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She Is
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| She Is | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 24, 2016[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 29:52 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Jonghyun | |||
| Jonghyun chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from She Is | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "She Is" on YouTube | ||||
She Is (Korean: 좋아; RR: Joh-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
[edit]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.
| No. | Title | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "She Is" (Korean: 좋아; RR: Joa; lit. I Like It) |
| Philtre | 03:11 |
| 2. | "White T-Shirt" |
|
| 02:58 |
| 3. | "Orbit" (Korean: 우주가 있어; RR: Ujuga isseo; lit. There's a Universe) |
|
| 03:17 |
| 4. | "Moon" |
| LDN Noise | 02:44 |
| 5. | "Aurora" |
| Deez | 03:54 |
| 6. | "Dress Up" |
| LDN Noise | 03:05 |
| 7. | "Cocktail" |
|
| 03:39 |
| 8. | "Red" |
|
| 03:14 |
| 9. | "Suit Up" |
|
| 03:50 |
| Total length: | 29:52 | |||
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Monthly charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "She Is" | The Show | May 31, 2016 | [32] |
| Show Champion | June 1, 2016 | [33] |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | May 24, 2016 | [3] | ||
| Various |
|
SM Entertainment | [34] | |
| Taiwan | July 1, 2016 | CD | Avex Taiwan | [35] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "STARHOME > Discography". Jonghyun Official Website. SM Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Genre according to korean music site". Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ a b c Ko, Sujin (May 23, 2016). "SHINee's Jonghyun Proves His Songwriting Abilities". Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "31st Golden Disc Nominees – Album Nominees". Golden Disc Awards. Archived from the original on December 5, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Ahn, Woorim (May 15, 2016). "Jonghyun to Release His First Official Album". BNT News. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Kim, Jae-heun (May 24, 2016). "Shinee's Jonghyun releases first solo album". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Soo-hyang (May 22, 2016). "Jonghyun to hold showcase". Kpop Herald. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ Choi, Shin-ae (June 6, 2016). "Shinee's Jonghyun Shows his Fashion Sense". Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on June 6, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Glasby, Taylor (June 21, 2016). "Standing alone, Kim Jonghyun is unlike any other K-pop idol". i-D. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Hyun-jung (August 19, 2016). '푸른밤' 종현, 성공한 덕후 등극…맥스웰과 다정샷 ['Blue Night' Jonghyun becomes a successful fan... Friendly shot with Maxwell]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c Chung, Joo-won (May 23, 2016). "Shinee's Jonghyun rises high with first full solo album". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Lee, Ji-hyun (December 18, 2019). [Opinion] 그의 이야기 [음악] [[Opinion] His story [Music]]. Art Insight (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Hong, Se-young (May 20, 2016). 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 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Herman, Tamar (December 20, 2017). "Jonghyun's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Park, So-yeon (May 24, 2016). "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" (in Japanese). KStyle News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ a b "Album Chart – Week 22, 2016". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "World Albums: June 11, 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Heatseekers Albums: June 11, 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Album Chart – May 2016". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "Album Chart – June 2016". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Cumulative sales for She Is:
- "2016년 Album Chart (see #52)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- "2017년 12월 Album Chart (see #16)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- "2018년 04월 Album Chart (see #57)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- "2018년 06월 Album Chart (see #88)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- "2019년 12월 Album Chart (see #182)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- "2020년 05월 Album Chart (see #195)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ Jo, Hae-ram (January 2017). 좋아 - The 1st Album. IZM (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ [SHORTLIST] 6월 상반기: 종현, 빈지노, 루나, 사비나앤드론즈, 쏜애플 외 [[Shortlist] First Half of June: Jonghyun, Beenzino, Luna, Savina & Drones, Thornapple, etc.]. Weiv (in Korean). June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Hak-seon (June 19, 2016). '샤이니' 종현의 빛나는 재능을 담다 ['Shinee' Jonghyun's shining talent]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ "The 25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s: Staff List". Billboard. December 17, 2019. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ "週間 アルバムランキング 2016年06月06日付" [Weekly Album Ranking – June 6, 2016] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Albums [2016/06/01 公開]" [Hot Albums [Released on 2016/06/01]]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ "2016 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ "[포토엔화보]샤이니 종현 '1위 차지, 꽃가루가 한가득'". Newsen (in Korean). May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "종현, '더쇼' 이어 '쇼챔' 1위…벌써 2관왕[TV종합]". Nate via TV Report (in Korean). June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "iTunes - She Is - The First Album by JONGHYUN". iTunes Store. May 24, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ 首張正規專輯『喜歡』台壓版 [She Is – The 1st Album (Taiwan version)]. Avex Taiwan (in Chinese). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
She Is
View on GrokipediaOverview 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 empowerment, resilience, and autonomy, highlighting options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy for women dealing with fertility issues. Co-producers Omawumi and Waje aimed to address societal expectations and personal health crises through a blend of romance, comedy, and social commentary, presenting a story that critiques traditional gender norms while offering an uplifting resolution.[1] The concept draws from real-life experiences of women navigating career success alongside biological and familial demands, with the protagonist Frances embodying independence amid adversity. This approach allows the film to serve as a relatable portrayal of modern Nigerian women's struggles, emphasizing self-determination over conformity.[3]Production
