Listening Party: JONGHYUN 'The Collection Story Op. 2'
Added 2025-09-24 13:00:08 +0000 UTCWe've finally arrived at this album... I mean just a MASSIVE trigger warning for this listening party as it's going to get pretty heavy towards the second half. But it was a beautiful journey.
Comments
It really seems like the SHINee World has been beside you and waiting for you all this time. Of course, SHINee comes into your life when you need them most, and for you it seems, more than once. I’m happy to be here with you now, and with all the kind shawols I have met on my own SHINee journey. Let’s do our best to be the understanding and supportive people that Jonghyun would have wanted us to be.
Blue_Twist
2025-11-27 09:24:00 +0000 UTCWatched pd nim listen to Elevator just now. I found myself telling him through the screen to skip Let me go. I struggled a lot when this album came out, between trying not to assume anything about the state of Jonghyun's mental health and desperately wanting to avoid listening to this album again because I was battling my own depression. The enormous guilt and sorrow I felt when he passed and I suddenly remembered the few songs in this album were so heartbreaking. It's the most difficult album to listen to. I rarely listen to it, but surprisingly it is my favorite (after She is because she IS the queen), because he's so so so honest. I thank and commend him so much for that courage and selfless artistry. I always warn others of this album when they start their SHINee/Jonghyun journey. "Tread carefully, but please do listen to it when you're ready. You'll not hear a more frank portrayal of a more brilliant mind." edit) Watching Let me go. My first language is Korean, so here goes. "아무래도" has an implied "it won't make a difference" or "Nothing can change this." It signifies a sense of inevitability. Or it could mean somehitng like "welp... I don't care what happens anymore." Of course, there is room for error or debate since we are all not the lyricist himself, but that's what I took this lyric to mean.
Brennan Cho
2025-11-17 17:58:39 +0000 UTCi cried so hard when he passed away and listened to ‘let me out’ etc that area. i was student and i couldn’t manage my emotions. My sister even called me straight to check my state after the news was spread. I feel so sorry for him because i suffered of depression for a long time but why i might notice his state more early while listening his songs. It happened so i couldn’t change at all, I really want him rest in peace. Thanks for sharing your thought about his album. Finally, even after long time has passed, you are the only reactor who react all of his solo albums nowadays.
HaPPy
2025-10-16 14:55:15 +0000 UTCSo, I started to like SHINee in 2014 bc of the bright, powerful, and beautiful songs. Instant fan of the boyyys. They were so lovely! But in 2015 when Jonghyun made his solo debut, something in my mind did "click!" I don't know what it was. His first mini album was so beautiful I was like "hey..." and then, in 2016/2017 my life was.. Idk, it was kinda making me sick to be alive. But my grandma, my brothers who where so young.. I couldn't do that to them. I couldn't die. So I kept going and going, studying and working. I did it 'till I got burned out and past that. I was really sick and tired of it all and I couldn't stop. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. My grandma and baby brothers were SO worried. But I kept on "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm OK" and just wishing to desapear. Elevator was the song that saved my life. Listening to his voice and reading the lyrics was like watching myself in a mirror. I remember being in the street waiting for the bus at 5 am to go to my uni, listening all of this album.. and the song hitting me hard. So hard. When I read the lyrics.. I remember being crouched on the floor, alone, crying so much.. I decided to go home to my family and talk about what was happening to me. My grandma ordered me to take a break from uni, she hugged me so much. I went to the hospital to get help, I went to the therapist and to a psychiatrist. I got my meds. I got my therapy. The rest is history. Jonghyun didn't have that. It pains me to this day. He didn't receive the help he needed and it was so unfair. He was a victim of his inner demons. He talked so much about mental health and he couldn't even get a real treatment. A serious professional. I decided to live the life he couldn't. I'm way past his age now. He's eternally 27. But hey Jjong! I'm almost 32! I'm married! I graduated! I'm an aunt! I'm.. I'm trying every day still. He did it well, and you too PD. Thank you for this amazing journey. Love ♡
Agusttina Sol
2025-10-06 04:47:57 +0000 UTCJonghyun did have notes for this album, written as mini essays. I think if you look up "Story Op. 2 essays" you can find them. He makes it very blatant that he was writing about himself, especially for the last 4 songs on the album. 'Let me Out' in particular he mentioned was a self-portrait that was dangerous to talk about in detail, and that he spit it out while losing half his mind in loneliness and suffering. The notes for 'Elevator' are much longer and more raw, where it seems like he's talking down to and saying horrible things about someone else while standing in an elevator only to realize he was alone and speaking to his own reflection the whole time. Honestly, the essays are even more difficult to read than even the songs themselves, so if you ever decide to look for them, be warned. Jonghyun's songs are so beautiful and haunting and tragic and he really was just an incredible person and artist, like a once in a lifetime kind of person. I'll always be grateful to have been his fan while he was still around, and being able to continue enjoying his memory even now. But as someone who also lives life with depression, I feel like I can see myself in his music, too. He really wrote from the most raw place, I almost hate that I relate to it so much. I also feel a lot of regrets because I had a lot going on in my life when this album came out and didn't pay much mind to it until after it was too late... but I thought he'd always be there.
