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.
Happy Birthday
종현 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
생일 축하해 이 말 밖엔
Happy birthday, happy birthday
니가 태어난 게 내겐 마냥 축복인 거지
Oh 이 밤에
내 목소릴 듣는 게
전부인 선물이지만
줄게 이것뿐이야 난
내가 숨 쉰 이유
It's you
Happy birthday, happy birthday
생일 축하해 이 말 밖엔
Happy birthday, happy birthday
니가 태어난 게 내겐 마냥 축복인 거지
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh)
No, no
Ooh, happy birthday to you (you)
행복하길 바래
Happy birthday to you, huh
In the song "Happy Birthday" by 종현, the lyrics convey a heartfelt celebration of someone's birthday. The repetition of the phrase "Happy birthday, happy birthday" emphasizes the joyous occasion and the well-wishes being expressed. The singer states that aside from these birthday greetings, there is nothing else to say or give but these words of celebration.
The lyrics further express the singer's perspective on the birthday celebrant. It is revealed that the fact of their birth is seen as a blessing to the singer, as they see it as a personal gift. The singer believes that the sound of their voice being heard by the birthday person is the only present that matters on this special night. This sentiment highlights the importance of their connection and the impact the birthday person has had on the singer's life.
Amidst the chaos and confusion of the world, the singer acknowledges that the reason for their existence and the purpose they find in life is because of the birthday person. This portrayal demonstrates a deep love, gratitude, and reliance on their presence. The birthday person has become the driving force behind the singer's happiness and the reason for their existence. It is through this recognition that the singer expresses their sincere and profound wishes for happiness on their birthday.
The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, "Happy birthday to you," where the singer once again expresses their desire for the birthday person to find happiness on this special day. This repetition serves to reinforce the sincerity and importance of these wishes. Through these lyrics, the song captures the essence of celebrating a birthday and the meaningful impact a person can have on someone's life, making it a truly special and blessed occasion.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Wishing you a joyful celebration of your birthday
생일 축하해 이 말 밖엔
This is the only thing I can say to congratulate you on your birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Wishing you a joyful celebration of your birthday
니가 태어난 게 내겐 마냥 축복인 거지
Your birth is nothing but a blessing to me
Oh 이 밤에
Oh, on this night
내 목소릴 듣는 게
The only gift I have is you listening to my voice
전부인 선물이지만
Although it is my only gift
줄게 이것뿐이야 난
I will give you only this
어지러운 이 세상에
In this chaotic world
내가 숨 쉰 이유
You are the reason I breathe
It's you
It's all because of you
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh)
No, no
Not just that
Ooh, happy birthday to you (you)
I hope you have a happy birthday
행복하길 바래
I wish for your happiness
Happy birthday to you, huh
Happy birthday to you, huh
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONG HYUN KIM, JUN HYUCK OH, SOJIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind