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.
Like You
종현 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
싱겁지 않게 너무 무겁지 않게 (yeah, yeah)
But 가볍지 않게 너무 느끼하지도 않게
날 대하는 게 장난인지 진심인지 (oh god)
분간이 안돼 어느 쪽으로 가야 할지 (몰라)
혼자 고민해도 답은 없잖아 (니 맘이 어떤지)
Oh 너 같은 여자 너 같은 여자
말만 들었지만
Like you (like you)
Like you (like you) 너 같은 여자
Like you (I love)
Like you (girl)
넌 짐작이 안돼
네 맘 예상이 안돼 like you, girl
얘기만 들었지
눈앞에 나타날 줄은 몰랐지 yeah
Like you (like you)
Like you (like you)
Like you (like you)
Like you (uh)
손을 잡아봐 (아직 일러)
궁금한 게 너무 많아
진짜를 궁금해하는데 넌 자꾸만 웃기만 해
Oh girl 너도 웃으면
난 어떻게 하라는 걸까 이건 무슨 의미일까
혼자 고민해도 답은 없잖아 안돼
날 어떻게 느끼고 있는지 궁금해져 (tell me)
Oh 너 같은 여자 너 같은 여자
말만 들었지만 oh
Like you (like you)
Like you (like you) 너 같은 여자
Like you (I love)
Like you (girl)
넌 짐작이 안돼
네 맘 예상이 안돼 like you, girl
얘기만 들었지
눈앞에 나타날 줄은 몰랐지 yeah
안달이 나네 (안달이 나네)
널 더 알고 싶어져
너의 그 맘에 누가 들었는지 난 (간질거려)
니 옆자리가 누군지 나는 몰라도
나를 받아줘
Like you (like you)
Like you (like you) 너 같은 여자
Like you (I love)
Like you (girl)
넌 짐작이 안돼
네 맘 예상이 안돼 like you, girl
얘기만 들었지
눈앞에 나타날 줄은 몰랐지 yeah
Like you, like you, like you, like you
The lyrics of 종현's song "Like You" reflect the confusion and uncertainty of a person who is drawn to someone they have just met. The opening lines of the song capture the singer's desire to approach the person cautiously, not wanting to seem too clingy or be dismissed as unimportant. In the subsequent lines, the singer expresses their amazement at the person's mysterious nature and how it is impossible to determine whether they are genuine or just playing around. They contemplate the possibility of taking a risk and confessing their feelings, but they recognize that there is no easy answer, and they will have to weigh the risks and benefits before acting.
Throughout the song, the singer conveys their attraction to the person's enigmatic aura and how their presence stirs up feelings of curiosity and uncertainty. Despite knowing very little about them, the singer finds them captivating and feels the desire to learn more. The lyrics express the idea that sometimes, attraction does not always make sense, and it is okay to embrace the unknown and be vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
따따따따따
The sound of something repetitive or monotonous, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
싱겁지 않게 너무 무겁지 않게 (yeah, yeah)
Not too bland, not too heavy - a balanced way of approaching something.
But 가볍지 않게 너무 느끼하지도 않게
Keep it light but not too superficial, also not too serious.
날 대하는 게 장난인지 진심인지 (oh god)
Uncertainty about how someone treats the singer, whether seriously or just playing around.
분간이 안돼 어느 쪽으로 가야 할지 (몰라)
Can't distinguish which direction to take, unsure of what to do.
혼자 고민해도 답은 없잖아 (니 맘이 어떤지)
No answer comes even with personal contemplation, the destination uncertain (with the potential of needing someone else to solve it).
날 어떻게 느낄지 궁금해져 가
Curious of how the other person feels about the singer.
Oh 너 같은 여자 너 같은 여자
Someone like the girl, someone else who is just like her (comparing with an unknown but well-liked archetype).
말만 들었지만
Only heard about her, not actually spoken to her or gotten to know her yet.
Like you (like you)
Emphasis on finding someone similar to the archetype mentioned before.
넌 짐작이 안돼
Can't predict the feelings of this kind of woman (based on just their image alone).
네 맘 예상이 안돼 like you, girl
Can't anticipate what she's thinking but still drawn towards that kind of person nonetheless.
얘기만 들었지
Only heard stories about them, so actual knowledge of their personality, likes and dislikes is lacking.
눈앞에 나타날 줄은 몰랐지 yeah
Unexpected presence and revealing of someone.
손을 잡아봐 (아직 일러)
Reaching out for a chance to connect, but still embarrassed or awkward about taking that step.
궁금한 게 너무 많아
Curiosity running high, with many unanswered questions adding to the intrigue.
진짜를 궁금해하는데 넌 자꾸만 웃기만 해
Asking for authenticity, but the girl keeps being playful instead of giving clear answers.
Oh girl 너도 웃으면
Suggesting that if she showed some vulnerability (like laughing), he would feel more comfortable in expressing himself too.
난 어떻게 하라는 걸까 이건 무슨 의미일까
Wondering how to interpret the girl's behavior and what it means for him or their relationship.
날 어떻게 느끼고 있는지 궁금해져 (tell me)
Becoming more and more curious about how she feels towards him and wanting her to be more upfront about it.
안달이 나네 (안달이 나네)
Feeling more and more nervous and unsettled.
널 더 알고 싶어져
Becoming more drawn to her and wanting to get to know her better, resulting in a greater desire for understanding.
너의 그 맘에 누가 들었는지 난 (간질거려)
Curious about whose presence or thoughts occupy her mind, with a sense of discomfort or inner unrest.
니 옆자리가 누군지 나는 몰라도
Knowing little about who her confidante might be, but still wanting to be someone she trusts and can lean on.
나를 받아줘
Asking for acceptance, inviting the girl to let him be someone she can come to and rely on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONG HYUN KIM, JUN HYUCK OH, SOJIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind