OK, I know it kind of seem like TRL up in here more often than not, but I really like sharing music with anyone who might happen to stumble across, and I really really really want to share this new one from SHINee that was released yesterday (and yes, I made Henry and Chooch listen to it a thousand times in the car on the way home from Newark; good thing they like SHINee). So the deal with SHINee, if you haven’t been keeping up or noticed any of the 4684154 times I mentioned it on here like a lovelorn broken record, is that one of their members, Jonghyun, passed away last December. As a SHINee and Kpop fan in general, it was really hard to accept and it took me a good long while to mourn. Me and millions of other people. (Every day, I wear a ring with a sound wave of his voice engraved on it.)
After some time passed, there was of course the big question of “What will happen to SHINee?” They held their heads up and kept their commitments by following through with their scheduled concerts in Japan two months later, but even then it was unclear if they were going to continue on as a four-piece. They all have such pivotal roles in the group, and imagining them as four instead of five was heart-breaking.
In the end, they did decide to stay together. Their comeback was split into three separate EPs, each released about two weeks from each other, with two videos for each one and numerous music countdown and variety show appearances. It has been SO GOOD to see them smile, and watch them perform their new songs, even though Jonghyun is sorely missed. There are all kinds of fan theories regarding their video for Good Evening, and all the Jonghyun symbolism it may or may not contain. I like to believe the theories are true and that SHINee found ways to subtly include Jonghyun in their new chapter.
This latest EP which was released yesterday and for god’s sake, their first single is a song they wrote for Jonghyun and I can’t tell you how the huge the lump is in my throat every time I watch this video. It’s sad, but also joyous and hopeful, because they’re telling him that they miss him but they’re going to stay together and continue on as five, because they know that he will always be with them. OW OW OW. It’s like that saying about how the dead don’t want us to stop living, and it’s true. Life has to go on, as much as we miss those who are gone, and I am so glad that they were given the opportunity to sing this song for him. And yes, this song was written by them, not some Hit Factory conveyor belt.
As if this wasn’t heart-stabbingly beautiful enough on its own, the album ends with a special track featuring Jonghyun’s vocals, and even though the song is very upbeat, it was still SO HARD to listen to it. But of course I did, approximately 87 times.
So, even if you have never clicked on a single one of the videos I post on here, please let this be the first and last one. Because it’s super special and they worked hard.
SHINee forever. <3
Here are the translated lyrics:
Can you feel it? We’re connected
By our hearts that are transparent like invisible string
When I stand again on the road we walked on together
There are five overlapping hands, tears and memories
It’s so clear, I don’t want to forget, I can’t forget
The pretty words you left behind become a poem, become a song
Our voices are flying, we know it’ll reach you wherever you are
If a star vanishes, will everything be forgotten?
I’m holding the precious you in my arms
I want to fill the pages of this story that isn’t over yet
Until the very end
I’ll say that I miss you
But it won’t fill up my empty heart tonight
We’re facing each other, we’re still the same
We’re still the boys who are dreaming
The pretty words you left behind become a poem, become a song
Our voices are flying, we know it’ll reach you wherever you are
If a star vanishes, will everything be forgotten?
I’m holding the precious you in my arms
I want to fill the pages of this story that isn’t over yet
Until the very end
May 25, 2008*
Boys shining brightly
Like green waves of spring
That time will spread and flow forever
The pretty words you left behind become a poem, become a song
Our voices are flying, we know it’ll reach you wherever you are
If a star vanishes, will everything be forgotten?
I’m holding the precious you in my arms
I want to fill the pages of this story that isn’t over yet
Until the very end
*SHINee’s debut date