Kim Jonghyun’s posthumous album, Poet | Artist, was released digitally on January 23rd, 2018. A physical copy was dropped on January 24th, 2018. Two music videos were also unveiled - one for the title track, “Shinin’” and one for “Before Our Spring.” Poet | Artist is Jonghyun’s second and final solo studio album.
When SM made the decision to continue with the scheduled release of Jonghyun’s solo album after his death, fans met the news with trepidation. Shawols around the world were in deep states of mourning, a kind most had never experienced before. We were all grappling with the idea that we had to grieve over a loved one who had never once met us personally. For some, the release of Poet | Artist would always seem too soon.
But, Jonghyun made it easy for Shawols. Songs from the album had already been debuted during his final Inspired concert series. Over the course of his final concerts, "Take The Dive", "I'm So Curious", and "Only One You Need" were all performed. “Rewind” was played during intermission at the Inspired concerts and “#Hashtag” was played during intermission at his earlier 2017 concert series, The Letter.
Much has been written about how and why Jonghyun ended his own life, about his depression and subsequent suicide. With Poet | Artist, Jonghyun forces us to focus on how he wants us to remember him. He did everything with intent, including the production of this album. This is his effort to solidify our final memories of him as a singer, a lyricist, and an artist.
Poet | Artist is largely an electronic dance pop album with a heavy dose of R&B styling and a little funk mixed in. Essentially, it is a perfect picture of Jonghyun’s style. We saw a different side of Jonghyun in his previous compilation albums, Story Op. 1 and 2, one that focused on intricate story telling through lyrics. That isn't to say Poet | Artist is bereft of meaning. In fact, the album is littered with messages and reflective lyrics. These are clearly things that Jonghyun wanted to communicate, either to himself or to the fans, and he chose this format to do so. Overall, this album is very strong lyrically. The production and composition are also of high quality, but the lyrics, which many argue was Jonghyun's forte, contain much meaning and weight, particularly in light of Jonghyun's death. Let's explore each song and delve a little deeper into each track.
"Shinin"
The title track, “Shinin’” is pure pop goodness. One of two songs on the album to have an MV, the music video is loud with colors and digital effects. This is becoming one of my favorite songs of this album because of its dancey beat. The lyric, “always be with you,” has a particularly poignancy after Jonghyun's death. It was sort of a shock to hear him singing that lyric, especially over such a bouncy, fun beat. I do think it was smart to choose a bright and positive song as the title, even though the lyrics will remind listeners of the reality. It's a celebration of Jonghyun's unique and upbeat sound, as seen in previous solo tracks like "She Is."
"Only One You Need"
“Only One You Need” is a driving pop song marked by a consistent drumbeat in the backing track. The production of this song is insane. The song builds and builds to an intense climax that drops to a ravey disco chorus. There were four different people who composed the song (Blizman, Christian Paris, Daniel Klien, and Kendrick Dean) and six who collaborated on the production (Blasian Chris, Jakob Mihoubi, G.bliz, Kendrick Dean, MZMC, Rudi Daouk). Of all the songs on the album, it has the biggest team behind it. I could easily see this being chosen for the title track had "Shinin'" not made the cut.
“Hashtag” was one of the songs debuted previously at Jonghyun’s concerts in December. The song leans towards an R&B sound, with a jazzy instrumental backing. “#Hashtag” touches on the frenzy that social media rumors can create. Jonghyun calls out the nameless keyboard warriors who stir up trouble just for fun, singing:
“They’re pros, they’re pros
Talking about other people
They say his personality is shit, he seems like that
Nah, nothing special, I just don’t like his attitude”
With some fun word play, (‘Eat a waffle, Four crosses on it, have faith’ - speaking about the # symbol) and snarky lyrics (‘Eat a waffle, you try it too, try eating the bad comments’), “#Hashtag” is Jonghyun’s message to those that spread unfounded rumors, which as an idol, he must have suffered from at some point.
"Grease"
“Grease” sounds sweet to the ear, with a staccato tropical style backing track, but don’t be fooled. The lyrics are about trying to get rid of someone who just won’t disappear, like a grease stain. Jonghyun sings “I wanna erase you, so please go away now.” My favorite line, one that I think captures exactly this emotion of wanting to erase someone from your life, is “It’s been a long time since I felt even negative attachments to you.” It’s the ultimate diss towards an ex-lover, to know the other person doesn’t even waste time hating you.
"Take The Dive"
“Take The Dive” was produced by Royal Dive, who has worked in the industry previously, specifically with Got7. This electronic dance track feels like very grand. The chorus sweeps the listener up as Jonghyun belts outs, “Take the dive.” His voice is very airy in this song, enhanced by a reverb effect during the verses. Overall, “Take The Dive” is an ethereal and light track.
"Sightseeing"
“Sightseeing” switches up to a more funky vibe. The song is anchored by a plucking bass guitar, horns and strings. This song reveals Jonghyun’s playful side, as he sings about the crowds of people milling about in the city. He wonders “where are they all going?” and begs them “Take me with you.” With an escapism vibe, the song is something that you’d blast while driving in your car or walking the city streets.
