Earlier this year, Pledis Entertainment announced that the company’s first boygroup NU’EST would be disbanding to the sadness of LOVEs and K-Pop second generation fans who have been watching the group have their well-deserved come up in recent years. Pledis’s first ever male trainee JR signed with a new agency Evermore Entertainment after the disbandment to focus on promotions as a solo artist, and on November 8, the former leader of NU’EST made his solo debut under his full name Kim Jonghyeon with mini-album MERIDIEM and title track “Lights.” 

MERIDIEM consists of six self-written songs that spotlight his signature deep-toned voice in an array of genres, from synth pop to ballad. Debut single “Lights” is a mid-tempo track with a satisfying build-up that leads to an ear-worm of a chorus. Toward the bridge, a cool, unexpected breakdown offers a fun twist to the song. 

Through the single, the soloist was able to showcase both his singing and rapping skills. In the music video, we follow Jonghyeon as he spends his day in the studio recording music and dancing. The video also cuts to scenes of him performing in front of a star-filled galaxy with a more chic image of his singer persona. Some LOVEs also spotted subtle details of NU’EST, like the group’s official colors and past music video homages.

Overall, MERIDIEM is a solid debut for Jonghyeon to reintroduce himself to the world as a soloist. He was able to weave personal sentiments in the self-written mini-album about this new journey he is pursuing, like the line, “Even if I were to leave my home / and walk on an unfamiliar path / I think I won’t be afraid,” from the ending track “to.( )”

Check out the “Lights” music video below and listen to Kim Jonghyeon’s debut mini-album MERIDIEM on Spotify!