After much anticipation, JAEHYUN released his debut solo album, J – The First Album, on August 26, and it is nothing short of a heartfelt journey. Known for his position in K-pop boy group NCT, JAEHYUN takes center stage with his R&B record. He was deeply involved in curating the project, with writing credits on six of the tracks.
According to a press release, JAEHYUN named the project J after his habit of scribbling his initials on all his belongings, making it a fitting title for his first solo album.
True to R&B, J explores all the highs and lows of love, giving JAEHYUN the perfect platform to showcase his talents as a standout artist in the genre. With R&B being familiar territory for him – see tracks such as “Sun & Moon” and “Love Song” in NCT’s discography, as well as his solo single “Forever Only” – it’s no surprise that JAEHYUN chose this genre for his debut. Throughout the eight-track album, his smooth, captivating voice perfectly complements the groovy R&B sound.
“Smoke“
J opens with a bang, setting the tone with the smooth hip-hop R&B vibes of track “Smoke.” Kicking off with the Korean version, the album wraps up with the English take of the title track. JAEHYUN’s velvety yet powerful vocals float over a rhythmic bassline as he compares love and the fleeting moment of intimacy to smoke drifting over a boom box. With lines like “Hold up you’re too hot / Smoke coming out the boombox” and the English verse “808 trunk goin’ crazy / Are we getting too wild, maybe / Hot girl, pump up the AC.” The punchy bassline of the chorus amplifies the song’s fun and flirtatious vibe.
The music video for the “Smoke” is a noir-esque treat that’ll have you hooked from the first scene. It starts with JAEHYUN stalking down a dark hotel hallway, looking both agitated and stylish in a leather jacket and striped cap. He locks himself in his hotel room, covering up every reflective surface – windows, mirrors, you name it – creating a tense, weighty atmosphere. But just when you think he’s successfully sealed himself off from the world, he unlatches a locked trifold mirror and stares into his reflection.
As he gazes at his reflection, his nose begins to bleed. It then turns into a surreal scene where JAEHYUN’s reflection reaches out to caress his arm. Later in the video, he even teleports to a different universe (by falling through a couch like a lost remote). And like any good K-pop video, JAEHYUN breaks out into some slick, choreographed dance sequences that add the perfect finishing touch.
JAEHYUN stated that the music video’s storyline is up for interpretation, and that’s led to fans buzzing with theories. (Team EnVi also had some fun interpreting the music video while noting the fashion choices!) One fan-favorite theory is that he’s channeling Narcissus from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection to the point of self-destruction. While the white-suited character, who performed a whimsical yet foreboding dance sequence in the hallway, represents Nemesis, the goddess who enacted divine retribution on Narcissus. In an online Spotify listening party, JAEHYUN confirmed, “The last person that comes out is not a vampire, but something similar. It’s like (from) another planet, where he knows everything.”
Whether these theories hit the mark or not, one thing’s for sure: “Smoke” is an alluring tune paired with a visually stunning and thought-provoking music video.
Garden of Hits
Following “Smoke,” J continues with the pre-release track “Roses,” which dropped alongside “Dandelion” weeks before the album’s full release. “Roses” drips with a sultry, atmospheric sound as JAEHYUN serenades listeners about longing for someone and cherished memories. The English track is filled with vivid imagery: JAEHYUN being played like a clarinet, crying a river, and pulling out thorns from his sore heart. Throughout “Roses,” JAEHYUN uses the flower as a symbol of romantic gestures that now haunt him and cause emotional distress. He goes as far as to sing, “I’m triggered every year Valentine’s / Don’t wanna see, no / Roses.” And here’s the kicker: JAEHYUN was born on Valentine’s Day! Talk about emotional whiplash.
“Dandelion,” on the other hand, has a more light-hearted take on love. The mid-tempo track with jazzy undertones is a bilingual blend of English and Korean that’s irresistibly catchy, and notably solely written by JAEHYUN. As a true lover-boy, JAEHYUN starts the song by comparing his partner to a dandelion and promises that he’ll be “spitting poetry like a romantic.” True to his word, he vows to buy his love a boat to cross the Atlantic, and if it sinks, he’ll get the keys to Atlantis. He paints his partner as an emotional anchor, a grounding force like gravity, and a pure source of happiness like the Sun.
The songs were also released alongside a mashup music video of both tracks. The visual transitions from the breezy bloom of “Dandelion” to the tender sentiments of “Roses,” setting the tone for what’s to come later in the album.
Spicy Crushes
The mid-tempo R&B track “Easy” echoes the fun, groovy energy of “Dandelion.” JAEHYUN brings a relaxed yet rhythmic feel to the track as he sings about the ups and downs of having an indecisive partner. The chorus’ “Easy come, easy go / You just want whatever you like” captures his frustration of dealing with someone who doesn’t think commitment is necessary. On the track co-written by Tone Stith and Anthony Watts, JAEHYUN gets caught between their electrifying connection and the weariness of their hot-and-cold behavior. He yearns and wholeheartedly pleads for clarity and sincerity throughout the track: “I just need all of you next to me / I need your heart, your soul / I need your everything.”
On a more spirited side, “Flamin’ Hot Lemon” is a cheeky tune that blends admiration with a touch of self-doubt. According to a press release, the track was inspired by the spicy kick of a snack and captures the feeling of getting a new crush who’s both sweet and fiery. JAEHYUN is infatuated as he croons lines such as “Stay begging, got me on my knees,” and playful verses that compare her attitude to spicy food. With catchy lines and witty lyrics, co-penned by JAEHYUN, Azad, and chiiild, this is definitely the most playful track on the album.
A Love Stuck on Loop
JAEHYUN takes a tender turn on the album and slows it down with “Completely,” a poignant piano ballad composed by Nick Bradley and Jez Ashurst. His honey-coated vocals carry the weight of his longing as he sings about wanting to know everything about the person he’s singing about, from their happiest memories to their deepest wounds. He wants to truly know and understand his partner, capturing that intense yearning with the lines, “Tell me who you are / Every piece of your heart / Every bruise and scar.”
“Can’t Get You,” notably co-composed by Grammy-winning artist Babyface, is a mesmerizing production that captures the all-consuming nature of infatuation. JAEHYUN’s romantic interest gets lodged in his mind, playing on repeat just like this track will do to listeners. With a rich arrangement featuring trumpet, bass, guitar, percussion, and keys, the final track on the album brings a vibrant yet soulful sound that’s the perfect complement to the album. The backup harmonies of the female vocalist elevate the track to another level.
Before its official release, “Can’t Get You” was teased in a promotional video with Prada for ESQUIRE Korea, where JAEHYUN’s day was captured with a soothing yet intellectual flair, mirroring the tone of the track. The video’s description described how JAEHYUN’s expressions, gestures, and music are all in perfect harmony, making for a visual and auditory experience that’s as captivating as the song.
Behind J – The First Album
In J – The First Album, JAEHYUN shines with his solo debut as he delivers a bilingual R&B masterpiece highlighting his musical prowess and dedication honed through years with NCT. With writing credits on six of the eight tracks, JAEHYUN curated a cohesive project where each song explores a unique facet of love while still sharing that central theme. The album’s rollout was further enhanced by the engaging pre-release music videos and clips. Adding to the experience, JAEHYUN released a two-part series, The Journey of ‘J’ on YouTube to give fans an insider’s look into the making of the album.
Be sure to check out J – The First Album on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Physical copies of the album are available for pre-order and will be available in September. To stay up to date with JAEHYUN, fans can follow the singer and NCT on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Looking for new music? Check out EnVi’s breakdown of yuji and Dept’s Closer than Ever album here!