Lindsay
2025-10-04 18:06:48 +0000 UTCI wish I could share my memories of my first listens to these albums, but past trauma has made my memory bad. . I do know they’ve been near & dear to me though. Also, the lyrics describing himself as lesser than hit me so close to home. As a kid I wouldn’t look others in the eye because I’d read in a book that it was rude to look into the eyes of people better than you so I looked at the ground.
orion_is_tired
2025-09-30 07:44:36 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. Those feelings are all too relatable, but I’m hopeful that those of us who need it can find healing. As a kid I had a certainty that I wouldn’t make it past 24, but I’m in my 30s now & while I still struggle it’s been good to know that I’m still able to make it further than younger me knew. Thank you for appreciating Jonghyun’s artistry, it’s good to see him so loved still. And thank you for being here with us still.
orion_is_tired
2025-09-30 07:40:21 +0000 UTCAbsolutely loved going on the journey of this album with you PD ❤ This album is absolutely heartbreaking but as you said, also artistically intricate & crafted with care and emotion. From elevator to the end I was crying along with you. Something else I noticed that is more sad now abt this album is the fact that the album was released in April, but Our Season is very much talking about winter & even has a Christmas bell in the production. Jonghyun died a few days before Christmas of that year 😢
Natasha Huppler
2025-09-30 06:38:51 +0000 UTCAlso I think someone else has already mentioned this, but Onew went on Wendy’s show recently and I think you’d really enjoy it! They both do some singing (including Wendy doing a lovely cover of SHINee’s In My Room and Jinki doing an absolutely fantastic live version of Caffeine) and Jinki is just his usual charming flirtatious goofball self https://youtu.be/ZikoWyj98Hw
Alicia G
2025-09-28 20:35:49 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this reaction, PD, it was really emotional and honest. I admire your bravery in sharing such personal stories with us, just like Jjong did. I felt it so deeply when you said “I wish he was still here,” but also, I am so so glad you’re still here with us 🩵 I’ve been going through a rough time the last month or so, and I’ve turned to your reactions (especially the SHINee ones) so often when the thoughts start spiraling too much in my head. I’ve so enjoyed following your SHINee journey bc it mirrors the one I’ve gone on since falling in love with kpop and Taemin in 2019, which eventually led me to becoming a shawol and finding my ult bias Lee Jinki Onew! Thank you especially for translating the lyrics so carefully to give more context to those of us who don’t speak Korean, it makes me appreciate Jjong’s artistry even more than I already did. Re his perspective on relationships, he definitely dated at least one person and hinted at others—despite the difficulties involved, I think idols who want to be in a relationship manage to find a way! (Side note—did you know he’s the reason Dispatch was founded?? There’s even a RadioLab piece on it! https://radiolab.org/podcast/kpoparazzi
Alicia G
2025-09-28 20:32:41 +0000 UTCI was crying with you PD. This was such a heartbreaking yet very beautiful listening party. Thank you for showing these raw emotions and sharing so much with us from your personal life. That's why you will always be my favorite reactor and even more than that. After watching you for so many years I really feel like you're my close friend even if I don't know you personally. This was the first listening party where I just felt like I wanted to hug you, it was so sad to see you like this but I'm glad to know that you're way better now. Jonghyun is truly our savior. I wish someone could have saved him too...
Ugne Jablonskyte
2025-09-27 21:33:43 +0000 UTCReally excited for your Poet | Artist reaction and the rest of your SHINee journey! Sorry if you’ve already mentioned this somewhere and I missed it, but have you listened to older Taemin’s albums off camera? If not, it would be really cool to have listening parties for some of his remaining albums at some point too. There’s also Minho’s Chase debut EP, which I believe you haven’t gone through yet, and two Japanese albums from Onew (Life Goes On and Saku—the upcoming one), as well as one from Key (Hologram). I wasn’t sure if you do Japanese album reactions, though? Japanese releases actually make up a big chunk of SHINee’s discography—there were even years (like 2011, 2014, and 2017) where they only had Japanese comebacks. Altogether, there are 5 full albums, 1 compilation, and 1 mini Japanese album. Since people often skip over them, even just one reaction would be a pretty rare gem to witness! P.S. Just like Fortune Cookie on Base, there’s also a CD-only track on Story Op. 2—Where Are You (a.k.a. the “cockroach song” :D). It’s quite satirical and much lighter than the rest of the album. Just letting you know in case you ever decide to circle back or listen on your own time!
Lawol
2025-09-26 18:12:46 +0000 UTCFirst of all, thank you so much, PD, for being so vulnerable and sharing the difficult times in your life. It takes courage and a lot of healing to be able to talk about things like that. I'm really happy to hear you're in a much better place now, and there's something so comforting in knowing that SHINee has been a part of your healing journey—back then through Jonghyun, and now through Onew and the rest of SHINee. It truly feels like a full-circle (Onew reference, haha) moment. I remember watching your farewell video dedicated to Jonghyun when we lost him, but I could never have imagined what was happening behind the scenes. Just, wow. Your message is so powerful and beautiful—thank you again for sharing it. While songs like Elevator and especially Let Me Out are so emotionally heavy that I usually shy away from listening to them, Story Op. 2 is widely regarded as Jonghyun's magnum opus and one of the greatest albums in K-pop history. The raw, genuine emotions and the vivid pictures each song paints are incredibly touching and powerful. Jonghyun was, is, and always will be one of the most talented artists in K-pop and beyond. His artistry, music, and lyrics will forever live on, continuing to touch people's hearts and, hopefully, helping them through their darkest times.
