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She Is
She Is
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She Is
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 24, 2016 (2016-05-24)[1]
Genre
Length29:52
LanguageKorean
Label
ProducerJonghyun
Jonghyun chronology
The Collection: Story Op.1
(2015)
She Is
(2016)
The Collection: Story Op.2
(2017)
Singles from She Is
  1. "She Is"
    Released: May 24, 2016
Music video
"She Is" on YouTube

She Is (Korean좋아; RRJoh-a) is the debut studio album[3] 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.[4]

Background and release

[edit]

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.[3] The album consists of nine songs and is described by Jonghyun as the album where one "can feel his passion as a singer-songwriter"[5] and covers various genres such as electro-funk,[6] EDM and R&B.[7] Eight out of the nine songs are composed by the artist himself.[5] 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.[8]

Composition

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Jonghyun decided to emphasise storytelling on this album, adopting the persona of a "sweet, witty and sly" man who has fallen in love.[6] Each song is from the perspective of this character. He cited Prince, Jamiroquai and Maxwell as musical influences.[9][10] 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.[6][11] "White T-Shirt" is an uptempo song that blends tropical house with urban pop and features a country-style piano melody.[6][11] In "Orbit", Jonghyun uses space imagery to portray a romantic relationship; he describes himself orbiting his lover like a celestial object.[12] "Moon" is a "dreamy" yet "sensual" electro R&B song that was inspired by a lucid dream.[9][11][13] "Aurora" belongs to the neo soul genre.[13] "Dress Up" is an uptempo EDM track that contains distorted vocals, synths, and "thumping electro-hip-hop beats".[13][14] "Cocktail" is an R&B ballad in which Jonghyun compares falling for his lover's charms to drinking a cocktail.[13] "Red" is an urban R&B song that was inspired by traffic lights.[9][13] Jonghyun described the song "Suit Up" as being about the "first night after marriage."[15] It is a downtempo R&B song influenced by future bass.[13]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In South Korea, She Is entered and peaked atop the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated May 22–28, 2016.[16] The album spent a total of three weeks in the top 10 of the chart[17][18] and a total of five weeks in the top 100.[19] In the US, She Is entered and peaked at number four on Billboard's World Albums during the week of June 11, 2016, being the highest ranking debut of the week.[20] On the same week, the album entered and peaked at number 20 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums.[21] 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.[22] For the month of June 2016, the album placed at number 10 with 10,574 copies sold.[23] The album has sold 90,790 copies since release.[24]

Critical reception

[edit]

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")".[9] 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.[25] 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".[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Jonghyun.

She Is track listing
No.TitleMusicArrangementLength
1."She Is" (Korean좋아; RRJoa; lit. I Like It)
  • Jonghyun
  • Crush
  • Philtre
  • Wefreaky
Philtre03:11
2."White T-Shirt"
  • Henrik Meinke
  • Jonas Kalisch
  • Alexsej Vlasenko
  • Jeremy Chacon
  • Ilanguaq Lumholt
  • Marcus Winther
  • Meinke
  • Kalisch
  • Vlasenko
  • Chacon
  • Lumholt
  • Winther
02:58
3."Orbit" (Korean우주가 있어; RRUjuga isseo; lit. There's a Universe)
  • Jonghyun
  • Wefreaky
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Wefreaky
03:17
4."Moon"
LDN Noise02:44
5."Aurora"
  • Jonghyun
  • Deez
Deez03:54
6."Dress Up"
  • Jonghyun
  • LDN Noise
LDN Noise03:05
7."Cocktail"
  • Jonghyun
  • Bryan-Michael Cox
  • Clifford Henson
  • Cox
  • Henson
03:39
8."Red"
  • Jonghyun
  • Wefreaky
  • Ryan Kim
  • Chase
  • Im Kwang-ok
  • Kim
  • Chase
03:14
9."Suit Up"
  • Jonghyun
  • Wefreaky
  • Score
  • Score
  • Wefreaky
03:50
Total length:29:52

Charts

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Awards and nominations

[edit]
Music program wins
Song Program Date Ref.
"She Is" The Show May 31, 2016 [32]
Show Champion June 1, 2016 [33]

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for She Is
Region Date Format Label Ref.
South Korea May 24, 2016 [3]
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
SM Entertainment [34]
Taiwan July 1, 2016 CD Avex Taiwan [35]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
She Is is a 2019 Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Chris Eneng Enaji and co-produced by singers and in their production debut. The story centers on , a successful and independent played by Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, who faces mounting societal and familial pressure to marry as she reaches a certain age, while simultaneously dealing with a personal health crisis involving a fibroid that threatens her ability to have children. Determined to find true love and secure her future, Frances navigates a series of romantic encounters and comedic mishaps in her quest for "Mr. Right," blending elements of romance, humor, and on the expectations placed on single women in Nigerian society. The film features a notable ensemble cast including , , Frank Donga, Mawuli Gavor, Bishop Okon, , and comedian Ali Baba, with and also appearing in acting roles alongside their production duties. Released in March 2019, She Is highlights themes of , , and resilience, offering a fairy-tale resolution that appeals to audiences across generations while critiquing traditional norms.