"Rewind"
I think “Rewind” marks a transition in this album. Following this song, the tracks start to mellow out and lean heavier on R&B influences, rather than pop. “Rewind” though, is a pure ambient dance club hit, and a sexy one at that. The synth backing track and constant pulsing beat is reminiscent of the rave scene in the 90s and early 2000s. Jonghyun whispers ‘rewind, rewind,’ over this beat. It’s such a club track, I can practically see the lasers and strobe lights when I close my eyes. Interestingly, KBS banned this track from broadcast due to the Japanese lyrics (This is not the first time KBS has done this).
"Just For A Day"
“Just For a Day” is produced and composed by Swedish producer, Chris Wahle. He has worked with other acts like AOA, NCT127 and 2 PM. The song draws influence from tropical/latin pop with an electro-pop finish. A lot mellower than “Take The Dive,” the song still has that sweeping feel that “Take the Dive” also had. This effect comes from the vocal layering in the chorus, as Jonghyun repeats, “하루만이라도” (just for one day). The content of this song, written by Jeon Gandhi, is morbid. The lyrics speak about being unable to forget someone (much like in "Grease") and wishing that person was dead, just for one day, so that they could be forgotten. As the song comes to a close, the lyrics change from "I wish you were dead, just for one day" to “I wish we were together, just for one day.” It speaks to the intense sadness that a broken love can create - that you can love and miss someone so much you think you want them dead, but in reality you just want to be together again.
"I'm So Curious"
Jonghyun slows it down for another R&B track for “I’m So Curious.” He croons over sounds of snaps in the background, wondering how it would feel to be able to touch the person he is attracted to.
“I want to grab your hand
The back of your neck, your tiny waist
I want to see it all up close, I feel greedy (I’m all)”
How could you say no to that?
"Sentimental"
“Sentimental” is lounge music. It’s coffee and a good book while sitting on a sun-warmed chair. The instrumental is primarily a piano, with some light strings coming in during the chorus. The track could be the less aggressive partner to “Grease.” Rather than wishing to never know a person, Jonghyun sings nostalgically of an old love. He says:
“It’s not like I wanna go back
Not like I miss you but
I’m feeling sentimental, I’m feeling sentimental”
In "Sentimental," Jonghyun captures that strange feeling when we know the memory of something is better than the real thing, because it can never be ruined.
"Before Our Spring"
“Before Our Spring” is the final track on the album and the only other song to receive an MV. On my first listen, as Jonghyun sings "괜찮아, 괜찮아" (It’s alright, It’s alright), all the hairs on my arm stood up. A soft piano ballad, Jonghyun sings mainly in falsetto. His delivery is incredibly raw and emotionally charged. The track is partially meant to be a comfort to listeners, as he sings:
“Actually, looking at you
Watching over you
Makes me happy
Just looking at you smiling
Just watching over you makes me feel at peace”
But he also focuses on his struggle to make it through the metaphorical winter to spring. He sings ‘I don’t want to go to you, I’m afraid I’m contagious.’ This analogy most likely refers to his own struggles with depression, and its cruel tendency to isolate its victims. He closes the song, ‘when spring comes to me too, then, then, then, then.’ He can’t even imagine what would happen if he were to make it to his spring, because he doesn’t believe it will happen. Poet | Artist closes on this repetitive word, ‘그땐, 그땐, 그땐, 그땐’ and Jonghyun’s final work is finished.
I wasn’t sure what to expect while listening to this album. It is a work that was created by a man who dealt with a mental illness in his everyday life. And Jonghyun, as a master song writer, does not hold back his personality in his songs. Poet | Artist covers topics ranging from loneliness, to the passage of time, to the pain someone else causes you, to wandering through a cold winter in search of spring. Yet, it still remains very cohesive. It begins with a bright (literally) song and flows seamlessly down into more R&B styling, lyrical tracks, and finally ending with a sweet ballad. Overall, Poet | Artist is an extremely well put together album.
The title is also apt. Jonghyun’s artistry is smeared across these tracks. All the songs on the album, except ‘Take The Dive’ and ‘Just For a Day,’ were written by Jonghyun. All music was composed and produced with Jonghyun’s collaboration except for “Take The Dive,’ ‘Just For a Day’ and ‘Only One You Need.’ There are a diverse range of styles and vocal techniques used in this album and Jonghyun executed each one with confidence.
Despite the album being incredibly bittersweet, and possibly painful for some fans, there are so many messages within Jonghyun's last work that it would be a shame to not listen. He penned lyrics that expressed his pain, sorrow and loss, but also his hope and love.
I'd like to end this review with the inscription on the cover of Poet | Artist. I think this summarizes what Jonghyun intended with his last album. He wanted his listeners to be able to find him forever in his music. In this way, he will never be truly gone.
It reads -
“We can be together in this space, while being on the other side of the Earth. We can be together at any time, not just at 12 o’clock. Physical matters certainly remained indifferent in our space. I only hope for this to never cease. I hope this space that belongs to you and me, be the site for anyone to rest in tranquility. I hope for our memories to rise as reminiscences and embrace you like no other. This is dedicated to those who have created our space together. Thank you.”