SHINee (Korean: 샤이니) is a five-member boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2008. The group debuted on May 25, 2008 on SBS Popular Songs with the single, “누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)”. The group consists of members Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin. SHINee’s official fan colour is pearlescent sky blue and their official fan club name is ‘SHINee World’ entitled after their first studio album and a song from the very album as well.
Pre-debut
SHINee remained a secret until May 18, 2008 when the introduction of the new group surfaced on various articles on the Internet. However, some members of the band had made small appearances without alerting the media about the band. Jonghyun, for instance, lent his voice in a duet with Zhang Liyin, “Wrongly Given Love” (交错的爱), which was recorded in Zhang Liyin’s first Chinese album. Minho appeared in Ha Sangbaek’s fashion show in March 2008. Key appeared as an extra in Super Junior’s official movie, Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. Near the end of the movie, during the song ‘Wonderboy’, he appeared in a school uniform, dancing.
On May 19, 2008 a teaser for the group’s debut music video appeared on their official website. The video was then released on May 22, 2008 and their first mini album on May 23, 2008.
Ha Sang Baek is appointed as their official designer. Their choreographer has also worked with the likes of famous artists such as Beyonce and Britney Spears.
2008: Debut and Beginning Success
SHINee made their debut television appearance on SBS’s Popular Songs on May 25, 2008, performing their first promotional single, “누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)”. The group’s first stage performance was on May 22, 2008 on M.NET’s M! Countdown. On June 7, 2008, SHINee performed at the Dream Concert in the Seoul Olympic Stadium along with other popular Korean stars, and Jonghyun performed in the opening act along with other members from Super Junior and Girls’ Generation as a part of “Dream Band”.
Members from the group have also gone on to making a number of guest appearances on radio shows such as KBS’s Super Junior Kiss the Radio, a radio show hosted by Super Junior members Leeteuk and Eunhyuk. SHINee visited other radio shows that were hosted by other Super Junior members, such as Shindong’s Stop the Boring Time and Sungmin’s Reckless Radio, and Kangin’s Chin Chin Radio, where they performed a few of their songs. They have also made many appearances on various television shows, including Star King and Star Golden Bell.
SHINee received the “Rookie of the Month” award on Cyworld 9 days after their debut and won the “Hot New Star” award at MNet 20’s Choice Award 2008.
SHINee released their full debut album, “SHINee World,” on August 28, 2008. The first single released from the album was “산소 같은 너” [Love Like Oxygen], which is a cover of “Show the World” by Martin Hoberg Hedegaard, originally written by the Danish songwriting/production team of Thomas Troelsen, Remee and Lucas Secon. The official music video has been released. On September 18th, 2008, SHINee’s “Love Like Oxygen” was the #1 song on M! Countdown. A few days afterwards, SHINee received the mutizen award for “Love Like Oxygen” on SBS Inkigayo. On October 3, 2008, SHINee was awarded the “Asia’s Best Newcomer” award at the 5th Asia Song Festival.
SHINee’s first reality show, SHINee’s YunHaNam (hosted by Mnet), had its first episode broadcasted on August 8, 2008. Each episode is loosely based on the five boys’ meeting and date(s) with an older woman (also known as a ‘noona’). At the end of each (30 minute) episode, the noona picks one of the boys as her choice for a solo date. The show’s final, 12th episode was released on October 16, 2008.
At the Asia Song Festival, SHINee member Key informed fans that SHINee would be releasing a repackaged album, which will include the new songs, “아.미.고” [Amigo], [Forever or Never], and a remix of “사.계.한” [Love Should Go On] from their Mini Album, on the 30th of October. A few whispers circulated that the 5-member group has been shooting a music video with the new song “Amigo.” Minho is said to be the main lead of the music video.
The first promotion for SHINee’s new song was held on SBS Inkigayo on October 26, 2008. It is a dance hip-hop song with heavy choreography, similar to that of their song from their first album, “The SHINee World.” On October 30 2008 SHINee won the New Icon award.
