She Is Explained

She Is
Type:Studio album
Artist:Jonghyun
Cover:JonghyunSheIsAlbumCover.jpg
Released:[1]
Length:29:52
Language:Korean
Producer:Jonghyun
Prev Title:The Collection: Story Op.1
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:The Collection: Story Op.2
Next Year:2017

She Is is the debut studio album[2] by South Korean singer-songwriter Jonghyun. It was released on May 24, 2016, by SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music, and is the only studio album to be released during Jonghyun's lifetime.[1] The album was commercially successful, reaching number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, and received acclaim from music critics. It was nominated for an Album Bonsang at the 31st Golden Disc Awards.[3]

Background and release

Jonghyun released the album through a variety of music sites on May 24 and officially began promotions with his appearance on Mnet's M Countdown on May 26.[2] The album consists of nine songs and is described by Jonghyun as the album where one "can feel his passion as a singer-songwriter"[4] and covers various genres such as electro-funk,[5] EDM and R&B.[6] Eight out of the nine songs are composed by the artist himself.[4] Jonghyun's fashion style for the promotions reflect elements of Shinee's known trend, including colourful outfits and skinny jeans, demonstrating a 1990s-inspired look.[7]

Composition

Jonghyun decided to emphasise storytelling on this album, adopting the persona of a "sweet, witty and sly" man who has fallen in love.[5] Each song is from the perspective of this character. He cited Prince, Jamiroquai and Maxwell as musical influences.[8] [9] The lead single, "She Is", is an electro-funk song with future bass elements. It contains a repetitive melody and lyrics so the listener can easily sing along.[5] [10] "White T-Shirt" is an uptempo song that blends tropical house with urban pop and features a country-style piano melody.[5] [10] In "Orbit", Jonghyun uses space imagery to portray a romantic relationship; he describes himself orbiting his lover like a celestial object.[11] "Moon" is a "dreamy" yet "sensual" electro R&B song that was inspired by a lucid dream.[8] [10] [12] "Aurora" belongs to the neo soul genre.[12] "Dress Up" is an uptempo EDM track that contains distorted vocals, synths, and "thumping electro-hip-hop beats".[12] [13] "Cocktail" is an R&B ballad in which Jonghyun compares falling for his lover's charms to drinking a cocktail.[12] "Red" is an urban R&B song that was inspired by traffic lights.[8] [12] Jonghyun described the song "Suit Up" as being about the "first night after marriage."[14] It is a downtempo R&B song influenced by future bass.[12]

Commercial performance

In South Korea, She Is entered and peaked atop the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated May 22–28, 2016.[15] The album spent a total of three weeks in the top 10 of the chart[16] [17] and a total of five weeks in the top 100.[18] In the US, She Is entered and peaked at number four on Billboards World Albums during the week of June 11, 2016, being the highest ranking debut of the week.[19] On the same week, the album entered and peaked at number 20 on Billboards Heatseekers Albums.[20] She Is entered at number eight on the Gaon Album Chart for the month of May 2016 with a total of 45,415 copies sold.[21] For the month of June 2016, the album placed at number 10 with 10,574 copies sold.[22] The album has sold 90,790 copies since release.[23]

Critical reception

She Is was met with positive reviews by music critics. Taylor Glasby of i-D labelled it one of the best releases of the year, praising it as "a remarkably cohesive experience that's both mature—such as the gloriously sensual track "Moon"—yet playfully able to pack the dancefloor ("White T-shirt")".[8] IZM critic Jo Hae-ram noted that Jonghyun utilised his voice like an instrument to embody the character of each song; in "She Is", he changes his tone to match the electro-funk beat, while in "Orbit", his pronunciation is deliberately slurred and sticky. Jo described the album as a "masterpiece of contemporary R&B", concluding that the "idol" label can be removed from Jonghyun.[24] Writing for Weiv, Mimyo felt that the organic integration of future bass and future R&B elements placed the album one step ahead of mainstream pop music. He stated, "This album may be a rediscovery of a singer-songwriter whose strength is that he started out as an idol".[25] Kim Hak-seon of The Hankyoreh praised the album's consistency and was impressed by the collaborations with songwriters such as Deez. He situated it within the wider context of idol songwriting, arguing that Jonghyun was the artist who best exemplified the growing trend for idols to write their own music.[26] According to Billboard, "a sense of vibrancy permeates each listen of Jonghyun's first LP, offering up a kaleidoscopic listening experience that is part sunshine, part desire, and all good." They named it one of the best K-pop albums of the 2010s.[27]

