Love Before Me - Lee Jiham

In his solo EP Love Before Me, Lee Jihun strips away the high-energy persona of an idol to reveal the raw, vulnerable sinews of a man shaped by love. The album serves as a sonic bridge between the "clumsy past" and a "mature present," proving that for Jihun, love isn't just a feeling—it is the very lens through which he views his existence. 1. Forever Mine The Theme: The transition from present tense to past tense. The Vibe: A haunting realization. Jihun captures the exact moment the warmth of "I cherish you" turns into the cold finality of "I cherished you." It’s a song for anyone who realized the value of a person only after the door had closed. His vocals here likely trade power for a delicate, breathy intimacy, reflecting the "clumsiness" of a younger self who took love for granted. 2. Too Late The Theme: Regret as a catalyst for action. The Vibe: Urgency wrapped in a ballad. This track serves as a wake-up call. Jihun acknowledges the irony of self-improvement: we often become the person our ex-partners deserved only after they are gone. By highlighting that "nothing is eternal," he turns a song about regret into a powerful reminder to cherish the people currently standing by us. It’s the "carpe diem" of the album. 3. Film (필름) The Theme: Brotherhood and the end of a chapter. The Vibe: Cinematic nostalgia. This is arguably the heart of the EP. Moving from romantic love to the platonic love of his teammates, Jihun paints a vivid picture of five men in a cramped car, tired but glowing with shared dreams. It’s a tribute to A.C.E, capturing a "happy cry" that signifies the end of Act 1. It’s not just a song; it’s a captured memory that feels like a warm hug to his members and fans alike. 4. If You Leave Me The Theme: The desperate plea of a "growth pain." The Vibe: Raw, vocal powerhouse. This track dives into the darkest depths of a breakup—the bargaining stage. Jihun asks the painful question: "Would you have stayed if I had let go of my ego?" Describing this agony as a "pure growth pain" is a poetic touch, suggesting that the screams and the longing were necessary for him to become who he is today. 5. Together (우리함께) The Theme: Community as salvation. The Vibe: A hopeful, blooming finale. The album closes on a spiritual high note. After the regret and the pain of the previous tracks, "Together" is the resolution. Jihun admits he couldn't "bloom" on his own. It’s a beautiful acknowledgment of his support system—the fans and loved ones who held the light when he was in the dark. It shifts the album's focus from "I" to "We." Final Verdict [Love Before Me] is more than just a collection of ballads; it is a redemption arc. Lee Jihun uses his incredible vocal range not just to hit high notes, but to reach the deep, often hidden corners of the human heart. It’s an album that tells us: to love is to hurt, but to love is also the only way to grow.