When people think of K-pop, they think of mainstream artists like “Blackpink” or “BTS” but there’s one group that has dominated the market forever, and that would be SHINee. With their addictive music and exceptional abilities, they swept not just Korea but the globe as well. 

Who is SHINee? 

   SHINee is a South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2008. On May 25th, 2008, the group debuted with their first Korean single “Replay”. The group consists of four members: Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin. The fifth member of the group, Jonghyun, unfortunately died in 2017 to suicide.  

  Their group name, SHINee, is a combination of shine, meaning light, and the suffix ee, meaning “one who receives the light.” This reflects the group’s goal of becoming trendsetters in music, fashion, and dance.  

  They are known for their versatile musical style, innovative choreography, and trendsetting fashion. Originally, the group was supposed to debut as a hip-hop group. However, at the last minute their company SM Entertainment changed their mind and SHINee debuted as a contemporary R&B group.  

SHINee’s Unbelievable Talents 

   SHINee possesses a wide range of talents that most people don’t know they have. SHINee leader Onew, has a talent for tap dancing, beatboxing, opera singing, spinning things on his finger, and can do an imitation of Donald Duck. Member KEY is known as a “Girl Group Dancing King” for knowing the choreography of several girl groups. He’s a fashionista as well as a dancing machine and an expert in English.  

   Minho is an athlete and has competed in several athletic competitions while keeping on top of his idol work. He possesses a talent for rapping which is why he is SHINee’s main rapper. Much like KEY, he is also a dancing machine and notable idol-actor.  

   Taemin is a skilled pianist, and he can mimic the echo sound in karaoke. He also has a bottle cap skill, is extremely smart, as well as a freestyle dancing expert. He is also known as K-pop’s main dancing machine.  

   Former member Jonghyun could do a Michael Jackson impersonation and unmatched high notes. He could also play the kazoo and was skilled in several other instruments such as flute, piano, keyboard, guitar, and tambourine. Jonghyun was also a gifted author, lyricist, and composer as well as a comedian. 

SHINee supports LGBTQ+ Community 

   All the members are funny, quick-witted, and exceptionally skilled, who’ve broken a lot of ground collectively and as a group. SHINee uploaded a video of them practicing the dance to their song “Replay” and since then, many K-pop groups have begun uploading what’s now known as “Dance Practice” videos. Another way that SHINee has carved their name into history books is how SHINee is one of K-pop’s earliest and most outspoken supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.  

   SHINee member KEY has not only collaborated with queer artists like Olly Alexander but has also spoken about how fashion should not be limited to one gender. This is something that member Taemin echoed in his “Move” choreography in which he purposefully intended to blend feminine and masculine movesets because “dance is art.” 

   Another SHINee member, Minho played a gay character on his show “Yumi’s Cells,” and he posted pictures on Instagram about his travels to London during Pride Month. On December 2012, Jonghyun changed his Twitter profile picture to an image of a message written by a trans bisexual student that criticized South Korea’s discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. This drew both praise and  

SHINee’s Legacy 

   Their hard work, dedication, and overall talent have gained them the title of the “Princes of K-pop.” According to the article “SHINee Takes 5th Win For “HARD” On Show Champion” posted on the website Soompi, the group has won 69 awards and received 138 nominations from various award shows and ceremonies. Some of the notable awards they have won are Golden Disc Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, Melon Music Awards, and Seoul Music Awards.  

   They have been active for over 15 years and have released many albums and singles in both Korea and Japan. Their Japanese debut single “Replay” sold over 100,000 copies, making them the first South Korean group to achieve such a feat. They are one of the most influential and successful K-pop groups in the industry.