SM Releases Jonghyun’s Posthumous Album ‘Poet | Artist’ And Music Video For ‘Shinin’’

Jonghyun's posthumous album. Photo courtesy of official SM Town SHINee Facebook.

As promised by SM, the final solo album of SHINee member Jonghyun, filmed before his passing, is now available online on Spotify. Fittingly titled ‘Poet | Artist,’ the album is the last hurrah of the popular idol, who committed suicide last year on Dec. 18. It features 11 songs written and sung by Jonghyun, including a music video for the addictive electropop title track ‘Shinin.’ The physical album will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

A Tribute To Jonghyun

In 2017, the K-pop world was rocked by the abrupt suicide of Kim Jonghyun, apparently due to suicide. A farewell note released after his death detailed the struggles of a young man under the crushing pressure of celebrity. “I am broken inside. The depression that had been slowly eating me up finally devoured me and I couldn’t defeat it,” Jonghyun wrote (as translated by Variety).

Since Jonghyun’s death, more attention has been paid to the overwhelming pressures and depression faced by Korean idols. Some have even confessed to also experiencing depression, such as 2PM member Wooyoung in an interview with TV Report. Now, Naver reports, Jonghyun’s own mother will be stepping up to combat this issue. According to SM representatives, the proceeds of ‘Poet | Artist’ will go into a foundation started by Jonghyun’s mother helping those struggling with depression.

Jonghyun Is ‘Shinin’’ In New Music Video

‘Poet | Artist’ title track ‘Shinin” features Jonghyun as fans remember him at his best: charismatic, dynamic, playful, and with his amazing vocals. The video features a sharply dressed Jonghyun singing and dancing to a backdrop of electropop with trap rhythm. Disco balls and other dazzling lights add to the beautiful lyrics about a shining woman.

The tracklist for ‘Poet | Artist’ follows below: