Hello
안녕하세요
(Annyeonghaseyo)
こんにちは
(Konnichiwa)
你好
(Ni Hao)
Today I want to share with you an idol that I feel honoured of being a fan of and I find it a little bittersweet that the first of his solo work happens to be his final. I honestly thought I had shared with you in the past his first solo mini album but after looking at all my past published posts, sadly I never did so it's sad that the first post that I'll be sharing with you of JongHyun is his final album.
POET | ARTIST is JongHyun's 2nd and final full length album released posthumously after his passing on the 18th of December 2017.
Early December 2017, SM Entertainment confirmed that JongHyun would be returning with a solo album in 2018.
On the 9th and 10th of December 2017, JongHyun held concerts singing songs from his new album and when prompted from the teleprompter would be announcing his new comeback set for January 2018, but took the personal decision to refrain from announcing his comeback. At his inspired concerts he sung new songs Take The Dive, 어떤 기분이 들까 (I'm So Curious) and 환상통 (Only One You Need), which is a track about comforting others after the loss of a loved one.
It was revealed that his album and M/V for his title track 빛이 나 (Shinin') had been completed before his passing, it was reported the M/V had finished filming just days before his passing.
On the 19th of January 2018, SM Entertainment confirmed that JongHyun's album would be released on the 23rd of January, with all proceeds going to his mother to create a foundation for people living under difficult circumstances. It was also revealed that the album was called POET | ARTIST.
Track (#Hashtag) received media attention for discussing gossip and slanderous comments on the Internet and was praised for both lyrical content and JongHyun's use of wordplay. while shortly after the albums release, KBS banned track Rewind from it's radio stations, as it contained lyrics in Japanese.
On the 23rd of January 2018, the M/V for 빛이 나 (Shinin') was released along with the digital release of POET | ARTIST.
Owned by SM Entertainment
On the 24th of January 2018, a 2nd M/V was released this time for the track 우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring), focusing as a tribute M/V as well as the physical release of POET | ARTIST.
Owned by SM Entertainment
빛이 나 (Shinin') won 2 music show trophies, 1 on Music Bank and 1 on Show Music Core.
JongHyun wrote the lyrics for 9 out of the 11 tracks on the album as well as co-composing on 8 of the tracks, he is also credited as one of the producers for the album.
POET | ARTIST peaked at No.1 on the Gaon Albums Chart, No.10 on the Oricon Albums Chart, No.177 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, making it his first album to debut and chart on the list, it also peaked at No.7 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart as well as No.1 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, as well as also charting globally proving how he touched the lives of people around the world.
Gaon Sales:
188,491+
Oricon Sales:
14,750+
Billboard Sales:
5,000+
Giving POET | ARTIST a total of 208,241+ copies sold so far.
*YouTube views were correct at the time of writing post*
So far the M/V for 빛이 나 (Shinin') has gained 14,048,643 million views and the M/V for 우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring) has so far gained 3,934,955 million views, with the views for both M/V's increasing each day.
POET | ARTIST is set out in a hardback book style case with paper/thin card cover, the colour theme is white and orange. There is a variety of pictures of JongHyun with some following his 빛이 나 (Shinin') M/V concept. The photobook is full of many pictures and the last 3 pages focus on JongHyun through his career at times when he was his happiest, on stage and with his fans. Also on the front cover as well as behind the paper cover and the front page of the booklet it says; 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 & ME, BE THE SITE FOR ANYONE TO REST IN TRANQUILLITY. 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.
Track List:
빛이 나 (Shinin')
환상통 (Only One You Need)
와플 (#Hashtag)
기름때 (Grease)
Take The Dive
사람 구경 중 (Sightseeing)
Rewind
하루만이라도 (Just For A Day)
어떤 기분이 들까 (I'm So Curious)
Sentimental
우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring)
One thing I noticed about the pictures in this album is that out of all the pictures there is one picture where he seems to be smirking slightly but that's it there is no other pictures that show him smiling until you get to the last 3 pages which is full of pictures of him smiling happily doing what he loved with and for the people he clearly loved the most.
From start to finish this album is amazing and it's heartbreaking that his final album is his best album ever, it's even more heartbreaking to know that he didn't really believe in his own talent. I can't help but feel that if the quote on the cover was either said or chosen by himself, then it's like his final farewell and gratitude for his family, friends and fans and a reminder that no matter where in the world you live, the memories of him will always live on. One thing that surprised me the most with this album was not only how unprepared I was to have a physical copy (I cried when it arrived and while looking through it) and how much for a change I extremely loved a ballad. I don't think they could have chose a better song to close the album with, 우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring) is such an amazing and breathtaking song, JongHyun's vocals just melt your senses and I always start crying when listening to this song.
I'm now going to do something that I don't normally do and share with you all 11 tracks from this album, no song should be overlooked, just sit back and let JongHyun melt away your troubles with his voice.
빛이 나 (Shinin')
환상통 (Only One You Need)
와플 (#Hashtag)
기름때 (Grease)
Take The Dive
사람 구경 중 (Sightseeing)
Rewind
하루만이라도 (Just For A Day)
어떤 기분이 들까 (I'm So Curious)
Sentimental
우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring)
I can't recommend this album enough, if I had to tell you to buy only one album this year it would be POET | ARTIST, maybe this album and JongHyun can pull you out of the darkness you may be in and maybe even change your life for the better.
Losing someone whether they be a family member, a friend or even someone you look up to or admire is never an easy thing, especially when they take their own life. Remember if you suffer from ANY mental health issues, you're NEVER alone, reach out, speak out and someone will guide you and help you in your darkest hour.
See you soon!
안녕
(Annyeong)
さようなら
(Sayonara)
再见
(ZaiJian)
Bye
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