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.
Lonely
JongHyun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
툭하면 내뱉던 네 그 말버릇
너도 힘든 걸 난 다 아는데
아마 넌 내가 바본 줄 아나 봐
우는 얼굴로 나 힘들다 하면
정말 나아질까
그럼 누가 힘들까 아프다 징징대면
아마 너와 난 착각 속에
서로를 가둬둔 지 몰라
아냐 너는 날 이해 못 해
걱정 어린 네 눈을 볼 때면
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely
나는 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
지친 널 볼 때면 내가 너에게
혹시 짐이 될까 많이 버거울까
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely
나도 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
그래도 너에게 티 내기 싫어
나는 혼자 참는 게 더 익숙해
날 이해해줘
우린 함께 있지만 같이 걷질 않잖아
외로움과 괴로움 기억 하나 차인 건데
넌 왜 자꾸 다르게만 적으려 하는 건지
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely
나는 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
그래도 너에게 티 내기 싫어
나는 혼자 참는 게 더 익숙해
날 이해해줘
날 내버려 둬
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely
나는 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely
나도 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
그래도 너에게 숨기기 싫어
나는 혼자 참는 게 더 익숙해
날 이해해줘
JongHyun's "Lonely" is a heart-wrenching ballad that tackles the painful realization of feeling alone despite being in a relationship. The chorus "Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely, 나는 혼자 있는 것만 같아요" (Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely, I feel like I'm alone) repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's loneliness. The song kicks off with an apology to the significant other for being the reason they're alone, but ironically thanks them for making them feel alone.
JongHyun emphasizes the difficulty of communicating feelings and understanding each other through couples' misconceptions due to misunderstandings, illustrated in the verse "아마 너와 난 착각 속에 서로를 가둬둔 지 몰라" (Maybe you and I have trapped each other in our own misconceptions). The singer acknowledges the struggle of the significant other and questions whether their sadness will ever truly get better.
Ultimately, the song is a pleading statement towards the significant other to understand the loneliness and difficulty the singer faces. The song ends with the repeated plea for the other person to understand: "날 이해해줘" (Understand me).
Line by Line Meaning
미안해 내 탓이야 고마워 덕분이야
I am sorry, it's my fault, but thank you for being there for me.
툭하면 내뱉던 네 그 말버릇
Your habit of saying things without thinking sometimes gets to me.
너도 힘든 걸 난 다 아는데
I know that you are going through a tough time, too.
아마 넌 내가 바본 줄 아나 봐
Maybe you think that I'm the cause of your problems.
우는 얼굴로 나 힘들다 하면
When I say that I'm struggling with tears in my eyes.
정말 나아질까 그럼 누가 힘들까
Will things really get better? Who else is struggling?
아프다 징징대면 모두 다 괜찮아지는데
When we complain about pain, everything seems to be better.
아마 너와 난 착각 속에 서로를 가둬둔 지 몰라
Maybe we are trapped in a misunderstanding and don't know how to get out.
아냐 너는 날 이해 못 해 걱정 어린 네 눈을 볼 때면
No, you don't understand me, I can see it in your worried eyes.
Baby I'm so lonely, so lonely 나는 혼자 있는 것만 같아요
Baby, I feel so alone even when I'm with you.
지친 널 볼 때면 내가 너에게 혹시 짐이 될까 많이 버거울까
When I see you tired, I wonder if I'm becoming a burden or too difficult to handle.
그래도 너에게 티 내기 싫어 나는 혼자 참는 게 더 익숙해
But I don't want you to know how I feel, I'm more used to keeping things to myself.
우린 함께 있지만 같이 걷질 않잖아 외로움과 괴로움 기억 하나 차인 건데
We're together, but it feels like we're not walking side by side. We share memories of loneliness and pain.
넌 왜 자꾸 다르게만 적으려 하는 건지
Why do you always try to describe things differently?
날 내버려 둬
Just leave me alone.
그래도 너에게 숨기기 싫어
But I don't want to hide it from you.
날 이해해줘
Please try to understand me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Imlay, Hyun Hwang, Jin Soh, Jong Hyun Kim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Leo_Henry
[Monday, December 18, 2023.]
