of the symbols representing American culture in the 1990s. At the time of airing, the average weekly viewership in the U.S. exceeded 25 million. The final episode in 2004 was watched by 52.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s. The 30-second commercial inserted in the finale cost a staggering 2 million dollars. That craze also reached Korea across the ocean. The author is part of the so-called "Friends generation," having rewatched the show dozens of times under the pretext of studying English since school days. Although it has been nearly 20 years since the show ended, Friends is still often played like background music at home.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Chandler Bing, played by Perry, was always ranked among the top characters in popularity polls within Friends. In a survey released last month by Ranker.com, Chandler ranked first among six characters. He is a character who makes unnecessary jokes when uncomfortable, is sarcastic, and not good at giving advice. Although Chandler struggles extremely with human relationships, especially romantic ones, he is a character who admits mistakes and shows growth.

In a memoir published about a year ago, Perry wrote about the role of Chandler: "It was as if someone followed me around for a year, stealing my jokes, copying my habits, and replicating a witty outlook on life despite being tired of the world," adding, "I was Chandler." What makes his death even more heartbreaking is that during the time he enjoyed the greatest popularity as Chandler, bringing laughter and comfort to many, the actor himself was going through dark moments due to drug addiction and treatment that began with painkillers taken after a jet ski accident. After Perry's death, many people are remembering him by watching Friends again. Cable and local broadcasts in the U.S. are airing Friends continuously.

In an online post from a few years ago titled "Why does everyone like Chandler?" the most recommended comment was: "Because I too am awkward, desperate, and desperately in need of love." Many who were awkward, desperate, and earnest found comfort and laughter in him. To another friend who shared my 2030s, I send my final farewell here in New York. Goodbye, Chandler Bing. And may actor Matthew Perry rest in peace there.