Kim Jong-hyun began his career with the boy band SHINee on May 25, 2008, appearing on the SBS program Inkigayo. Throughout his nine-year tenure with the group, he contributed to twelve albums in Korean and Japanese before establishing himself as a prominent solo artist, songwriter, and radio personality within the South Korean music industry.
Early Career and SHINee
Scouted by SM Entertainment at age 15 after performing at a school song festival, Kim debuted as the lead vocalist of the five-member group SHINee. Beyond group activities, he joined the project unit SM the Ballad, contributing to their debut EP Miss You in 2010 and their second release, Breath, in 2014.
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Kim launched his solo career in January 2015 with the EP Base, which topped both the Billboard World Albums Chart and the Gaon Album Chart. He maintained an active role as a songwriter for other artists, composing tracks for IU, Son Dam-bi, Exo, and Lim Kim. His creative output included the compilation albums Story Op.1 and Story Op.2, alongside his first studio album, She Is.
Radio and Performance
In February 2014, he began hosting the MBC radio program Blue Night, where he frequently composed songs based on listener submissions. He showcased his live performance capabilities through his first solo concert tour, The Story by Jonghyun, which launched in October 2015. Over the course of his professional life, he also contributed to various television programs, including Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend and Monthly Live Connection.
Legacy and Foundation
Kim died in Cheongdam-dong on December 18, 2017. His final album, Poet | Artist, was released posthumously in January 2018. Following the release, his family established the Shiny Foundation in September 2018 to provide support for young artists experiencing hardship, utilizing profits generated from his final recordings.
Fast facts
- Born: 1990, Hyehwa-dong
- Died: 2017, Cheongdam-dong
- Education: Chungwoon University, Myongji University
- Known Languages: Korean, Japanese
- Debut: 25 May 2008
- Solo Debut: January 2015
- Member Groups: SHINee, SM the Ballad
Questions readers ask
What was Kim Jong-hyun's debut solo album?
His debut solo EP was titled Base, released in January 2015.
What is the Shiny Foundation?
Established by Kim's family in September 2018, the foundation uses profits from his final album to support struggling young artists.
Achievements
- Instruments: guitar, voice and bass guitar
- Genres: K-pop, contemporary R&B and ballad
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