Noel Shares Grief Over Father’s Passing on Social Media on the 7th
"Couldn’t Show Him My Happy Smile"
"Will Deeply Reflect and Take Care of Others"
Noel (real name Jang Yong-jun), a rapper and son of the late former lawmaker Jang Je-won, expressed his feelings on the 7th, saying, "It was a time full of fear, despair, depression, and grief." Noel wrote on his social media service (SNS) that afternoon, "I carefully took care of my father (former lawmaker Jang Je-won) for three days," adding, "My heart is very complicated and subtle, perhaps because I never got to show my father the pure and happy smile of a son who decided to live properly again and eventually succeed."
On the morning of the 4th, when the funeral ceremony for former National Assembly member Jang Je-won was held at the Haeundae Paik Hospital funeral hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan, his son Noel bowed his head in front of his father's portrait, immersed in sorrow. Photo by Yonhap News
Noel said, "Looking back, I have made many mistakes throughout my life," and added, "I deeply reflect on them and believe this will be an opportunity for me to live more firmly as a responsible person who knows how to give and take care of precious people, both as the head of a family and as an adult. From now on, I will live more fiercely."
He continued, "Regarding one teaching, I feel both sorry and grateful. It seemed to convey the message to stay alert, not be careless, and live by accumulating good virtues, especially for my mother," and said, "Now, rather than the cold expression I faced at the burial, I think I can keep the image of my father’s kind smile in the portrait and in my memories and recollections."
Noel gained recognition by appearing on Mnet’s hip-hop programs 'High School Rapper' and 'Show Me the Money 6' in 2017. Since then, he has released four full-length albums and several mini-albums and singles, working as a rapper. However, in 2019, he caused a drunk driving traffic accident, and in 2021, he caused controversy by refusing a breathalyzer test and assaulting a police officer. He is scheduled to hold a solo concert at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the 31st of next month.
Former lawmaker Jang was found dead around 11:45 p.m. on the 31st of last month in an officetel in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. A suicide note believed to have been written by Jang was reportedly found at the scene. In November 2015, while serving as a vice president of a university in Busan, he was accused of sexual violence (quasi-rape causing injury) against secretary A and was under police investigation. He reportedly denied all sexual assault allegations during a suspect investigation by the police on the 28th of last month. However, the side of A released a video filmed at a hotel during the incident, causing a stir.
The police decided to close the case with no prosecution due to Jang’s death. Park Hyun-soo, acting chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing held that morning, "Since former lawmaker Jang Je-won has passed away, we plan to soon make a decision of no prosecution." According to Article 108 of the Police Investigation Regulations, when a suspect dies, the police complete the investigation and make a non-prosecution decision.
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