Lonely (Jonghyun song) explained

Lonely
Type:single
Artist:Jonghyun featuring Taeyeon
Album:Story Op.2
Genre:Ballad
Language:Korean
Label:
Composer:
Lyricist:Jonghyun
Producer:
  • Jonghyun
  • Wefreaky
  • Monotree
  • Imlay
Chronology:Jonghyun
Prev Title:Inspiration
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Shinin'
Next Year:2018

"Lonely" is a song by South Korean singer-songwriter Jonghyun featuring Taeyeon, a member of girl group Girls' Generation. It was released on April 24, 2017 through SM Entertainment, and served as the lead single for his second compilation album, Story Op.2. It was written, composed and arranged by Jonghyun in collaboration with Wefreaky, Monotree and Imlay. "Lonely" was the last single released by Jonghyun during his lifetime and experienced a surge in popularity following his death by suicide on December 18, 2017, reaching number one on Gaon Digital Chart. It has come to be viewed as emblematic of his struggles with mental health.

Background and release

On April 19, 2017, SM Entertainment announced that Jonghyun would be releasing his new song "Lonely" on April 24, and that it was to be a duet with Taeyeon, with whom Jonghyun had previously collaborated for the 2014 SM the Ballad song "Breath". It would serve as the title track to Jonghyun's new compilation album, Story Op.2, a follow-up to 2015's Story Op.1.[1] Unlike his other releases, which present an "idealized" version of himself, the songs on the Story Op albums are intended to showcase a side of Jonghyun that is "more ordinary and human".[2] A teaser was released on April 21 on the SM Town YouTube channel,[3] followed by the subsequent release of the song and its music video three days later. The music video, which was filmed in Los Angeles, depicts Jonghyun alone on the beach and in a large house, conveying feelings of emptiness.[4] "Lonely" was not promoted on music shows; however, Jonghyun and Taeyeon performed the song live on You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook on May 13 in what would be their only joint performance.[5] Jonghyun later performed the song by himself at his solo concert The Agit.[6]

Composition

"Lonely" was written, composed and arranged by Jonghyun. Wefreaky, Monotree and Imlay also made contributions to the composition and arrangement. It has been described as "a heartbreaking, piano-guided midtempo ballad that reflects on the feelings of things never getting better amid a sense of immense loneliness."[7] Jonghyun wrote "Lonely" expressly because he wanted to sing with Taeyeon,[8] and tailored the song's composition to her. He said, "I wanted to take the aura that she has, where she’s a bright and happy person with a sensitive and lonely side as well, and put that in the lyrics. I thought of her while I was writing the lyrics and melody."[9] It is structured as though Jonghyun and Taeyeon are in conversation with each other. Despite the simple instrumentation and relative lack of high notes, the song expresses desperate emotion.[10] The lyrical content drew increased attention following Jonghyun's suicide, and was re-examined by fans and journalists for signs of loneliness and depression.[11] [12] [13]

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Lonely" was a moderate success, debuting at number 18 on Gaon Digital Chart.[14] However, it quickly rose to the top of multiple domestic and international charts following Jonghyun's death on December 18, 2017.[15] [16] "Lonely" re-entered Gaon that week at number one, becoming Jonghyun's second song to top the chart after 2015's "Deja-Boo".[17] [18] It also reached new peaks on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 and World Digital Song Sales, charting at number four and number six, respectively, and sold 1,000 downloads in the US in the week ending December 21.[19] As of December 2017, "Lonely" has sold 331,742 downloads in South Korea.[20]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[21]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)1
South Korea (Hot 100)[22] 4
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[23] 6

Monthly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[24] 13

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Lonely"! Region! Date! Format! Label!
VariousApril 24, 2017

