It has been seven years since SHINee's Jonghyun left us, yet his music and memories remain deeply cherished by many.
On December 18, SM Entertainment shared a tribute on SHINee's official account, posting a photo of Jonghyun on stage with the caption, “We will always love you.” Fans joined in remembrance, expressing messages like “I miss you” and “I love you” , SHINee member Minho also shared the tribute post, writing, “Love you so much” capturing the ongoing sorrow.
Jonghyun debuted with SHINee in 2008, leaving hits such as 'Replay', 'Ring Ding Dong', and 'Lucifer', pioneering the 'contemporary band' concept. Known for his exceptional vocals, Jonghyun also shone as a singer-songwriter, releasing solo tracks like 'Déjà-Boo' and 'End of a Day', while composing songs such as IU's 'Gloomy Clock' and Lee Hi's 'Breathe'.
On December 18, 2017, Jonghyun was found in a state of cardiac arrest at a residence in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, passing away at the age of 27. Suffering from depression, his farewell note read, “Just tell me I did well. That I worked hard. Don’t blame me for leaving. I really worked hard. Goodbye.”
In 2018, his family established the 'Shiny Foundation-For Always Jonghyun' using his songwriting royalties to provide scholarships and support young struggling artists, continuing Jonghyun’s legacy of compassion and care.
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