Charts

Weekly charts

| 21|-! scope="row"| Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[29] | 23|-! scope="row"| South Korean Albums (Gaon)[15] | 1|-! scope="row"| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[20] | 20|-! scope="row"| US World Albums (Billboard)[19] | 4|}

Monthly charts

Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)8

Year-end charts

Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[30] 52

Awards and nominations

Song! scope="col" style="width:150px;"
ProgramDate
"She Is"The ShowMay 31, 2016[31]
Show ChampionJune 1, 2016[32]

Release history

Region ! scope="col"
Date Format Label
South KoreaMay 24, 2016
VariousSM Entertainment[33]
TaiwanJuly 1, 2016CDAvex Taiwan[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: STARHOME > Discography. Jonghyun Official Website. SM Entertainment. June 5, 2016. March 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304223753/http://jonghyun.smtown.com/Discography/AlbumInfo/11244. live.
  2. Web site: Sujin. Ko. SHINee's Jonghyun Proves His Songwriting Abilities. Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. May 23, 2016. July 18, 2016. May 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160526224948/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/105536/shinee-jonghyun-proves-his-songwriting-abilities-korean-artist-news. dead.
  3. Web site: 31st Golden Disc Nominees – Album Nominees. Golden Disc Awards. November 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20161205111704/http://isplus.live.joins.com/goldendisc/en/candidate. December 5, 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Woorim. Ahn. Jonghyun to Release His First Official Album. BNT News. May 15, 2016. July 18, 2016. June 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152302/http://www.bntnews.co.uk/app/news.php?nid=30757. dead.
  5. Web site: Shinee's Jonghyun releases first solo album. The Korea Times. Kim. Jae-heun. May 24, 2016. June 22, 2022. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015730/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2016/05/113_205453.html. live.
  6. Web site: Soo-hyang. Kim. Jonghyun to hold showcase. Kpop Herald. May 22, 2016. July 18, 2016. August 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829074833/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201605221304515246859_2. live.
  7. Web site: Shin-ae. Choi. Shinee's Jonghyun Shows his Fashion Sense. Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. June 6, 2016. July 18, 2016. June 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160606194749/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/105884/shinees-jonghyun-shows-his-fashion-sense. live.
  8. Web site: Standing alone, Kim Jonghyun is unlike any other K-pop idol. i-D. Glasby. Taylor. June 21, 2016. June 21, 2022. April 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190430123919/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/43ve4j/standing-alone-kim-jonghyun-is-unlike-any-other-k-pop-idol. live.
  9. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000641301. ko:'푸른밤' 종현, 성공한 덕후 등극…맥스웰과 다정샷. 'Blue Night' Jonghyun becomes a successful fan... Friendly shot with Maxwell. Xports News. Naver. Kim. Hyun-jung. August 19, 2016. February 18, 2023. ko. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015731/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000641301. live.
  10. Web site: Shinee's Jonghyun rises high with first full solo album. Yonhap News Agency. Chung. Joo-won. May 23, 2016. February 18, 2023. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015732/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20160523008500315. live.
  11. Web site: https://www.artinsight.co.kr/news/view.php?no=45249. ko:[Opinion] 그의 이야기 [음악]. [Opinion] His story [Music]. Art Insight. Lee. Ji-hyun. December 18, 2019. February 18, 2023. ko. January 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200108153616/https://www.artinsight.co.kr/news/view.php?no=45249. live.
  12. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000474868. ko:종현 첫 솔로 정규1집, EDM부터 R&B까지 '장르 집합체'. Jonghyun's first solo studio album, from EDM to R&B, 'a set of genres'. Sports Dong-a. Naver. Hong. Se-young. May 20, 2016. February 18, 2023. ko. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015734/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000474868. live.
  13. Jonghyun's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks. Billboard. Herman. Tamar. December 20, 2017. February 18, 2023. September 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220907212304/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jonghyun-best-songs-top-15-8077764/. live.
  14. Web site: So-yeon. Park. SHINee ジョンヒョン、ソロ曲「Suit Up」は"初夜の話"…メンバーとファンは歓呼. KStyle News. Japanese. 2016-05-24. 2018-01-31. February 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201080038/http://news.kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2045451. live.
  15. Web site: Album Chart – Week 22, 2016. Gaon Music Chart. 2016-07-18. ko. June 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602044302/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=22&hitYear=2016&termGbn=week. dead.
  16. Web site: 국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!. gaonchart.co.kr. 2016-07-18. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625124052/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=23&hitYear=2016&termGbn=week. 2016-06-25.
  17. Web site: 국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!. gaonchart.co.kr. 2016-07-18. June 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601052314/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=24&hitYear=2016&termGbn=week. dead.
  18. Web site: 국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!. gaonchart.co.kr. 2016-07-18. August 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160813232008/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=26&hitYear=2016&termGbn=week. dead.