Notes and References

  1. News: 종현x태연, 특급 콜라보 성사..두번째 소품집 타이틀 작업. Jonghyun and Taeyeon will have a special collaboration, working on the title song of his second compilation album. Osen. Sun. Mi-kyung. April 19, 2017. March 5, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507162323/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110628152. May 7, 2021. live.
  2. Web site: 푸른 밤 종현이었습니다. Blue Night, This Was Jonghyun. Esquire Korea. Shin. Ki-joo. May 2017. May 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20170506083834/http://esquirekorea.co.kr/interview/%ED%91%B8%EB%A5%B8-%EB%B0%A4-%EC%A2%85%ED%98%84%EC%9D%B4%EC%97%88%EC%8A%B5%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4/. May 6, 2017. dead. ko.
  3. News: 종현, 타이틀곡 '론리' MV 티저 오늘(21일) 공개 (feat. 태연). The MV teaser for Jonghyun's title song "Lonely" (feat. Taeyeon) will be released today (21st). X Sports News. Kim. Mi-ji. April 21, 2017. March 6, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507164033/http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=843552. May 7, 2021. live.
  4. News: 종현X태연 특급 컬래버레이션, 오늘(24일) 베일 벗는다[공식]]. Jonghyun and Taeyeon's special collaboration will be unveiled today (24th). Sports Chosun. Jung. Yoo-na. April 24, 2017. March 7, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507164446/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201704250100226270016490&servicedate=20170424. May 7, 2021. live.
  5. News: '스케치북' 태연 "종현이 공진단 선물, 덕분에 활기찬 아침을…". On "Sketchbook" Taeyeon said, "Jonghyun gifted me Gongjindan, bringing me energy in the morning". My Daily. Lee. Seung-gil. May 13, 2017. March 6, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507171037/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=201705131314534892. May 7, 2021. live.
  6. News: 관객이 다함께 고생하는, 그래서 특별한 종현 콘서트(리뷰). A special Jonghyun concert where the audience struggles together (review). Newsen. Hwang. Hye-jin. June 15, 2017. March 12, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507171445/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201706152135470410. May 7, 2021. live.
  7. Jonghyun's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks. Billboard. Herman. Tamar. December 20, 2017. March 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210408062942/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8077764/jonghyun-best-songs-top-15. April 8, 2021. live.
  8. News: '연예가중계' 종현 "타이틀곡 'Lonely', 태연 때문에 쓴 노래". Jonghyun: "Title song 'Lonely' was written because of Taeyeon". My Daily. Heo. Byul-hee. May 28, 2017. May 5, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507172723/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=201705280339436358. May 7, 2021. live.
  9. News: '정희' 종현 "'푸른밤' 이후 3주만 MBC, 출입증 되나 확인했다". Jonghyun: "3 weeks after leaving MBC Blue Night, I checked if my pass still worked". Newsen. Oh. Su-mi. April 26, 2017. March 5, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507173203/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201704261209347510. May 7, 2021. live.
  10. News: [퇴근길신곡] 종현X태연, 고음 내려놓고 '힐링' 택한 가창력甲들]. Jonghyun and Taeyeon, singing talents who dropped the high notes and chose "healing". Osen. Kim. Eun-ae. April 24, 2017. March 12, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507171826/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110632460. May 7, 2021. live.
  11. News: [SE★초점] "못난 날 알아줘"···노래 속 담겼던 종현의 눈물]. "Recognize the ugly me"…Jonghyun's tears in the song. Seoul Economy. December 19, 2017. April 30, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507173646/https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1OOX0CPPRA. May 7, 2021. live.
  12. News: 故 종현, 과거 가사에서 보이는 '우울감'…지드래곤·아이유·방탄소년단 노래에서도. The late Jonghyun, "depression" seen in past lyrics... in G-Dragon, IU and BTS songs. Asian Economy. Moon. Soo-bin. December 20, 2017. April 30, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174349/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2017122011170603064. May 7, 2021. live.
  13. News: [SC줌人] 이제는 별이 된 종현, 그는 따뜻한 '위로'였다]. Jonghyun, who is now a star, was a warm "comfort". Sports Chosun. Jung. Joon-hwa. December 21, 2017. May 7, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174721/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201712220100172420012028&servicedate=20171221. May 7, 2021. live.
  14. Web site: 2017년 17주차 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – Week 17 of 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. March 7, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20170511190358/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=17&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. May 11, 2017. live.
  15. News: 故 샤이니 종현 떠났지만…'Lonely'·'이하이 한숨' 음원차트 재진입. The late Shinee Jonghyun left but... "Lonely" and Lee Hi's "Breathe" re-entered music charts. Sports Chosun. Jung. Yoo-na. December 19, 2017. April 30, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210504023351/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201712200100148490010567&servicedate=20171219. May 4, 2021. live.
  16. News: [뮤직:스코어] "잊지 않을게"…故 종현, 생전 명곡 6개차트 1위]. "I won't forget"... The late Jonghyun topped 6 charts. X Sports News. Jeon. A-ram. December 20, 2017. May 7, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507175738/http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=925243. May 7, 2021. live.
  17. Web site: 2017년 51주차 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – Week 51 of 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. March 5, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112605/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=51&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. December 29, 2017. live.
  18. Web site: 2015년 03주차 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – Week 3 of 2015. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. June 28, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605031624/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=03&hitYear=2015&termGbn=week. June 5, 2021. live.
  19. Jonghyun & Shinee Music Returns to New Highs on the Charts After His Death. Billboard. Benjamin. Jeff. December 27, 2017. March 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025020659/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8085440/jonghyun-shinee-album-songs-return-to-the-charts-2017. October 25, 2020. live.
  20. Cumulative sales for "Lonely":
    • Web site: 2017년 17주차 Download Chart. Download Chart – Week 17 of 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. ko. June 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302205714/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=17&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. March 2, 2021. live.
    • Web site: 2017년 18주차 Download Chart. Download Chart – Week 18 of 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. ko. June 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302204133/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=18&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. March 2, 2021. live.
    • Web site: 2017년 12월 Download Chart. Download Chart – December 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. ko. June 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302204133/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=18&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. March 2, 2021. live.
  21. Web site: Lonely (Feat. 태연). Melon. March 5, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507163714/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=30383758. May 7, 2021. live.
  22. Jonghyun Chart History (Billboard K-Pop 100). Billboard. March 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200202195334/https://www.billboard.com/music/Jonghyun/chart-history/KPO. February 2, 2020. live.
  23. Jonghyun Chart History (World Digital Song Sales). Billboard. March 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200216092748/https://www.billboard.com/music/Jonghyun/chart-history/WDT. February 16, 2020. live.
  24. Web site: 2017년 12월 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – December 2017. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Association. September 6, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210256/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=12&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month. January 3, 2019. live.

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