The production of She Is marked the feature film debut for singers Omawumi and Waje, who co-produced under Hermanes Media in collaboration with Krystal Filmworks. Development began as a joint venture to expand their creative roles beyond music, with the duo also contributing to the film's soundtrack and appearing in acting roles. Directed by Chris Eneng Enaji, the project focused on creating authentic representations of Nigerian cultural dynamics, incorporating comedic elements to balance heavier themes.[3][1] Filming took place in Nigeria, 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 principal photography completed ahead of its premiere on March 8, 2019, at Film House Cinema IMAX in Lekki, Lagos. The film was released theatrically on March 15, 2019, in Nigeria.[3]Music and lyrics
Musical style
The official soundtrack for She Is is the title song "She Is", performed by co-producers Waje and Omawumi. The track blends soul, R&B, and afropop elements, characterized by powerful vocal harmonies and a mid-tempo rhythm that emphasizes emotional depth and upliftment. Produced by SizzlePro, the song features smooth instrumentation with subtle percussion and piano accents, creating an anthemic feel suitable for the film's themes of determination and self-reliance.[4][5]Themes and songwriting
"She Is" explores themes of female empowerment, resilience, and independence, mirroring the film's narrative of a successful woman navigating societal pressures. The lyrics portray a determined woman 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 Waje and Omawumi, the songwriting draws from personal and cultural insights into women's struggles in Nigerian society, using repetitive affirmations to evoke strength and optimism. This ties into the movie's social commentary on marriage expectations and personal health challenges.[6][4]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.[7] The track blends electronic funk rhythms with subtle future bass drops, creating a groovy, summery vibe that emphasizes repetitive hooks for easy listener engagement.[8] This release strategy highlighted Jonghyun's shift toward vibrant, dance-oriented solo material while maintaining his signature smooth vocals.[9] 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.[10][11] 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.[12] 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.[13] 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 M Countdown, 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 Show! Music Core on May 28 and SBS's Inkigayo on June 5, where he showcased tracks emphasizing his singer-songwriter identity. Preceding the music show rollout, Jonghyun hosted an album showcase on May 23, 2016, at Platoon Kunsthalle in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul,[14] 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 UNICEF, promoting themes of hope and youth empowerment tied to Jonghyun's uplifting lyrics. Digitally, the label released exclusive content on platforms like VLive and YouTube, such as performance clips and artist messages, while social media tie-ins on Twitter and Instagram encouraged fan participation via hashtags like #JonghyunSheIs, driving user-generated content 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 box office, placing it among the top 20 Nollywood releases of the year.[15] The film became available for streaming on Netflix, contributing to its accessibility to international audiences.[16]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 women in Nigeria, strong ensemble performances, and blend of romance, comedy, and drama. A review from Pulse Nigeria highlighted the film as a "true example of dealing with society as a single woman," commending the debut production by Omawumi and Waje, Omawumi's acting, the notable cast including Desmond Elliot and Chiwetalu Agu, and the integration of original soundtracks that enhance the emotional depth.[1] Other reviews offered mixed feedback. Blogger Chynanu at Emporium of Words appreciated lead actress Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama's dignified portrayal and comic relief from supporting roles but criticized plot holes, a rushed ending, and inaccuracies such as the depiction of Anglican knighthood.[17] Similarly, My Movie Views rated the film 7/10, noting its relatable story with a twist on faith and love but pointing to an inconclusive ending and minor flaws in execution.[18] On IMDb, the film holds a 7.0/10 rating based on 14 user votes as of 2025.[2]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 surrogacy, outside traditional marriage structures. The film's cultural impact lies in its commentary on gender norms and empowerment for career women in Nigerian society, resonating with audiences through themes of resilience and self-determination. As a production debut for musicians Omawumi and Waje, it contributed to discussions on multifaceted roles for women in Nollywood, blending music and film to highlight personal and societal challenges faced by single women as of its release in 2019.[1]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".[19][20] The standard edition contains the following tracks:| No. | Title | Duration | Lyrics | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "She Is" (좋아; Joa, lit. "I Like It") | 3:11 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Philtre, Crush, Wefreaky |
| 2 | "White T-Shirt" | 2:58 | Jonghyun, Da Som Ryu, Yoonseol Lee, Young Ah Jung | Henrik Meinke, Jonas Kalisch, Alexsej Vlasenko, Jeremy Chacon, Ilanguaq Lumholt, Marcus Winther |
| 3 | "Orbit" (우주가 있어; Ujuga Isseo) | 3:17 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Wefreaky, Coach & Sendo |
| 4 | "Moon" | 2:44 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Zacharie Raymond |
| 5 | "AURORA" | 3:54 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Deez |
| 6 | "Dress Up" | 3:05 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, LDN Noise |
| 7 | "Cocktail" | 3:39 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Bryan-Michael Cox, Clifford Henson |
| 8 | "RED" | 3:14 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Wefreaky, Ryan Kim, Chase |
| 9 | "Suit Up" | 3:50 | Jonghyun | Jonghyun, Wefreaky, Score |