[KST Time]
Today marks 6 years since our beloved Jonghyun went to Heaven.
It's amazing how, as time passes, the feeling of pain gives way to the most beautiful memories that Jonghyun provided us throughout his life.
Jonghyun, know that SHINee is doing well, and you would be so proud to see them today. ✨
Jonghyun, you will always be in our hearts, and once again, today, we from the SHINee World Community and Korean music in general come together to extend our thoughts and celebrate your music, your life, and your career. 🎙️🌹
[ALWAYS BE WITH YOU]
@MC-ko2mx
Hi Jonghyun,
I never met you, because I joined the fandom three years too late (in 2021).
I cried as I watched footage of the members saying their goodbyes at your funeral.
I just want you to know the hyungs have finished their enlistment, and SHINee is reunited once more.
They had a comeback this month (March 2021), with Don't Call Me, and scored four wins.
It was a new sound for SHINee, but the members weren't content to go back to the familiar.
They wanted to take risks, and grow as artists.
I think you would be proud.
The members are doing great, but they really miss you.
Onew sent an "I love you" your way during an interview, Key talked about you before their encore stage, and Minho remembered you fondly to a little girl who was reacting to SHINee's career highlights on the ODG channel.
And Taemin, is well, being Taemin.
He did so well when the hyungs were enlisted.
His solo work was how I found out about SHINee.
Taemin is a hyung himself now, in a group called Super M.
He looks after his dongsaengs really well.
He looks out for them, makes sure they are eating properly, and gives them dance lessons.
I like to think he learned how to do that, because all the hyungs cared for him so tenderly, when he was growing up.
He's still a crackhead though, and talks about eating ants, and (black) crayons.
I want you to know that although I never knew you, I am seeing you through the eyes of SHINee, SM family members, and Shawols.
You won't ever be lonely.
You worked hard.
You did well.
You are so loved, and this will always be your legacy.
@beatyfromkanjirakenya3738
I am here for the 2021 birthday streaming party. Some fan facts about Jonghyun.
He and his family moved a total of 7 times.
He wanted to teach music composition..
He wanted his love to meet him in his late 30s
He was to write a thriller Novel and he had been in contact with the publisher on the day of his death and were schedule to talk.
Jonghyun hugged his music class classmates at least once a day..They were a small class.
Jonghyun had started taking about taking a break from the industry as early as January 2017.
Jonghyun's dream was to take a camping trip and roast meat but no one would go with him....
@hamsanp3628
listening in 2024?
me: yes, of course
edit: miss him alot
@ZombehPanda
♡
@martinamaino_7438
same🥺
@ZombehPanda
@@martinamaino_7438 hugs
@martinamaino_7438
@@ZombehPanda aww hugs back
@yodisisdagirlfromdalazycit444
hamsa yes 🥺...
@Leo_Henry
[Monday, December 18, 2023.]
[KST Time]
Today marks 6 years since our beloved Jonghyun went to Heaven.
It's amazing how, as time passes, the feeling of pain gives way to the most beautiful memories that Jonghyun provided us throughout his life.
Jonghyun, know that SHINee is doing well, and you would be so proud to see them today. ✨
Jonghyun, you will always be in our hearts, and once again, today, we from the SHINee World Community and Korean music in general come together to extend our thoughts and celebrate your music, your life, and your career. 🎙️🌹
[ALWAYS BE WITH YOU]
@user-zd1pp2sv4x
개인적으로 제일 힘든 시기에 항상 퇴근길에 들으면서 내일을 위해 술대신 위로해주던 노래인데 종현님 마지막 소식듣고 너무 힘들어서 울었는데 매년 겨울마다 이 노래 들으면서 또 눈물이 나네요. 너무 소중하고 빛나는 재능이 너무 일찍 저물었네요ㅠㅠ
@KnowL-oo5po
south koreans dont care about mental health yet they cry when a start dies cause of it, hypocrites!
@user-py2mq2qc5m
오빠 잘지내죠 이제 오빠보다 나이가 많아요