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.
Inspiration
종현 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be quiet, I'm so dizzy
I'm so dizzy inspiration
I'm so dizzy
눈 뜨지 말아봐 못된 뜻은 nothing
사실 너랑 같아 첨 느껴봐 나도
감각의 전의를 느낀 적 있지 oh yeah
Break it
어지러워 너를 볼 때면
머리가 복잡해져
또 널 내 품에 안을 때면 hoo
Be quiet
I'm so dizzy yeah
I'm so dizzy, I'm so dizzy
I'm so dizzy
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed, is needed, is needed)
감았던 눈을 빤히 뜰 때
계속된 혼란과 마주해
간만에 했던가 기억도 흐릿해
너 나 역할이 불분명해
누가 먼전진 상관없어
주도권은 어차피 내 쪽
내 쪽 Inspiration
Be quiet
I'm so dizzy
I'm so dizzy
I'm so dizzy inspiration
I'm so dizzy
어지러워 너를 볼 때면 (be quiet, I'm so dizzy)
머리가 복잡해져 또 널 내 품에 안을 때면
어지러워 너를 볼 때면 머리가 복잡해져
또 널 내 품에 안을 때면 (I'm so dizzy)
어지러워 너를 볼 때면 (I'm so dizzy)
머리가 복잡해져 (I'm so dizzy)
또 널 내 품에 안을 때면 hoo
The lyrics of 종현's "Inspiration" capture the dizzying feeling of being consumed by inspiration. The song portrays the overwhelming sensation of losing track of time and space while being lost in a creative flow. The lyrics ask the listener to be quiet and enjoy the moment, as the powerful emotions take over. The artist compares this feeling to being in a hypnotic state where the outside world no longer exists. The song's repetition of the line, "a lot of inspiration is needed," emphasizes the relentlessness of the need to create and the struggle to maintain a balance amidst the chaos of artistic expression.
Throughout the song, the lyrics convey a sense of disorientation, equating this with the process of creation. The artist recognizes that creative expression can be confusing at times and that the lines between the artist and the art can become blurred. The song concludes with the affirmation that the artist has control over the creative process, as they hold the reins of their own inspiration. The lyrics implore the listener to embrace their creativity and let it guide them.
Overall, "Inspiration" serves as an ode to the chaotic beauty of creative inspiration, capturing the dizzying exhilaration of losing oneself in the creative process.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Expression of excitement or encouragement
Be quiet, I'm so dizzy
Asking for silence due to feeling overwhelmed
I'm so dizzy inspiration
Feeling overwhelmed with ideas and creativity
눈 뜨지 말아봐 못된 뜻은 nothing
Don't open your eyes, there's nothing wrong or negative here
사실 너랑 같아 첨 느껴봐 나도
In fact, I feel the same way as you for the first time
감각의 전의를 느낀 적 있지 oh yeah
I've felt the anticipation of feeling something new before, oh yeah
넌 내가 몇 번짼지 기억해 놔야 해 넌
You have to remember how many times I've done this before
Break it
Action urging to break through something and make it happen
A lot of inspiration is needed (is needed)
Emphasis on the need for a large amount of creativity and ideas
감았던 눈을 빤히 뜰 때
When you finally open your eyes that were closed
계속된 혼란과 마주해
Facing continuous confusion
간만에 했던가 기억도 흐릿해
Even memories of things done not long ago are vague
너 나 역할이 불분명해
It's unclear what our roles are
누가 먼전진 상관없어
It doesn't matter who's ahead in the distance
주도권은 어차피 내 쪽
Anyway, I have the lead
내 쪽 Inspiration
My own inspiration and creativity
어지러워 너를 볼 때면
Feeling dizzy when I see you
머리가 복잡해져
My head becomes more complicated
또 널 내 품에 안을 때면
Also feeling dizzy when I hold you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Imlay, Jong Hyun Kim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind