Jonghyun has been active in music since he was in junior high school. He was in a band and participated in many festivals in his area. In his band, he was not a vocalist but a bassist. The band's name was "ZION" and during one of its shows, he was scouted by SM. Before his debut with SHINee, he sang a duet with Zhang Li Yin in the song “交错的爱 (Wrongly Given Love)” for her Chinese album.
Jonghyun was discovered at the 2005 S.M. Casting System. In 2008, he was chosen as a member of the group Shinee, the 5-member boy group debuted on May 25, 2008 on SBS's Inkigayo.
In November 2010, it was revealed by SM Entertainment that Jonghyun, along with TRAX’s Jay, Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, and rookie singer, Jino, had formed a project group, S.M. The Ballad, under their label. The group focuses more on ballad rather than pop and R&B themes. The group released their debut album, "너무 그리워 (Miss You)", on November 29, 2010. They debuted on November 28, 2010 on SBS's Inkigayo with their lead single, "너무 그리워 (Miss You)". They also promoted another single from the album, "Hot Times (시험하지 말기)".
In February 4, 2014, SM Entertainment revealed that SM The Ballad will make a comeback with new members, Jonghyun being the only one from the original formation. It was later revealed that he would be singing, together with Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, the title track of the new album, "숨소리 (Breath)".
In October 2010, Jonghyun was one of twenty idols from various South Korean groups that recorded the song, "Let's Go," for the purpose of increasing public participation in the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit. He provided vocals along with label-mates Sungmin, Seohyun and Luna.
In the 4th mini album "Sherlock", Jonghyun had written the two songs "늘 그자리에 (Honesty)" and "알람시계 (Alarm Clock)". The song "Honesty" is written to give thanks to their fans who have stayed by their side with unchanging love until now. The other song, "Alarm Clock" which is also co-written with fellow member Minho, is about wishing to wake up from a nightmare of past break-up. He also wrote for multiple SHINee songs including "너와 나의 거리 (Selene 6.23)" (album "The Misconceptions of Us") and "상사병 (Symptoms)" (album "Everybody"). Jonghyun fully composed the collaboration track with IU, "Gloomy Clock" in IU's 3rd album "Modern Times". He also fully composed, wrote and lead the vocal direction for Son Dam Bi's digital single, "Red Candle". Not only did Jonghyun compose and write the song, he also took part in the vocal directing. The lyrics relate the characteristics of a candle to someone in love, who feels excited and nervous at the same time.
As a DJ for MBC FM4U's midnight radio show "Blue Night" Jonghyun has revealed his newly written songs on his radio show which he has prepared for a special corner called "Blue Night Lyrics, That Man's Composition". Back in June, DJ Jonghyun tweeted: “As I started Blue Night, I contemplated on how to incorporate myself well into the program… As expected, the conclusion is communicating with listeners and music! That’s why I have prepared a project where I personally write a song pertaining to a listener’s story and let you hear it. The name of the corner is ‘Blue Night Lyrics, That Man Composition’. It won’t be aired every week, but it will be aired once every few months as a special corner, so please send in a lot of stories. I’m accepting stories through the homepage.”
MBC FM4U have revealed starting from July 7th, they will be releasing the self-composed and self-written songs of Jonghyun. Furthermore it was stated that Jonghyun has written a total of 7 songs and that they will be revealed succession over several weeks.
On December 18th, 2017, Jonghyun was found in his apartment unconscious after what evidence has pointed out was most likely a suicide attempt. He passed away while emergency services were transporting him to the hospital.
