• Solo artist presentation #1: Kim Jonghyun

    ~ KIM JONGHYUN ~

    Today is a very special day for Shawols around the world. Three years ago, on December 18th, 2017, Kim Jong Hyun, our bowl of joy and happiness and the main vocalist of the Kpop group SHINee, left us for a life where he wouldn’t be in pain anymore. I want this presentation to act as a tribute to him, not for everyone to remember him as an idol who committed suicide. Jonghyun was so unique in every aspect, he had a unique personality, a unique sound, a unique voice, a unique smile… He was so genuinely happy whenever he was on stage, his fans made him happy, his bandmates and friends made him happy too… We will never know what was truly going on in his mind on that day but what we can do is remember him, remember the great artist he was, and cherish what he left behind him. This is why I decided to put out this presentation on his death anniversary, because I wanted to pay tribute to him, and because I want people to remember him.  

     

    Kim Jong hyun, a.k.a Jonghyun from SHINee, was born in Seoul, South Korea on April 8th, 1990. He has an older sister named Kim Song Dam and went to Seoul Music Institute, Chungwoon University and Myonggi University before joining SM entertainment. He debuted with the Kpop group SHINee on May 25th, 2008 as the main vocalist and with the song “Replay” under the label SM entertainment. He also made his solo debut under the same label on January 12th, 2015 with his first mini album, “Base” with the title song “Crazy”. He was also the host of a popular radio show called “JongHyun’s Blue Night” but hosted his last episode on March 9th, 2017 due to his commitment as a SHINee member and singer/producer. I remember Minho (his bandmate) visiting him in the studio on his last day at the radio program and he was so moved, like literally. He was close friends with Yeri (from Red Velvet), Amber (from f(x)), and Taeyon (from SNSD), all being his labelmates (under SM entertainment).

    Solo artist presentation #1: Kim Jonghyun

     Solo artist presentation #1: Kim Jonghyun

     

     
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Jonghyun also wrote a book titled “Diphylleia Grayi” and wrote a song from the same name (which is my favorite of his). Diphylleia Grayi is the scientific name of a flower called “Skeleton Flower” or “Glass Flower” because their white petals become transparent like glass at the touch of raindrops. 

    Jonhyun is one of the Kpop idols with most songs copyrighted under his name. He wrote “Obsession” and “Juliette” by SHINee, “Gloomy Clock” by IU, “Red Candle” by Son Dambi, “No more” by Lim Kim, and “Breathe” by Lee Hi. He truly has a sensitivity to everything and usually looks at things from different perspectives. He wrote the lyrics for the song “Selene 6.23” in which he’s addressing SHINee’s international fans whom he can’t physically see and touch but still thinks about them and looking over them (and that’s what he’s doing right now, looking over all of us from some other place I’d like to call heaven).

    Solo artist presentation #1: Kim Jonghyun

    Solo artist presentation #1: Kim Jonghyun

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Finally, he was one of the most sensitive human being I've ever "met" in my life. He was often caught crying on stage and in interviews (this shouldn’t be a taboo seriously, just because he cries easily doesn’t mean he’s ‘weak’). I will always remember the part in SHINee world IV where they sang replay Jonghyun started crying at the end of the performance (you can watch it here). He was the most caring person towards his member and this really sensitive personality of his translated into his songs and his performances on stage. He also was a strong advocate of the LGBTQ+ community and fought for their rights as well as for social progress in a country that is, we tend to forget it, pretty conservative (although progress has been made for the past few years). 

    Unfortunately, Jonghyun left us three years ago on December 18th, 2017. He died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and the police concluded it was suicide. Before that, he had texted his sister with the following: “It’s been hard, let me go. Tell me I’ve worked hard. This is my farewell”. After reading these suicidal thoughts, she called the police around 4:42 pm KST saying that her younger brother had sent her suicidal text messages. 2 hours later, they arrive at a residential hotel in Seoul while he was having a cardiac arrest. He is immediately rushed to the hospital and is declared dead in the evening. His death was really tragic news in the industry, and the whole entertainment world was mourning him. I honestly don’t know how the SHINee members still managed to do their concert in February 2018 in Japan, but damn I cannot imagine how they felt standing on stage as well as the fans there.

    What’s most important now is to pay tribute to him, to never forget how amazing an artist he was, and to cherish the work he left behind him. He was the 2nd SHINee member to go solo and the albums he had put out, She Is, Base, Poet | Artist, are all as unique as him. Every album he put out, and every single song on them are a part of him. 

    Here are some videos I suggest you watch if you want to get to know him, it’s never too late, or if you want to remember him and feel closer to him. Rest in peace angel, you worked well.

    His breathtaking interpretation of the spanish song "Y si fuera Ella" (Hyeya in Korean) : click here

    When Key updated the story on his instagram with the SHINee members recreating the snack commercial and Jonghyun fell out: click here.

    SHINee world IV performance of "Excuse Me Miss" (watch out the chemistry between him and Taemin, it's adorable): click here.

    SHINee world IV performance of "Woof Woof", that costume is iconic, and he didn't hold back with the moves lol: click here.

    Finally, I came across a video on YouTube explaining really well why Jonghyun was a model and how he changed the Kpop industry, so I suggest you go and watch it here.

    To anyone who's not okay, who's feeling lonely, who's struggling with life (especially during those hard times)  in every aspect, you are not alone. I just have one thing to say: It's okay to not be okay, but having suicidal thoughts is not the solution. Reach out to someone, someone you know or someone you don't know, but someone who will listen to you and won't judge you. You are not alone.

    Take care everyone, and I'll see you all soon.

     

    Love, Swan

    Sources: Kprofiles, Kpopmap, Soompi, Youtube, Wikipedia. 
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