SHINee released their third official music video for their new song, 아.미.고 (Ah.Mi.Go)[The title is a shortened version of "If you love a beauty, you shall suffer."], on November 3rd, 2008.
Onew(온유 or 温流) (The Leader)
SHINee’s Shining Leader Onew is the oldest. His stage name ‘Onew’ means soft and caring, which reflects his kind and leader-like personality & attitude. His voice is soft and mellow which puts him as a great vocalist for SHINee.
Stage Name: 온유 / 温流
Real Name: Lee Jinki (이진기)
Nickname: Leader Onew
DOB: December 14th, 1989 (18 int’l; 19 krn)
*The reason why Onew’s age is the same as JH is because Onew’s birthday hasn’t passed yet. He will turn 20 Korean age in December.
Height: 177cm
Bloodtype: O
Hobby/Interest: Music, Piano, Mandarin
Jonghyun(종현 or 鐘鉉) (Bling Bling)
Bling Bling Jonghyun is SHINee’s lead vocal. His nickname ‘Bling Bling’ means that he shines, and with his fantastic voice, it’s no wonder he does. Jonghyun is the second oldest and despite his cool appearance, he can be quite emotional and shy.
Stage Name: 종현 / 钟铉
Real Name: Kim Jonghyun (김종형)
Nickname: Bling Bling Jonghyun
DOB: April 8th, 1990 (18 int’l; 19 krn)
Height: 173cm
Bloodtype: AB
Family: Parents, sister
Hobby/Interest: Watching movies, Popping (dance), Lyrics, Piano, Mandarin
Appearances: Zhang Li Yin’s 交錯的愛 (Wrongly Given Love)
Facts: He’s the shortest out of the whole group. He also studying Chinese in Beijing in 2007.
Key
(키) (The Almighty Key)
SHINee’s 2nd youngest (by korean standards) is Almighty Key, Key. Gifted with skills in both singing, rapping, and dancing, he really is ‘almighty’. Key is also known as one of SHINee’s most fashionable member.
Stage Name: 키
Real Name: Kim Kibum (김기범)
Nickname: The Almighty Key
DOB: September 23rd, 1991 (17 int’l; 18 krn)
Height: 177cm
Bloodtype: B
Hobby/Interest: Rap, Dance, Water Skiing, English, Mandarin
Appearances: Attack of the Pin-Up Boys (2007)
Minho
(민호 or 珉豪) (Flaming Charisma)
SHINee’s very own Charismatic Flame Minho is the tallest among the boys. Minho appears to be a bit soft spoken compared to the others but with his handsome looks and charm, he certainly does stand out. Minho is also considered SHINee’s most fashionable member along with Key.
Stage Name: 민호 / 珉豪
Real Name: Choi Minho (최민호)
Nickname: Charismatic Flame Minho
DOB: December 9th, 1991 (16 int’l; 17 krn)
Height: 181cm
Family: Parents, older brother
Hobby/Interest: Soccer, Basketball, Performing, English
Appearances: Ha SangBaek’s Fashion Show (March 2008), 2008/2009 F/W Pret-a-Porter Busan Fashion Show (May 2008)
Facts: In Ha SangBaek’s Fashion Show, he walked down the run-way like a robot. He studied Chinese in Beijing in 2006 and 2007.
Taemin
(태민 or 泰民) (The Youngest)
Handy Boy Taemin is SHINee’s youngest member. Although he is very young, Taemin is bursting with talent and is SHINee’s best dancer. Known mostly for his mushroom/bowl haircut, he has charmed all the noonas with his cute antics and charming ways.
Stage Name: 태민 / 泰民
Real Name: Lee Taemin (이태민)
Nickname: Handy Boy Taemin
DOB: July 18th, 1993 (15 int’l; 16 krn)
Hometown: Dongbong-gu, Seoul
Height: 175cm
Weight: 50kg
Bloodtype: B
Family: Parents, older brother
Education Graduated middle school
Hobby/Interest: Listening to Music, Popping (dance), Piano, Mandarin
Facts: He’s considered the best dancer out of the group despite being the youngest. He’s studying Chinese in Beijing in 2007.
