Jonghyun had been active in music since he was in junior high school. He was in a band called ZION and participated in many music festivals in his area. He was the band's bassist. During one of the band's show performance Jonghyun was scouted by SM Entertainment. 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.
놓아줘 Let Me Out
JongHyun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
시선이 떨어진 건 널 잃어서가 아니야 그냥 난 널
죽도록 보고파도 안을 수 없단 걸 알아 당연히
우리 손이 놓아진 그때부터 내 두 눈이 멀었어
이제 누구라도 좋아
세상에 지친 날 누가 좀 제발 안아줘
힘들어하는 날 제발 먼저 눈치채줘
못난 날 알아줘
제발 날 도와줘
너의 눈이 차갑게 날 감싸도 난 이미 몸을 버렸어
이젠 아무래도 좋아
세상에 지친 날 누가 좀 제발 안아줘
눈물에 젖은 날 누가 좀 닦아줘
힘들어하는 날 제발 먼저 눈치채줘
못난 날 알아줘
제발 날 도와줘
날 용서할 수 없는 난
그래 널 용서할 수 없는 난
계속 날 울리고 또 너를 그리고 옛날을 원하고 있어
좀만 더 가면 돼 한 발짝만 더 디디면 모든 게 끝나
미련하게 잡고 있지마 날 그만 놓아줘
(이젠 아무래도 좋아)
세상에 지친 날 누가 좀 제발 안아줘
눈물에 젖은 날 누가 좀 닦아줘
힘들어하는 날 제발 먼저 눈치채줘
못난 날 알아줘
제발 날 도와줘
In this emotive song, JongHyun expresses his feelings of desperation and loneliness since losing his loved one. He is haunted by memories of her and unable to move on, even though he knows that she's gone. JongHyun reveals that ever since he let go of her hand, he's been lost and that he can't move on despite desperately wanting to. He begs for help, reminding anyone listening that he's just a person who needs someone to hold him and offer comfort.
JongHyun sings about his inability to forgive himself or her for their mistakes and how he's been holding onto her memory even though he should let go. However, the lyrics suggest that he's aware that he won't be able to heal until he's able to let her go and forgive himself. The song ultimately resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak or loss and is struggling to move on with their lives.
Overall, Let Me Out is a hauntingly beautiful song, highlighted by JongHyun's soulful voice and moving lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
시선이 떨어진 건 널 잃어서가 아니야 그냥 난 널
I am not looking away because I lost you, it's just that I miss you so much that I can't bear to look at you.
죽도록 보고파도 안을 수 없단 걸 알아 당연히
I know it's natural that I can't hug you even though I'm dying to see you.
우리 손이 놓아진 그때부터 내 두 눈이 멀었어
Ever since we let go of each other's hands, my eyes have been blinded.
세상에 지친 날 누가 좀 제발 안아줘
Someone please embrace me who is tired of this world.
눈물에 젖은 날 누가 좀 닦아줘
Someone please wipe away my tears.
힘들어하는 날 제발 먼저 눈치채줘
Please notice me when I'm struggling.
못난 날 알아줘
Please understand me even when I'm not at my best.
제발 날 도와줘
Please help me.
너의 눈이 차갑게 날 감싸도 난 이미 몸을 버렸어
Even if your cold eyes embrace me, I have already abandoned my body.
날 용서할 수 없는 난
I cannot forgive myself.
그래 널 용서할 수 없는 난
Yes, I can't forgive you either.
계속 날 울리고 또 너를 그리고 옛날을 원하고 있어
I keep hurting myself, continuously longing for you and wishing to go back to the past.
좀만 더 가면 돼 한 발짝만 더 디디면 모든 게 끝나
Just a little more, if I take one more step, everything will be over.
미련하게 잡고 있지마 날 그만 놓아줘
Don't hold onto me foolishly, just let me go.
(이젠 아무래도 좋아)
(It doesn't matter to me anymore.)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Score, Jin Soh, Jong Hyun Kim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind