K-Pop Star Jonghyun Leaves Fans With One Last Gift After Taking His Own Life

SM Entertainment, the label that represents former SHINee member Kim Jong-hyun, known simply as Jonghyun, officially released the late artist’s posthumous album “Poet | Artist,” and the title song’s music video “Shinin”.

Jonghyun, the lead singer of the Korean pop group SHINee, died in an apparent suicide last year in December. The 27-year-old singer, who was struggling with depression, reportedly sent a message to his sister before committing suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. It read: “It’s been too hard. Please send me off. Tell everyone I’ve had a hard time. Tell me I did well. This is my last goodbye.”

Fans only realized the symbolism behind his several tattoos after his death, including the black dog that was popularized by Winston Churchill.

Many of Jonghyun’s label mates from SM Entertainment, members of SHINee and other artists from the K-pop music industry attended his funeral on Dec. 21.

The posthumous album was launched on Jan. 23, Soompi reported. It contains 11 songs, including the title track “Shinin,” which features a wide range of musical genres such as soul, future bass, pop, R&B and more.

Profits from sales of the album will be given to Jonghyun’s mother, and will then be used to establish an organization that will help those who are living in difficult circumstances.

Watch the final music video of Jonghyun’s “Shinin” below.

Featured Image via YouTube / SMTOWN

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