Jonghyun & SHINee Music Returns to New Highs on the Charts After His Death

It’s bittersweet chart news for fans of Jonghyun, the late K-pop star and SHINee member, as different music from his nearly 10-year career returns to multiple Billboard charts after his Dec. 18 death at age 27.   

On the World Albums chart, Jonghyun’s The Collection Story Op. 2 returns to the chart at No. 5 to a new peak and its second overall week on the chart. The compilation LP — which featured new and previously released material written and produced by the multitalented artist — sold nearly 1,000 copies in the week ending Dec. 21.   

Released in April, Story Op.2 was the singer-songwriter’s most recent release and originally debuted on the chart at No. 7, as did Story Op.1 from September 2017. Jonghyun has four top 10 entries on World Albums including his 2016 full-length She Is (which peaked at No. 4) and his debut solo EP Base (which ruled the chart at No. 1 for a week in January 2015). 

Jonghyun’s latest single also rises to new peaks on the charts as “Lonely” featuring Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation, the lead single from Story Op.2, makes its debut on World Digital Song Sales at No. 6. The gorgeous, melancholy duet — sang between the longtime friends — seems to be the choice songs fans are turning to for healing as the duet also topped real-time sales and streaming charts in South Korea upon news breaking of Jonghyun’s passing. “Lonely” sold 1,000 downloads in the week ending Dec. 21, and in total has sold 2,000 downloads in America.   

Fans also honored the beginning of Jonghyun’s musical journey with SHINee’s debut single “Replay” also returning to World Digital Song Sales chart. 5. The 2008 R&B-inspired single hit a new peak of No. 12 after selling 1,000 in the week ending Dec. 21 for its second overall week on the chart. To date, “Replay” has sold 22,000 downloads in America.   

Also notably, Jonghyun’s songwriting and production skills were honored on this week’s chart as Lee Hi‘s “Breathe” returns to World Digital Song Sales to a new high of No. 20 on the chart. An artist under humongous Korean record label SM Entertainment, Jonghyun wrote and produced the ballad, crossing company lines to create a chart-topping hit for an act under rival label YG Entertainment, marking a rare moment where agencies put differences aside to let a true piece of art flourish. Upon the news of the superstar’s passing, Lee Hi shared lyrics of “Breathe” on Instagram, sharing her memories of forgetting her own difficulties upon first listen and her appreciation for it.