Remembering SHINee's Jonghyun: Seven Years Since His Passing

It has been seven years since the tragic passing of Jonghyun (종현), a beloved member of the K-pop group SHINee. He was found in a state of cardiac arrest on December 18, 2017, at a residence in Seoul. Despite the efforts of police and paramedics to transport him to a nearby hospital, he sadly passed away at the young age of 27.

In his farewell letter, Jonghyun expressed, "Depression has swallowed me whole." His untimely death was particularly heartbreaking given his remarkable career as a member of SHINee, which debuted in 2008, and as a talented solo artist, songwriter, and composer.

Jonghyun debuted with SHINee, delivering hit songs such as "Replay (누난 너무 예뻐)," "Ring Ding Dong (링딩동)," and "Sherlock (셜록)." He also enjoyed success with solo tracks like "Déjà-Boo (데자-부)," "End of a Day (하루의 끝)," and "Shinin' (빛이 나)."

Beyond his performances, Jonghyun showcased his songwriting skills by penning lyrics for SHINee's tracks like "Juliette (줄리엣)," "Alarm Clock (알람시계)," and "Always Be There (늘 그 자리에)," as well as for other artists including Taemin (태민) and IU (아이유).

On the seventh anniversary of his passing, Jonghyun's sister, Kim So-dam (김소담), announced a psychological counseling project aimed at supporting the mental health of young artists. In a heartfelt message shared on the official account of the foundation "Bina (빛이나)," which was established by their mother in 2018, she stated, "I feel like I've been hiding for so long, but now I want to share my story. I believe that we can overcome our struggles together. Let's create a space to heal and support one another."

The foundation "Bina" was founded to provide scholarships for young artists facing difficulties without agency support, using the royalties left by Jonghyun.

Although Jonghyun is no longer with us, his legacy continues to resonate deeply with fans and fellow artists, who remember him fondly and strive to carry forward his positive influence.