Overview and background

Concept

She Is is a romantic drama that explores the challenges faced by successful single women in Nigerian society, particularly the pressures to marry and start a family. The film's central narrative revolves around themes of , resilience, and autonomy, highlighting options such as fertilization (IVF) and for women dealing with fertility issues. Co-producers and aimed to address societal expectations and personal health crises through a blend of romance, , and , presenting a story that critiques traditional norms while offering an uplifting resolution. The concept draws from real-life experiences of women navigating career success alongside biological and familial demands, with the Frances embodying amid adversity. This approach allows the film to serve as a relatable portrayal of modern Nigerian women's struggles, emphasizing over conformity.

Production

The production of She Is marked the feature film debut for singers and , who co-produced under Hermanes Media in collaboration with Krystal Filmworks. Development began as a to expand their creative roles beyond , with also contributing to the film's and appearing in roles. Directed by Chris Eneng Enaji, the project focused on creating authentic representations of Nigerian cultural dynamics, incorporating comedic elements to balance heavier themes. Filming took place in , emphasizing urban settings to reflect the protagonist's professional life. The production team prioritized a diverse cast to enhance the story's emotional depth, with completed ahead of its on March 8, 2019, at Film House Cinema in , . The film was released theatrically on March 15, 2019, in .

Music and lyrics

Musical style

The official soundtrack for She Is is the title song "She Is", performed by co-producers and . The track blends , R&B, and afropop elements, characterized by powerful vocal harmonies and a mid-tempo that emphasizes emotional depth and upliftment. Produced by SizzlePro, the song features smooth instrumentation with subtle percussion and accents, creating an anthemic feel suitable for the film's themes of and .

Themes and songwriting

"She Is" explores themes of female empowerment, resilience, and , mirroring the film's narrative of a successful navigating societal pressures. The portray a determined overcoming belittlement and adversity, with lines such as "She is belittled they know but this how the story’s gonna go / She is / She is / Alone but no she's gotta make it on her own." Co-written and performed by and , the songwriting draws from personal and cultural insights into women's struggles in Nigerian society, using repetitive affirmations to evoke strength and . This ties into the movie's on expectations and personal challenges.

Release and promotion

Singles and music videos

The lead single "She Is" (Korean: 좋아; lit. "Like") was released digitally on May 24, 2016, alongside Jonghyun's debut studio album of the same name, serving as its title track to generate pre-album anticipation. The track blends electronic funk rhythms with subtle drops, creating a groovy, summery vibe that emphasizes repetitive hooks for easy listener engagement. This release strategy highlighted Jonghyun's shift toward vibrant, dance-oriented solo material while maintaining his signature smooth vocals. The accompanying music video for "She Is," directed by Kim Ho-bin, premiered on SM Entertainment's official YouTube channel on May 23, 2016, one day prior to the single's digital launch. Visually, it employs motifs of romantic idealism through pastel-drenched scenes of idealized courtship and leisure, filtered with warm yellow tones that evoke nostalgia and effortless affection, aligning with the song's lyrics about adoring a perfect partner. The video's vaporwave-inspired aesthetic, featuring retro-futuristic elements like soft lighting and casual ensembles, reinforced the track's lighthearted, escapist charm without delving into narrative complexity. No additional singles were released from the album to further build buzz, with promotional focus remaining centered on the title track's visual and sonic appeal.

