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.
우주가 있어 Orbit
JongHyun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(반짝) 빛나는 두 눈이
(Oh 깜짝) 놀라는 내 꼴이
(또 살짝) 보란 듯 미소 짓는 장난스런 네 입꼬리
네게 네게 또 눈이 가 (눈이 가)
나 같은 남잔 다 저리 가 (저리 가)
라고 말하는 듯한 네 눈빛은 깊이가 남다른 걸
내게 기회를 줘
네가 뭘 원하는 건지
솔직히 말해 줘
No, no, tell me
우주가 있어
네 눈엔 우주가 담겼어
눈빛이 찌릿 통한 순간
귀 끝이 저릿 별빛 반짝 빛났어
가끔 눈이 돌아갔어
넌 자주 뒤를 돌아봐 줘
내가 널 따라 잘 도는지
이 궤도가 맞는지 꼭 확인해 줘
Woo woo woo woo baby, yeah
Woo woo woo woo baby
널 따라 도는 별이 너무 많은 걸
전부 가짜 인공위성들뿐인 걸
저 달에 걸고 맹세해 난 오직 너
오직 너-너-너 너뿐이야
좀 따라오지 말아 봐 내게 말한다면
어쩔 수 없어 마치 넌 자석 같은 걸
이미 내 말을 듣지 않는 내 맘이 닳아 널 바래
우주가 있어
네 눈엔 우주가 담겼어
눈빛이 찌릿 통한 순간
귀 끝이 저릿 별빛 반짝 빛났어
가끔 눈이 돌아갔어
넌 자주 뒤를 돌아봐 줘
내가 널 따라 잘 도는지
이 궤도가 맞는지 꼭 확인해 줘
No 싫단 사람이 (잠 올 때까지만) 얘기하자니
거짓말하지 말아 (거짓말하지 마)
이미 넌 잠이 다 깨버렸잖아
이제 네 철벽 다 깨 break it
이 말이 너에게 특별했으면 하는 건데
Oh baby (oh baby 어딜 봐요)
한눈팔 생각하지 마
Oh babe babe babe oh
우주가 있어
네 눈엔 우주가 담겼어
눈빛이 찌릿 통한 순간
귀 끝이 저릿 별빛 반짝 빛났어
가끔 눈이 돌아갔어
넌 자주 뒤를 돌아봐 줘 (자주 뒤를 돌아봐주길 바래)
내가 널 따라 잘 도는지
이 궤도가 맞는지 꼭 확인해 줘
Woo woo woo woo baby (oh baby)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (uh)
JongHyun's song "Orbit" talks about the feeling of being fascinated by someone and comparing them to the universe. The lyrics describe the person's eyes as shining, surprising and playful, and being deeply meaningful, which makes the singer feel like they're orbiting around them. The song suggests that they've found someone that's as significant as the entire universe to them, and they don't want to lose sight of them or miss a chance to be with them.
The chorus refers to the beauty of someone's eyes when they look at the singer. It's as if the entire universe is reflected in their eyes, and it's a moment that's almost electrifying. The verse where he talks about artificial satellites suggests that although there are many things out there competing for their attention, this one person is the most important to him. The song expresses the singer's desire to be closer to this person, to be sure they're still interested in him and that they're still on the right track.
Overall, "Orbit" is a romantic song whose lyrics capture the feeling of being deeply and passionately in love with someone. The universe is used as a metaphor for the person's importance to the singer, and their eyes are compared to the stars and planets, which intrigues and attracts the singer. The song suggests that this person is worth everything, and he'll do anything to keep orbiting around them.
Line by Line Meaning
(반짝) 빛나는 두 눈이
Your eyes sparkle like they're twinkling
(Oh 깜짝) 놀라는 내 꼴이
I'm surprised when I look at myself (with you)
(또 살짝) 보란 듯 미소 짓는 장난스런 네 입꼬리
You smile playfully with your mouth slightly turned up
네게 네게 또 눈이 가 (눈이 가)
My eyes keep going towards you
나 같은 남잔 다 저리 가 (저리 가)
I'm telling myself to stay away as a guy like me
라고 말하는 듯한 네 눈빛은 깊이가 남다른 걸
Your eyes seem to be saying something, they have a unique depth
내게 기회를 줘
Give me a chance
네가 뭘 원하는 건지
What do you want?
솔직히 말해 줘
Tell me honestly
No, no, tell me
No, no, tell me
우주가 있어
There is a space
네 눈엔 우주가 담겼어
In your eyes, the universe is contained
눈빛이 찌릿 통한 순간
In a moment where our gaze meets
귀 끝이 저릿 별빛 반짝 빛났어
My ears tingle and the starlight sparkles
가끔 눈이 돌아갔어
Sometimes your eyes wander away
넌 자주 뒤를 돌아봐 줘
You often look back
내가 널 따라 잘 도는지
Am I following you well?
이 궤도가 맞는지 꼭 확인해 줘
Please make sure this trajectory is accurate
Woo woo woo woo baby, yeah
Woo woo woo woo baby, yeah
Woo woo woo woo baby
Woo woo woo woo baby
널 따라 도는 별이 너무 많은 걸
There are too many stars following you
전부 가짜 인공위성들뿐인 걸
They're all fake satellites
저 달에 걸고 맹세해 난 오직 너
I swear upon the moon that I only have you
오직 너-너-너 너뿐이야
Only you, you, you, it's only you
좀 따라오지 말아 봐 내게 말한다면
If you're going to talk to me, please don't follow me
어쩔 수 없어 마치 넌 자석 같은 걸
It can't be helped, it's like you're a magnet
이미 내 말을 듣지 않는 내 맘이 닳아 널 바래
My heart that is already not listening is becoming dull, I wish you goodbye
No 싫단 사람이 (잠 올 때까지만) 얘기하자니
When someone who doesn't want to talk (until they fall asleep) starts talking
거짓말하지 말아 (거짓말하지 마)
Don't lie (don't lie)
이미 넌 잠이 다 깨버렸잖아
You're already wide awake
이제 네 철벽 다 깨 break it
Now, break your defense walls
이 말이 너에게 특별했으면 하는 건데
I hope this message is special to you
Oh baby (oh baby 어딜 봐요)
Oh baby (oh baby, where are you looking?)
한눈팔 생각하지 마
Don't look away
Oh babe babe babe oh
Oh babe babe babe oh
자주 뒤를 돌아봐 줘 (자주 뒤를 돌아봐주길 바래)
I hope you will look back frequently
Woo woo woo woo baby (oh baby)
Woo woo woo woo baby (oh baby)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (you're my space)
Woo woo woo woo baby (uh)
Woo woo woo woo baby (uh)
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ji Ho Park, Jin Soh, Jong Hyun Kim, Seon Cheol Baek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ninoobgaidze
This is criminally underrated.
@ifyouseektracey9167
I completely agree. I love this song, actually the whole album
@weirdnoise11
The whole album is underrated thanks to SM.
@ifyouseektracey9167
I'll always be angry at them for that. This album is art
@weirdnoise11
I can't even express my properly how much I hate SM because of their shitty treatment for this album.
@Apple09Head
My deepest regret is not only we lost a good person, but an incalculable art expressed by his music. An unimaginable fear comes in my mind.
Much beauty had disappeared from the world.
@daniellegathings7651
Rest In Peace Jonghyun I’m always going to check and see if you’re orbiting around me
@meiuneiz
danielle Gathings :') that's really nice...
@Des-hz1su
This song is beast.. I barely found out about this guy.. And he is gone. Damn
@grumpysheep3710
That's ok it's just nice that you appreciate the song