데자-부
종현 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
옆으로 붙어 넌 날 밀어내 (one, two, three, yeah)
(네) 눈을 가리고 (다시)
옆으로 붙어 (넌)
또 날 밀어내 (déjà-boo, singing)
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool
뒤돌지 말기로 해 처음 봐도 낯설지 않아
모른 척 (척) 말기로 해 눈빛이 마주쳤잖아 (hey)
Stay, oh, it's a déjà vu
어디서 본 것 같은데
어디서 본 것 같아
Déjà-boo, girl
Stay, oh, girl, déjà vu
어디서 본 것 같은데
어디서 본 것 같은데 yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Stop it, play (stop it, stop it, play)
Oh 쥐락펴락해 날 (oh, yeah) 놓치진 말아줘
Don't move, please sit
내게 필요한 건 오직 너뿐이잖아
너도 내 눈을 보고 있잖아
막 리듬처럼 널 갖고 놀아
난 지치지 않아 baby, stay, my lady, baby
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool (cool)
뒤돌지 말기로 해 처음 봐도 낯설지 않아
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool (cool)
모른 척 (척) 말기로 해 눈빛이 마주쳤잖아 (hey)
Stay, oh, it's a déjà vu
어디서 본 것 같은데
어디서 본 것 같아
Déjà-boo, girl
Stay, oh, girl, déjà vu
어디서 본 것 같은데
어디서 본 것 같은데 yeah, yeah
원래 난 자주자주 두리번거리지 그러다 보면 (hey)
안녕 자기 (자기야) 모르는 여자들이 말을 걸곤 하지
Wow (wow) wow (wow) 소리를 질렀어
난 wow (wow) wow (wow) hey, ho
You're my déjà-boo
나 분명 널 어디서 봤고
언제 본건지 상관이 없고
기억도 안나 어디서 봤나
생각해 내봐 please, girl
물론 다 거짓 가만뒀다간
널 물듯 덤빌 놈 뻔히 보이니깐
내가 지켜야지 남들 같진 않지
눈치보고 어색하지 않게
Stay, oh, it's a déjà vu
Oh, déjà vu 난 널 봤다고 그래 봤잖아?
난 남들 같지 않아
걔들처럼 네 눈물 쏙 빼고 튀지 않아 (oh)
You're my déjà-boo
나 분명 널 어디서 봤고
언제 본건지 상관이 없고
계속 언젠지 생각만 하고 (I go)
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (ho!)
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Okay, next
The lyrics of 종현's song 데자-부 convey the feeling of déjà vu as the title suggests. The first verse describes a situation where the singer feels like they have experienced the moment before, as if they were living the scene again. The second verse introduces the idea of staying in the moment and not acknowledging the familiarity to keep it cool. The chorus repeats the words "déjà vu" several times, emphasizing that this feeling of repetition has happened before. The bridge delivers a more confident message where the singer acknowledges that they've seen this person before and does not want to let them slip away.
The song's repetition and dreamy melody emphasize the déjà vu feeling. The musical arrangement supports the lyrics by creating a sense of a familiar, almost nostalgic, moment. The refrain of "la" maintains the dreamy atmosphere while the electric guitar and synth chords reinforce it. The overall sound and mood of the song echo Jonghyun's versatile style as an artist who can convey different emotions through his songs.
Overall, the lyrics and musical elements of 데자-부 work together in perfect harmony to create a nostalgic and dreamy feeling, which is precisely what déjà vu feels like. Jonghyun's interpretation of déjà vu in this song is fresh and unique, and it's a testament to his talent as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
(네) 눈칠 살피고 (a-ha)
You're keeping a close watch on me with your eyes (a-ha)
옆으로 붙어 넌 날 밀어내 (one, two, three, yeah)
You're pushing me away, even though you're standing close to me (one, two, three, yeah)
(네) 눈을 가리고 (다시)
You're covering your eyes (again)
옆으로 붙어 (넌) 또 날 밀어내 (déjà-boo, singing)
You're standing next to me and pushing me away again (déjà-boo, singing)
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool
Stay with me, be cool (Woo, woo, woo)
뒤돌지 말기로 해 처음 봐도 낯설지 않아
Let's not look back, even though we're meeting for the first time, it doesn't feel strange
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool (cool)
Stay with me and be cool (cool) (Woo, woo, woo)
모른 척 (척) 말기로 해 눈빛이 마주쳤잖아 (hey)
Let's pretend like we don't know each other, but our eyes have met (hey)
Stay, oh, it's a déjà vu
Stay with me, it feels like déjà vu
어디서 본 것 같은데 어디서 본 것 같아
It feels like I've seen you somewhere before, I don't know where
Déjà-boo, girl
It's like déjà vu, girl
Stay, oh, girl, déjà vu 어디서 본 것 같은데 yeah, yeah
Stay with me, girl, it feels like déjà vu, I don't know where, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey), la, la, la, la, la (stay)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (oh, oh, oh, oh)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Stop it, play (stop it, stop it, play)
Stop it, play (stop it, stop it, play)