Promotional activities

Jonghyun commenced post-release promotions for She Is on May 26, 2016, with a comeback stage on Mnet's , performing the title track "She Is" alongside "White T-Shirt" in a lively, retro-inspired setup that highlighted the album's funky R&B vibe. This marked the official start of his music show appearances, which continued through early June on programs including MBC's on May 28 and SBS's on June 5, where he showcased tracks emphasizing his identity. Preceding the music show rollout, Jonghyun hosted an album showcase on May 23, 2016, at Platoon Kunsthalle in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, streamed live on VLive to engage global fans, with SHINee members Key, Minho, and Taemin serving as special MCs to celebrate his solo return. The event featured live renditions of album tracks and behind-the-scenes insights into the recording process, fostering direct interaction through real-time comments and Q&A segments. A mini fan meeting followed during the M Countdown broadcast on May 26, where Jonghyun and Key hosted a casual talk session with on-site audience members, discussing the album's creative journey and fan expectations. SM Entertainment amplified the campaign through multifaceted strategies, including a portion of album sales proceeds donated to the "SMILE FOR U" initiative in partnership with , promoting themes of hope and tied to Jonghyun's uplifting lyrics. Digitally, the label released exclusive content on platforms like VLive and , such as performance clips and artist messages, while tie-ins on and encouraged fan participation via hashtags like #JonghyunSheIs, driving and virality. Physically, promotions involved limited-edition album packages with photocards and lyric booklets, distributed through retailers like Yes24, alongside pop-up displays at SMTOWN stores to boost in-person engagement.

Commercial performance

She Is was released in cinemas in March 2019 and grossed ₦15 million at the Nigerian , placing it among the top 20 releases of the year. The film became available for streaming on , contributing to its accessibility to international audiences.

Reception and legacy

Critical reviews

She Is received generally positive reviews upon its March 2019 release, with critics praising its exploration of societal pressures on single , strong ensemble performances, and blend of romance, , and . A from Pulse Nigeria highlighted the film as a "true example of dealing with society as a single woman," commending the debut production by and , Omawumi's acting, the notable cast including and , and the integration of original soundtracks that enhance the emotional depth. Other reviews offered mixed feedback. Blogger Chynanu at Emporium of Words appreciated lead actress Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama's dignified portrayal and from supporting roles but criticized plot holes, a rushed ending, and inaccuracies such as the depiction of Anglican knighthood. Similarly, My Movie Views rated the film 7/10, noting its relatable story with a twist on and love but pointing to an inconclusive ending and minor flaws in execution. On , the film holds a 7.0/10 rating based on 14 user votes as of 2025.

Accolades and cultural impact

She Is did not receive major awards or nominations at prominent events like the Africa Movie Academy Awards or Best of Nollywood Awards in 2019. However, it garnered fan appreciation for addressing women's reproductive health options, such as IVF and , outside traditional marriage structures. The film's cultural impact lies in its commentary on norms and for career women in Nigerian society, resonating with audiences through themes of resilience and . As a production debut for musicians and , it contributed to discussions on multifaceted roles for women in , blending music and film to highlight personal and societal challenges faced by single women as of its release in 2019.

Album details

Track listing

All lyrics on She Is were written by Jonghyun (Kim Jong-hyun), except for "White T-Shirt", which was co-written by Jonghyun, Da Som Ryu (류다솜), Yoonseol Lee (이윤설), and Young Ah Jung (정영아). Jonghyun also composed the music for all tracks except "White T-Shirt". The standard edition contains the following tracks:
No.TitleDurationLyricsMusic
1"She Is" (좋아; Joa, lit. "I Like It")3:11JonghyunJonghyun, Philtre, Crush, Wefreaky
2"White T-Shirt"2:58Jonghyun, Da Som Ryu, Yoonseol Lee, Young Ah JungHenrik Meinke, Jonas Kalisch, Alexsej Vlasenko, Jeremy Chacon, Ilanguaq Lumholt, Marcus Winther
3"Orbit" (우주가 있어; Ujuga Isseo)3:17JonghyunJonghyun, Wefreaky, Coach & Sendo
4"Moon"2:44JonghyunJonghyun, Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Zacharie Raymond
5"AURORA"3:54JonghyunJonghyun, Deez
6"Dress Up"3:05JonghyunJonghyun, LDN Noise
7"Cocktail"3:39JonghyunJonghyun, , Clifford Henson
8"RED"3:14JonghyunJonghyun, Wefreaky, Ryan Kim, Chase
9"Suit Up"3:50JonghyunJonghyun, Wefreaky, Score
Key production personnel include Philtre (arrangement and instrumentation on "She Is"), LDN Noise (production on "Moon" and "Dress Up"), and Deez (arrangement and backing vocals on "AURORA"), among others varying by track. The total runtime is 29:52. No regional variations were released for the standard edition.

Release history

She Is was released on May 24, 2016, simultaneously in digital download and streaming formats worldwide by , with KT Music handling distribution in . A physical CD edition was issued on the same date in by , featuring a standard version and a deluxe edition with an 80-page photo booklet. Regional variations included a CD release by Avex Taiwan later in 2016. As of November 2025, no reissues or remasters have been announced, though the album continues to be available on major streaming platforms such as and .
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