  19. World Albums: June 11, 2016. Billboard. 2016-07-18. June 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602042051/http://www.billboard.com/charts/world-albums/2016-06-11. dead. subscription.
  20. Heatseekers Albums: June 11, 2016. Billboard. 2016-07-18. June 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602042358/http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2016-06-11. dead. subscription.
  21. Web site: Album Chart – May 2016. Gaon Music Chart. 2016-07-18. ko. August 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160803154458/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=05&hitYear=2016&termGbn=month. dead.
  22. Web site: Album Chart – June 2016. Circle Chart. February 18, 2023. ko. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015735/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=06&hitYear=2016&termGbn=month&yearTime=3. live.
  23. Cumulative sales for She Is:
    • Web site: 2016년 Album Chart (see #52). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. 2021-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516051531/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2016&hitYear=2016&termGbn=year. 2021-05-16. dead.
    • Web site: 2017년 12월 Album Chart (see #16). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112043226/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=12&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month. 2018-01-12. dead. 2021-05-23.
    • Web site: 2018년 04월 Album Chart (see #57). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. 2021-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210505080357/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=04&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month. 2021-05-05. dead.
    • Web site: 2018년 06월 Album Chart (see #88). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. 2021-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210312074623/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=06&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month. 2021-03-12. dead.
    • Web site: 2019년 12월 Album Chart (see #182). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210211090623/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=12&hitYear=2019&termGbn=month. 2021-04-20. 2021-02-11. dead.
    • Web site: 2020년 05월 Album Chart (see #195). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. 2021-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20210214053635/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=05&hitYear=2020&termGbn=month. 2021-02-14. dead.
  24. Web site: http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=28114&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1&view_sort=1. ko:좋아 - The 1st Album. IZM. Jo. Hae-ram. January 2017. June 21, 2022. ko. June 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220621225114/http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=28114&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1&view_sort=1. dead.
  25. Web site: https://www.weiv.co.kr/archives/22549. ko:[SHORTLIST] 6월 상반기: 종현, 빈지노, 루나, 사비나앤드론즈, 쏜애플 외. [Shortlist] First Half of June: Jonghyun, Beenzino, Luna, Savina & Drones, Thornapple, etc.. Weiv. June 20, 2016. June 21, 2022. ko. June 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220621225113/https://www.weiv.co.kr/archives/22549. live.
  26. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=036&aid=0000036598. ko:'샤이니' 종현의 빛나는 재능을 담다. 'Shinee' Jonghyun's shining talent. The Hankyoreh. Kim. Hak-seon. June 19, 2016. February 18, 2023. ko. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015735/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=036&aid=0000036598. live.
  27. The 25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s: Staff List. Billboard. December 17, 2019. June 21, 2022. June 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607172436/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/greatest-k-pop-albums-2010s-top-25-8546586/. live.
  28. Web site: 週間 アルバムランキング 2016年06月06日付. Weekly Album Ranking – June 6, 2016. Oricon. July 9, 2021. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812045755/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2016-06-06/p/3/.
  29. Web site: Hot Albums [2016/06/01 公開]]. Hot Albums [Released on 2016/06/01]. Billboard Japan. July 9, 2021. ja. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185223/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2016&month=06&day=06. live.
  30. Web site: 2016 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. February 18, 2023. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516051531/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2016&hitYear=2016&termGbn=year. May 16, 2021. dead.
  31. Web site: [포토엔화보]샤이니 종현 '1위 차지, 꽃가루가 한가득']. Newsen. May 31, 2016. ko. July 18, 2016. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223740/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201605312124230510&search=title&searchstring=%C1%BE%C7%F6. live.
  32. Web site: 종현, '더쇼' 이어 '쇼챔' 1위…벌써 2관왕[TV종합]]. Nate via TV Report. June 1, 2016. ko. July 18, 2016. April 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412173000/https://news.nate.com/view/20160601n43025. live.
  33. Web site: iTunes - She Is - The First Album by JONGHYUN. iTunes Store. May 24, 2016. June 5, 2016. November 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171127190415/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/she-is-the-1st-album/id1116087014. live.
  34. Web site: https://www.avex.com.tw/artist/artist_disco_songlist.asp?catalogNo=AVKCD80352. zh:首張正規專輯『喜歡』台壓版. She Is – The 1st Album (Taiwan version). Avex Taiwan. June 22, 2022. zh. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219015811/https://www.avex.com.tw/artist/artist_disco_songlist.asp?catalogNo=AVKCD80352. live.

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