Oh 쥐락펴락해 날 (oh, yeah) 놓치진 말아줘
You're playing hot and cold with me (oh, yeah), don't let me go
Don't move, please sit 내게 필요한 건 오직 너뿐이잖아
Don't leave, please stay, you're the only one I need
너도 내 눈을 보고 있잖아 막 리듬처럼 널 갖고 놀아
You're looking into my eyes too, let's play with each other like a rhythm
난 지치지 않아 baby, stay, my lady, baby
I won't get tired, baby, stay with me, my lady, baby
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool (cool)
Stay with me and be cool (cool) (Woo, woo, woo)
원래 난 자주자주 두리번거리지 그러다 보면 (hey)
I usually wander around aimlessly, if I keep doing that (hey)
안녕 자기 (자기야) 모르는 여자들이 말을 걸곤 하지
Hello, sweetheart (hey), girls I don't know often start talking to me
Wow (wow) wow (wow) 소리를 질렀어 난 wow (wow) wow (wow) hey, ho
Wow (wow), I let out a sound, wow (wow), hey, ho
You're my déjà-boo
You're my déjà-boo
나 분명 널 어디서 봤고 언제 본건지 상관이 없고 기억도 안나 어디서 봤나
I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before, it doesn't matter when or where, I don't remember
생각해 내봐 please, girl
Think about it, please, girl
물론 다 거짓 가만뒀다간 널 물듯 덤빌 놈 뻔히 보이니깐
Of course it's all lies, if I keep quiet, it's obvious that I'll be seen as someone who only wants to use you
내가 지켜야지 남들 같진 않지 눈치보고 어색하지 않게
I have to protect you, I'm not like other guys, let's not be awkward and look around nervously
Oh, déjà vu 난 널 봤다고 그래 봤잖아?
Oh, déjà vu, I told you I've seen you before, right?
난 남들 같지 않아 걔들처럼 네 눈물 쏙 빼고 튀지 않아 (oh)
I'm not like other guys, I won't just take your tears and run away (oh)
계속 언젠지 생각만 하고 (I go)
I just keep thinking about when this will happen (I go)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (ho!)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (ho!)
Okay, next
Okay, next
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Hae Sol Kim, Jong Hyun Kim, Jin Soh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lunaa764
jonghyun put his heart into this track & u can just tell he had so much fun in the studio :) there’s a certain playful type of vibe in this song and it feels 100% genuine, and it’s infectious. ending it with “ok… next!” like bro!!! love hearing him in his element. his solo music was a blessing to the kpop industry.
@Devilwoman
Happy birthday, love. :) Hope you're well wherever you are.
@csilla3804
Fantastic album, He was a brilliant man ...... Tears well up in my eyes that he is no longer with us ...... Forever Jonghyun!
@dannytaisho6423
Te amo precioso 🥰
@ryblinkhopkinson874
There was one thing I had to make sure I listened to today. It's this truly amazing song by this absolutely beautiful angel. He was one of the first artists I heard in Korean music with his beautiful feature on IU's Gloomy Clock. This was back in 2018 from what I remember. He is my favourite guy ever in music. I found him so relatable but at the same time not relatable because he is special on levels I never could dare to be. I don't listen to males anywhere near as much as females but when they are truly special like this I do.
After losing the truly special and beautiful Hana Kimura for the same reason as Jonghyun this year it's going to be an emotional moment. I feel both Jonghyun and Hana give me hope though. The fact that I even existed during the same time as either of those Angels make me feel truly blessed. I just wish we could have helped them more. They have saved so many lives and it's so sad the same couldn't be done for them.
I'll be starting this song at around 23:56:31 tonight so the last two immortal words of Jonghyun's lead me into the next year. I'm not sure if I did or didn't hear this last year as I fell asleep not too long before of after from what I remember. This will always be something I do every New Years when I can though. I know I did it the year before that and this will bring a peace to me after one of the hardest personal years ever in my life. Also for so many others too. Thank you Jonghyun you were and are the best. I love you <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
@kr7492
Art.
@livelaughloveshinee
I love this so much omgg
@antoniagarcia6634
La sensación más placentera para mis oídos
@unapibaconcultura2598
Belleza como siempre uwu
@user-gj1ig7ro4n
Our 5hinning Moon❤