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.
Girls
JongHyun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Let me bring them to my world
안을 수밖에 없게 만들어 oh oh oh
Girls girls 안을 수밖에 없게 만들어 girls
Girls 소리마저 향기로운 그 말 G-g-girls
Let me bring them to my world
사랑한단 말에 무너지는 girls
시기 질투에 목숨을 거는 girls
그래서 귀여운 girls
안을 수밖에 없게 만들어 oh oh oh
남자는 짐승 짐승 짐승이라
남자는 짐승이라 말할 때
더 예뻐 보여 너무 설레어
아주 사소한 것을 다 챙길 때
눈물이 잘 고여 너무 순수해 보여
아름다운 몸에 손도 못 대게 하면서 나를 놀려
Oh oh 애타는 날 놀려
그래도 확실한 건 oh they drive me crazy
약한 듯 보여도 꺾기 힘든
Girls 평생 백마 탄 왕자를 찾는 girls
Let me bring them to my world
영원히 소녀로 살게 되는 girls
So I can't stop loving girls
위대한 시인들 마다 찾는 girls
끝없이 신비한 girls
지킬 수밖에 없게 만들어 oh oh oh
My girls
Sometimes I promise to give 'em the diamonds and pearls
My girls
그들을 위해서라면 주머니 깊이 담아둔 걸
다 꺼내 줄 수도 있지
Whether it's casual or deeply
Committed relationship 꼼짝 못 해
남자들은 모두 원래 이런 식
My girls, 남자를 얕보는 표정의 edge 있는 girls
My girls, 선물 값과 사랑의 깊이를 관계 짓는 girls
My girls, 클럽에만 가면 급 솔로로 변하는 girls
My girls, 사랑이란 늪으로 모험을 떠나는 say what?
Girls 소리마저 향기로운 그 말 girls
Let me bring them to my world
영원히 소녀로 살게 되는 Girls
So I can't stop loving girls
시기 질투에 목숨을 거는 girls
그래서 귀여운 girls
지킬 수밖에 없게 만들어 oh oh oh
Dedicated-cated to, to all my girls
Dedicated-cated to, to all my girls
Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, all my
Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, girls
The lyrics to JONGHYUN's song "Girls" depict a complex and multifaceted portrayal of women, exploring themes of love, desire, and societal expectations. The song begins with a sense of vulnerability as the singer acknowledges the power that girls have over him when they say they love him. He wants to bring them into his world and make them feel safe and secure, highlighting the emotional impact they have on him.
The lyrics suggest that girls have an inherent ability to captivate and enthrall, using their voices and scents to draw others in. Despite the singer's struggle to resist loving them, he finds himself enthralled by their existence, willing to risk jealousy and even his life for their sake. This speaks to the intensity and depth of his feelings towards girls, portraying them as both tender and enigmatic beings that he cannot help but be drawn to.
The song also delves into societal perceptions of masculinity, with the singer expressing how men are often portrayed as animals but also revealing his own excitement and admiration for girls' attention to detail and purity. He grapples with the allure of girls' beauty and the power they hold over him, even when they appear to be fragile or vulnerable. The lyrics suggest a complexity in the dynamics between men and women, challenging traditional ideas of strength and vulnerability.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of yearning and longing for connection and understanding between the singer and the girls he admires. He acknowledges the challenges and complexities that come with relationships, whether casual or deeply committed, but remains steadfast in his dedication and love for them. The lyrics reflect a deep appreciation for the different facets of femininity and the impact that girls have on the singer's life, emphasizing their mystery and allure.
In the closing verses, the singer dedicates the song to all his girls, showcasing a sense of respect and admiration for the women in his life. The repetition of the word "girls" in the chorus serves to emphasize their importance and significance, underscoring the singer's unwavering affection and devotion towards them. Overall, "Girls" is a poignant and introspective track that explores love, desire, and the complexities of relationships through the lens of admiration and vulnerability towards girls.
Writer(s): John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Contributed by Ella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.