People forget how much Taiwan has sacrificed for its freedoms.
I was recently in the ballroom where the end of martial law was declared (Grand Hotel, Taipei). After, I visited the Nylon Cheng (鄭南榕) memorial museum, where his daughter told me about his tragic self-immolation.
Cheng fought and died for freedom of speech. His publication, Freedom Era Weekly, was the subject of constant state harassment. After he published a proposal for a constitution for the Republic of Taiwan, he was charged with sedition, and ordered to appear before court.
He wouldn't go.
He stayed in his locked office for 71 days. Eventually, as the police prepared to storm the building to arrest him, he sent his family to shelter from the coming blaze, and set his own office on fire.
Today, the charred remains of that office are preserved as they were. Even the burned boots he was wearing when he died. His daughter (鄭竹梅) now shows people around the museum. She showed me the last letter she wrote him. She was too young to understand what was happening. Showing it to me, 37 years later, she was still visibly upset.
Cheng's story of self-sacrifice was not unique. 30 years since their first presidential elections, some foreign onlookers doubt the power of these raw memories in the collective Taiwanese consciousness, and the yearning they represent.
Some even speculate about the commitment of Taiwan to its democracy. I don't understand this. Everywhere I go, I encounter the spirit that gave rise to a figure like Nylon Cheng, together with a profound understanding of the price of democracy that, frankly, puts many in my own country to shame.
Remembering him today, and on April 7th, now an official day to honour his memory. Do visit the museum if you're in Taipei. https://t.co/0fFjJpFxtn
#SHINee Is Back This May with ‘SHINee WORLD VIII: THE INVERT’ — Key to Resume Activities
This concert marks their first new solo concert in a year as a four-member group. True to the title “INVERT,” which means “to flip” or “to transform,” the show is expected to present SHINee’s musical world through unique staging and a fresh perspective.
Ticket sales for the concert will be conducted via Melon Ticket, with fan club pre-sales opening on March 30 at 8 PM and general sales on April 1 at 8 PM kst
🔗https://t.co/N0rSV2KZkU
FINALLY! @SHINee's KEY is here with his own show in New York! So excited to visit KEYLAND UNCANNY VALLEY!
Have a great show, KEY! And enjoy, Shawols + Lil Freaks! 🩵🩷
#HUNTER is for the misfits. It is a reassuring reminder that the good and bad are what make us human, and it is more than okay to be flawed!
Read Genius Korea’s review of #KEY of @SHINee’s latest album now!
https://t.co/JklIWa4L5W
Baseball player Kondo Kensuke whose theme song is SHINee’s Boys Meet U, talks about how he first started using it because he liked the song and then during his winning season he got tones of messages from grateful Shawols,so he has no plans of changing it.
https://t.co/sTVhue4HGG
KEY on SHINee being a reference for K-Pop Demon Hunters creators
"When I heard that, I guessed they're probably referencing our iconic looks when we did bright concept. Colorful outfits, aspects such as dance, sense of stability that comes from odd-number members [...]
Six years ago today, it rained a lot in Hong Kong too. One big difference between August 18th, 2019, and August 18th, 2025: the scenes in Victoria Park. Also, there being 1.7 million pro-democracy protestors out on the streets of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Admiralty in 2019.🥹