Rapper Noel, who suddenly lost his father, shared his complicated feelings after the funeral.
Noel's father, former lawmaker Jang Je-won, was accused of sexual assault (quasi-rape injury) against his secretary, A, in November 2015 while serving as the vice president of a university in Busan. However, the deceased firmly denied the allegations against A, asserting his innocence.
On the 27th of last month, A's side released a video suspected to have been filmed in a hotel room in Gangnam at the time, and A's side planned to hold a press conference on the morning of the 1st to explain the details of the complaint.
However, former lawmaker Jang Je-won was found dead at around 11:40 p.m. on the 31st of last month in an officetel in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, the day before the press conference following a police investigation. The deceased's mortuary was set up at Haeundae Baek Hospital, and his only son, Jang Yong-jun, received mourners with his mother.
Previously, former lawmaker Jang Je-won had publicly apologized to the nation due to several controversies surrounding his son Noel. In 2017, Noel was embroiled in a controversy regarding the private life of a minor while appearing on 'High School Rapper,' and in September 2019, he was caught driving under the influence, leading to incidents of assault while intoxicated in February 2021. He faced criticism for issues related to social media remarks and a incident on September 2021 involving refusal to undergo breath analysis under the Road Traffic Act and driving without a license.
Afterwards, former lawmaker Jang Je-won expressed his remorse for his son's controversies, stating, "I will reflect deeply on the sin of a father who raised his child poorly and will take time to repent. Though my son has not committed a crime, I will earnestly fulfill my role as a father, which I have not been able to do until now. I once again bow my head in apology to the people and the local residents who raised me."
Due to controversies surrounding his son and allegations of sexual crimes against himself, former lawmaker Jang Je-won withdrew from politics and ultimately ended his life.
Noel posted on his social media on the 7th, "I have cared for my father sincerely for three days. On the day of the funeral, I don't know whether to be happy because the weather is particularly clear and warm, or to feel sorrow, as I still feel as though sadness has not touched my skin."
He expressed his complicated feelings by saying, "Whether it's because I'm dumbfounded, or due to the sadness of having not spent even one meal together just before my father's birthday, or the guilt I feel for having only been a stumbling block to my father during significant crossroads in his life, or perhaps because I have never shown my father the pure and happy smile I would have had if I decided to live properly, my heart is truly complicated and delicate."
He continued, "It was an incredibly fearful, overwhelming, depressed, and mournful time. However, looking back, I have made many mistakes in my life and, in deep reflection about them, I believe this will be an opportunity to become a responsible person who can cherish important people and know how to give back, whether as a head of a household or as an adult. I will live even more intensely in the future."
Noel also left a short letter to his father, former lawmaker Jang Je-won, saying, "If you have any worries now, please share them with grandfather who is beside you. Please do not hide your gentle heart while carrying everything on your shoulders and rest in peace. I love you more than words can express."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]