New music
To fans, he’s known as Jaehyun; to friends and family, he’s Jeong Yuno; and now, to listeners of his solo album debut, he’s J. Having been introduced to us over eight years ago through the K-pop group NCT 127, he has spent years honing his craft, traveling the world, and studying the sounds of his favorite artists. His early years were filled with listening to music with his father, playing piano with his mother, and performing at local music festivals—unintentionally paving the groundwork for the present. Jaehyun seems to excel at everything he does, from music to fashion to acting, with a quiet wit. It’s like a divine interlinking of passion and talent that not all are born with or have the grit to sustain through the years.
It’s 24 hours after the release of his first solo album, and despite it being around 11:00 p.m. in Korea after a long day of press, Jaehyun is bright-eyed, dressed comfortably in his signature backward snapback and black tee – all smiles and eager to share. He’s a busy guy, so we only have ten minutes to chat, but we make the most of it—diving into his perspectives on life, how he discovered his unique sound, and the intersection of his many interests.
When an artist embarks on the journey of creating a solo body of work, there is an overwhelming array of choices for sound. Singling out a sonic umbrella can be the most challenging part of the artistic journey, but on J, it’s clear that R&B and Smooth Jazz were the chosen styles to steward in his warm vocals taking the lead. “For this album, it’s the sounds and styles of music I was listening to a few years back,” he reflects, looking back on how he found his sound. A true student of his own musical taste, Jaehyun shares his excitement about working with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds on ‘Can’t Get You’, a track that is sure to play on loop in your mind after the first listen due to its hypnotic and sultry soundscape. “I’ve been a huge fan of his since I first heard his album ‘Face2Face years’ ago and have been following his work ever since.” As one takes in Jaehyun’s solo debut album, the influences are clear as his sonic expressions dance around the melodies familiar and comforting to him since childhood.
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Each number is drenched in smooth vocals, groovy bass lines, and lyrics that compel you to take a seat, close your eyes, tap your finger, and go surrender to the ride. Guiding listening ears through this ride is the title track, ‘Smoke’. It begins with a whisper, “Jump in if you feel it.” Though just a whisper, it’s a strong invitation for the listener, new or familiar, to come along for the journey and take in the “different themes and styles” of each song—collected from writings in the corner of his room to shared sessions with other artists across time and place.
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“‘Roses’ was written probably about two years ago, before this album even started. So when the song made it to the album, myself and the crew I made it with were so excited.” He’d been placing songs into a vault that came time to detail the album totaled 30. When it came time to detail the album, Jaehyun shared that he channeled a bit of what he likes about fashion into his music. “I really like the details. Things might come from the same cloth, but the small details make the difference. When you have something classic with a bit of unpredictability, it feels new and that’s how I wanted this album to feel including the visuals”. He meticulously selected eight tracks from a vault of thirty, whittling them down to eight puzzle pieces destined to fit together in the body of work that serves as the medium through which he shares his voice and vision as a soloist to the world for the first time; a balance between classic sounds and unexpected twists.
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Recording partially in Korea and partially in Los Angeles, allowed Jaehyun to find puzzle pieces in unexpected places as he worked with Azad, from R&B duo Emotional Oranges, and another producer by the name of Child on ‘Flamin’ Hot Lemon’. Mirroring the easygoing nature of L.A., the song came together “like ping-pong,” he recalls. “There are so many good memories from that time.” The day before recording the track, he had a bag of Flamin’ Hot Limon Cheetos, and for some reason, they couldn’t leave his mind. Letting the winds of life lead the way as the recorded ‘Flamin’ Hot Lemon’, they truly went with the flow, and he “jumped into the booth and just did random ad-libs and melodies.” It seems they sought to capture the essence of the moment, as those same ad-libs are on the track. You can almost taste the spice of the chips personified in human form—addictive in flavor and leaving you wanting more, despite the potential danger. In true romantic fashion, it became a savored experience. The best things about having a crush.
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When it comes to rhythm and blues, it’s hard to ignore the major connective themes of romance, desire, and heartbreak. One cannot channel the soul and emotion necessary to properly execute the genre without taking time to reflect on the matter. Jaehyun doesn’t shy away from these emotions; instead, he dives into them headfirst, using his music to explore every facet of love—whether it’s the joy of being known or the bittersweet ache of longing. When it comes to love in all its forms—including self-love, platonic love, and familial love—Jaehyun at first jokes, “Love. Love is all we need.” A Beatles touchpoint that remains true through the ages. He continues, “As I get older, I get to know a new side of love—a deeper side. But overall, I really think, you know, we all live together, we’re not alone, so love is something you really have to have on your mind.” He channeled these thoughts and emotions on the ideas of the joys of being known and living in love into the piano-driven track “Completely.” It’s the song on the album that truly makes you stop in your tracks to listen to your own feelings – maybe even wipe away a tear as the emotive depth washes over. It’s passionate, pure, and honest. “When I first heard ‘Completely,’ I thought, there cannot be a better way to say ‘I love you’ than this song. It’s deep. It’s complete.”
It’s been eight years since his debut; ‘J’, the album, has eight tracks listed, and it was released in the eighth month of the year. Perhaps there is some serendipity in that, as Jaehyun has been known for his wit—classic and unpredictable. Deep, detailed, and deliberate.
It’s no secret—this album doesn’t just make an impression; it lingers, inviting listeners to explore Jaehyun’s world again and again.
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‘J – The 1st Album’ is out now.
Words: Rianne Akindele
All Photo Credit: SM Entertainment
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