Music · Film · Fashion · 1990–2017
Born: 8 April 1990 · Died: 18 December 2017 · Age at death: 27
Kim Jong-hyun died aged 27. He was born on 8 April 1990 and died on 18 December 2017.
Main vocalist of the K-pop group SHINee and an admired songwriter whose solo albums explored loneliness and hope
Did you know?He wrote songs for other artists, including Lee Hi's Breathe.
Jonghyun was admired for one of K-pop's most expressive voices and his skills as a songwriter. SHINee became famous for complex choreography and polished sound. He wrote many songs for the group and other artists. His solo work was introspective and personal. He also hosted a late-night radio show, often discussing everyday struggles. His death at 27 deeply affected fans. It led to wider discussion of mental health in the Korean music industry.
Kim Jong-hyun (Korean: 김종현; April 8, 1990 – December 18, 2017), known mononymously as Jonghyun, was a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, radio host, and author under the SM Entertainment label.
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Profile
South Korean singer, born 1990
Kim Jong-hyun was born in Seoul on 8 April 1990.
He was born Kim Jong-hyun in Seoul.
He debuted as the main vocalist of the boy band SHINee in 2008.
He died in Seoul on 18 December 2017.
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Last reviewed: October 2026