Lawol
2025-09-26 17:58:08 +0000 UTCI don't know behind the stories of other songs, but if I remember correctly 1000 is about his 1000 days as DJ on Blue Night radio with his BN's listeners(family)!
Fluffy_Chick
2025-09-26 12:50:12 +0000 UTCeven if I just found your chanel about a year ago. but I can confidently said that you're my fav reactor, PD~ I love it when you translate the meaning and context of korean words that has so deep, really deep meaning behind it. your emotion when you react is so pure that it's make me laugh and cry with you most of the time. it's feel like I have a friend to travel together in the deep dive to SHINee journey! I wish you be healthy and happy, take care! Ps. I don't know if you prefer to listening to an official music audio only or not. but I just found some interesting mash-up song from {walk with you} from Circle album, {days and years} from SHINee's atlantis (don't call me re-package) album and {1000} from this album! link if you're interest: https://youtu.be/oi4xKYhqNqQ?si=te_7SwLKpbyqhJD8
Fluffy_Chick
2025-09-26 12:30:59 +0000 UTCEvery time I see your video, I really feel like I get so much energy from you. Things might be okay now, but I hope you remember this if things ever get tough. You’re as precious to me as Jonghyun.
Milton
2025-09-26 10:56:27 +0000 UTCi remember coming across your jonghyun video when it happened. I wasn’t into watching reactors yet back then so I didn’t know you, but i remember balling my eyes out bec it was humbling to see how much impact jonghyun had on people. it was such a full circle moment to find you again when you reacted to key’s i wanna be album, where you started falling in love with the members, and now we’re all with you, guiding you on your shinee journey and i cannot help but be happy that in some way, we’re keeping his legacy alive 😌
JT
2025-09-25 14:32:28 +0000 UTCsince you now have an appreciation of Jonghyun’s discography (also I saw you say you’ve already reacted to poet|artist) & the personality that he incorporated in his music, maybe it would be great to start your shinee deep dive with The Story of Light series (or the Epilogue). it’s basically the series of albums shinee made to commemorate jonghyun, and how they saw him as. i know a lot of shawols (esp the old ones) still can’t listen to TSOL to this day but it’s honestly such a heartfelt series & you can really feel the impact jonghyun had on shinee!
JT
2025-09-25 14:17:39 +0000 UTCActually to comment on the love is so nice section of the video jonghyun actually did have a girlfriend for a couple of months so that may play in to why he’s written many love songs but I also think he’s just a sentimental guy who has seen other peoples experiences with love and took that into consideration
Nintendo DS.
2025-09-25 03:08:54 +0000 UTCPost-watch: thank you for your vulnerability, PD, and for sharing a really important piece of yourself. It’s a massively triggering piece of work, but I’m glad we could all go on this journey together and very happy that you’re still here. I lost a lot this year including my ability to walk. I used to be an extremely active person with exercise, hiking, camping, and travel at the center of my life. I can’t do any of that anymore and without going into details, I completely lost sight of myself. When you’re in that place, giving yourself something to look forward to is so important, and your content has been that for me. I’m glad that returning to your home country could be that for you. Even if you were to stop making content in pursuit of happiness, you’ve worked so hard to create so much for us that I will forever have a backlog of comfort-so when it’s time to step back, don’t worry about us. Your message at the end reminded me there’s never a “perfect time” to pursue your dreams or make certain changes out of self love. I’ll choose to do it anyway, out of respect for you, Jonghyun and everyone else that’s helped me stick around a little longer. Much love.
Dani
2025-09-24 16:44:06 +0000 UTCAlready filmed Poet l Artist and my god it was such a refreshing peaceful close out to the Jonghyun solo discography journey. It’ll be out soon~!
Jet
2025-09-24 16:10:12 +0000 UTCAbout to watch. I genuinely think this is one of the best albums ever made and it’s certainly one of my favorites. Extremely heavy listen though.
Dani
2025-09-24 14:44:31 +0000 UTCIf there’s any reactor I expected to have the maturity to handle the feelings of this album it’s you and that’s why I was so excited for you to get to the story OPs!! I think my fav songs from this one are: Fireplace and Blinking game cause they’re so chill and lovely. and Elevator and Let Me Out. I know they’re heavy but it’s real emotion and honestly, the first time I heard Elevator it was the first time I felt a a song genuinely described the word “harrowing”. It stopped me for a while. I think it’d be great to get to jonghyun’s final album: Poet | Artist, since it’s so close to the tribute shinee just did for it with their recent comeback and then getting into shinee’s group discography proper and then that awesome shinee tokyo dome concert! Thank you so much for this shinee journey and can’t wait for more!
A.R.R
2025-09-24 13:57:27 +0000 UTC
