On April 19, 2025, k-pop band ASTRO released “Memory of the Moon”, a single that remembers Moonbin on the second anniversary of his death. The release was preceded by a press release from their agency, maybe two weeks before, and little else.
For some reason, this song is being met with criticism online, with some Netizens accusing member Cha Eun Woo of trying to profit from Moonbin’s death. The criticism is so ridiculous for a number of reasons.
Two Years Is Not Too Long to Grieve
Some claim that since Moonbin’s death was two years ago, everyone should be “over it.” This claim is ignorant at best and malicious at worst. The message’s subtext is that in this modern era, it seems excessive for the band to release a song about “old news.” For a group of bandmates who spent seven years living and performing together both as ASTRO and a number of years as trainees before they premiered, the impact of any one member’s loss would doubtless be felt deeply. In the two years since, each of the surviving members (as well as his friends from other bands) has released music that has helped them process their grief.
Cha Eun Woo’s “Where Am I” on his “Entity” Album is allegedly a tribute (and which he choked up trying to sing in a concert and subsequently removed it from his playlist).
Yoon Sanha released a solo album, “Dive” on which “Losing My Mind” and “Yeowoobyul” elicit memories of Moonbin and Sanha’s grief.
Jinjin released a duet called “Fly”, featuring Moonbin’s voice last year on the first anniversary of Moonbin’s death.
In addition to “Fly”, Jinjin has released a number of songs that focus on encouraging and supporting those who are struggling, including “Self-Esteem”, “Carry On”, and “Good Enough”.
Rocky, who did not renew his contract and thus left the band months before Moonbin’s death, released a single “We Still Love You.”
Even “Circles”, the first release by the new downsized ASTRO, is about moving on.
These artists turned to their craft to help them process their grief and offered the results to their fans who also have not forgotten him. By implying that these singular efforts should suffice and that the artists should be unaffected moving forward, these critics show they have either never had the misfortune of grieving deeply for someone or are ignoring the reality of grief. Two years is not a long time. The sharp pangs of grief don’t hit quite as sharply or as frequently, but the person’s absence is still palpable.
Acknowledgment of Grief is Critical
There is a suicide pandemic in Korea. I can’t speak for the causes or how to mitigate it, but songs that seek to comfort those who struggle can hardly be considered harmful. They are not substitutes for mental health counseling, policy change, or a culture shift that alleviates the stresses that drive people to an early death. However, music has an incredible ability to resonate with listeners, who can find solace or relief from music. Whether that comfort reaches someone contemplating suicide or those left behind to grieve someone, music can alter moods. I can speak personally for the healing effects of ASTRO’s music, as their music accompanied me on my own grief journey.
Also, while Korea continues to grapple with people who often feel abandoned and choose an early end to their suffering, songs magnifying the love and remembrance others have for someone lost speak a truth that needs to be acknowledged. When someone dies, loved ones are left behind to endure.
Cha Eun Woo Isn’t Using This Song To Gain Fame
One particularly absurd claim is that Cha Eun Woo is utilizing Moonbin’s name for attention. This is, of course, ridiculous. During the first three weeks of April, I visited South Korea. In that time, I saw Cha Eun Woo every single day. The boy has endorsement deals with so many companies that not a day went by where I didn’t see him advertising some product or store. His image greeted me from the sides of buses, billboards outside Gwanghamun Square, a bus stop near Yeouida Park, a North Face store in Myeongdong, a cellular company in Suwon, an ad on the subway screen, and many more I’ve forgotten. In other words, if he’s supposedly after fame by name-dropping, it’s completely unnecessary. He’s already the most ubiquitous model in Korea.
“Memory of the Moon” Is a Collaboration
If this song were just about promoting ASTRO, it would be only by ASTRO. Instead, it was a collaboration of 22 artists, including:
- Jinjin, MJ, Cha Eun Woo and Yoon Sanha of ASTRO,
- Rocky, former ASTRO member
- VIVIZ
- Minhyuk, Kihyun, and I.M from MONSTA X
- Hospital, Wonwoo, Mingyu, DK, and Seungkwan from SEVENTEEN
- HELLO GLOOM
- SF9’s Chani
- Bang Chan from Stray Kids
- Other friends, and
- Moonbin’s sister Moon Sua (from Billie)
The fact that the project includes Moonbin’s sister debunks the claim that this song doesn’t have the support of the family.
This Song Is Not a Money Grab
Finally, any claims that this song is exploitative and essentially a money grab are entirely absurd. Usually, when one hopes to earn a profit from a song, one heavily promotes it. In this case, I learned about the impending release of the song only because I follow the band’s social media accounts. I visited countless K-POP shops around Seoul looking for ASTRO discography. They occupied a small section wherever they appeared (which was not everywhere). There were no posters or physical signage of any kind in any K-pop shop announcing the release of the song. Nor, after the 19th, was a CD single on sale anywhere.
I’m no economist, but I’m pretty sure that to profit financially from exploiting someone’s memory in a song, it would be helpful to sell it.
Conclusion: Haters, Sit Down
Applying even the slightest bit of critical thinking should make it clear that the complaints about ASTRO are utterly unfounded. It’s sad that netizens have nothing better to do that strike up controversy where none exists. Perhaps that energy would be put to better use attacking the system that harms people and not those that work to heal others.
