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.
데자-부
JongHyun 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 song "Déjà-Boo" by JONGHYUN and Zion. T is a funky and upbeat track about falling in love with someone who feels familiar, like a déjà vu. The lyrics describe the excitement of being near this person, despite the push and pull of their interactions. The catchy "stay, oh, cool" refrain highlights the desire to hold onto the feeling of the moment, not wanting it to end.
Throughout the song, JONGHYUN and Zion. T's vocals play off each other, adding to the playful tone of the lyrics. The use of repetition, including the title "déjà-boo" and the phrase "어디서 본 것 같은데" (it feels like I've seen you before), reinforces the idea of familiarity and the dreamlike quality of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
(네) 눈칠 살피고 (a-ha)
Looking into your eyes, catching your gaze.
옆으로 붙어 넌 날 밀어내 (one, two, three, yeah)
You're pushing me away, even though we're close to each other.
(네) 눈을 가리고 (다시)
You're covering your eyes again.
옆으로 붙어 (넌) 또 날 밀어내 (déjà-boo, singing)
Once again, you push me away even though we're close. It feels like déjà vu.
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool
Stay with me and stay cool.
뒤돌지 말기로 해 처음 봐도 낯설지 않아
We agree not to turn our backs on each other and even though we just met, it feels like we know each other well.
(Woo, woo, woo) stay, oh, cool (cool)
Stay calm and stay with me.
모른 척 (척) 말기로 해 눈빛이 마주쳤잖아 (hey)
We agreed to pretend like we don't know each other, but our eyes still met.
Stay, oh, it's a déjà vu
Stay with me, it feels like déjà vu.
어디서 본 것 같은데
It feels like I've seen you before.
어디서 본 것 같아
It seems like I've seen you somewhere before.
Déjà-boo, girl
It feels like déjà vu, girl.
Stay, oh, girl, déjà vu
Stay with me, girl, it feels like déjà vu.
어디서 본 것 같은데 yeah, yeah
I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, yeah yeah.
La, la, la, la, la, la (hey) la, la, la, la, la (stay)
The melody goes on, with 'hey' and 'stay' continuing as the refrain.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The melody continues.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (oh, oh, oh, oh)
The melody goes on with some added sound effects.
Stop it, play (stop it, stop it, play)
Maybe telling someone to stop playing games with your heart.
Oh 쥐락펴락해 날 (oh, yeah) 놓치진 말아줘
Don't let go of me, wavering back and forth.
Don't move, please sit
Don't go away, stay with me.
내게 필요한 건 오직 너뿐이잖아
You are the only one I need.
너도 내 눈을 보고 있잖아
You're also looking into my eyes, aren't you?
막 리듬처럼 널 갖고 놀아
I play with you like a rhythm.
난 지치지 않아 baby, stay, my lady, baby
I won't get tired, baby, stay with me, my lady, baby.
원래 난 자주자주 두리번거리지 그러다 보면 (hey)
I usually wander around a lot, and eventually...
안녕 자기 (자기야) 모르는 여자들이 말을 걸곤 하지
Hi honey, girls that I don't know often try to talk to me.
Wow (wow) wow (wow) 소리를 질렀어 난 wow (wow) wow (wow) hey, ho
Excitement and exclamation with 'wow'.
You're my déjà-boo
You are my déjà vu.
나 분명 널 어디서 봤고
I clearly saw you somewhere before.
언제 본건지 상관이 없고
It doesn't matter when I saw you.
기억도 안나 어디서 봤나
I don't even remember where I saw you, where could it have been?
생각해 내봐 please, girl
Think about it, please girl.
물론 다 거짓 가만뒀다간
Of course, it could just be all lies.
널 물듯 덤빌 놈 뻔히 보이니깐
I'm clearly visible as someone who wants to keep you close to me.
내가 지켜야지 남들 같진 않지
I have to protect you, I'm not like other people.
눈치보고 어색하지 않게
I'll keep an eye out and make sure things don't get awkward.
Oh, déjà vu 난 널 봤다고 그래 봤잖아?
Oh, it feels like déjà vu, I saw you before, right?
난 남들 같지 않아
I'm different from other people.
걔들처럼 네 눈물 쏙 빼고 튀지 않아 (oh)
I won't just take your tears and run away like those guys (oh).
계속 언젠지 생각만 하고 (I go)
Continuing to think about when I saw you (I go).
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (ho!)
The melody continues with added sound effects with 'ho!'.
Okay, next
'Okay, next', it's time to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Hae Sol Kim, Jong Hyun Kim, Jin Soh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leo Henry
[2020 December, 18 KST Time]
[Friday, Morning]
Today marks 3 years since we lost Jonghyun.
It's incredible that as time passes, only memories can fill the place of pain.
Although today still affects us in the same way as 3 years ago, we insist on believing that Jonghyun is in a much better place.
Jonghyun, we're still here... keeping the love for your soul, your music and your legacy.
[ALWAYS BE WITH YOU]
A message written on behalf of all Shawols around the world. 🌹❤️💎
Paripa
Now I can edit and say It's 2022 and he is still the SM male solo artist with the most music show wins , 12 wins !!! Also fastest SM artist to win on music show after debut (5 days)
Anna Toscano
Wow. Thanks for the info.
The aura of artistry that surrounds Jonghyun is just unbelievable. I love all the Shinee members equally, but Jonghyun as a soloist is mind blowing.
JApple97
IT'S WHAT HE DESERVES, HIS TALENT IS NO JOKE 🥰
Bo Na
🥰😍
Stray Sky
I'm so PROUD of him!!!
Иван Мих
2023!
Elise
is anyone else obsessed w the way jonghyun says "stop it" and "wow" 💕💕i could listen to it forever
방탄소년단• 샤이니• 에이티즈
I love him
Alessandra Cristina De Souza
Me too!!and whenever he says "stop" it in music i really stop everything too hahaha😂❤
Elise
BTS Army Forever me too🥰