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SHINee is a prominent South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2008.

SHINee in BKK
SHINee in BKK

The group's name is a newly coined word. It combines "shine," meaning light, with the suffix "ee." This translates to "one who receives the light." The group currently consists of four members: Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin. Originally, the group was a five-member band. One member, Jonghyun, died on December 18, 2017. Because of their massive musical impact, they are often called the "Princes of K-pop." Their music has even been listed among the greatest boy band songs of all time.

The group is defined by a signature musical style of contemporary R&B. However, they are also known for an experimental sound. They frequently incorporate various other genres into their music. These include funk rock, hip hop, and EDM (electronic dance music).

Shinee at the Special Stage Expo (5)
Shinee at the Special Stage Expo (5)

SHINee is also recognized as one of the best live vocal groups in K-pop. Beyond singing, they are famous for highly synchronized and complex dance routines. Their skill in this area is significant. They won the Best Dance Performance Award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards three times in a row. These awards were for their performances of "Sherlock (Clue + Note)," "Dream Girl," and "View."

SHINee debuted in May 2008 with their first extended play (EP) titled *Replay*.

Shinee at the KBS inaugural concert 03
Shinee at the KBS inaugural concert 03

The title track, "Replay," helped them reach the number eight spot on Korean music charts. They quickly gained attention for starting a fashion trend among students. The media referred to this phenomenon as the "Shinee Trend." In August 2008, they released their first Korean studio album, *The Shinee World*. This album debuted at number three and sold 30,000 copies. It won Newcomer Album of the Year at the 23rd Golden Disc Awards. They also won the Best New Male Group award at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival.

As their career progressed, SHINee achieved massive commercial success in South Korea. Their single "Ring Ding Dong" topped several Korean music charts and became popular across Asia. In 2010, they released the album *Lucifer*. This album was the sixth best-selling album of 2010 in South Korea, with over 120,000 copies sold. The songs were carefully selected to show the members' diverse musical characters and mature vocal skills.

Shinee at the 2013 Melon Music Awards 08
Shinee at the 2013 Melon Music Awards 08

Another major success was the 2012 release *Sherlock*. This album became the fifth best-selling album of the year, selling over 180,000 copies.

In 2011, SHINee expanded their reach by signing with EMI Music Japan. This move allowed them to venture into the Japanese music scene. Their Japanese version of "Replay" sold over 100,000 copies. At that time, this was the highest number of sales for a Japanese debut single by a South Korean group recorded by Oricon.

Shinee - 23rd Dong Fang Feng Yun Bang Awards red carpet 02
Shinee - 23rd Dong Fang Feng Yun Bang Awards red carpet 02

Their first Japanese studio album, *The First*, was also certified Gold by the RIAJ for selling over 100,000 copies. During this period, they also achieved a historical milestone in London. They were the first Asian artists to perform at the famous Abbey Road Studios.

SHINee's influence extended into many different areas of culture. In 2011, they participated in the "Help African Children" project. This was organized by the Korean Red Cross Society and the Korean UNICEF committee. They also held a gala concert in London to open the 6th London Korean Film Festival. The tickets for this event sold out within minutes. Additionally, the members have shown individual creativity. In 2011, Taemin, Onew, and Key released a travelogue titled *Children of the Sun*. In this book, they shared stories from a trip to Barcelona, Spain, using their own photos and commentaries.

The group's longevity is reflected in their many successful album releases. Following their early hits, they released *The Misconceptions of Us* (2013), *Odd* (2015), and *1 of 1* (2016). More recent works include *The Story of Light* (2018), *Don't Call Me* (2021), and *Hard* (2023). Their status as major celebrities was confirmed when they were included in the *Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40* twice, in 2014 and 2016. Through their evolution in sound and their technical skill in dance and vocals, SHINee remains a vital part of the global music landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:SHINee in BKK.jpg
SHINee in BKK.jpg
File:Shinee at the KBS inaugural concert 03.jpg
Shinee at the KBS inaugural concert 03.jpg
File:Shinee at the Special Stage Expo (5).jpg
Shinee at the Special Stage Expo (5).jpg
File:Shinee at the 2013 Melon Music Awards 08.jpg
Shinee at the 2013 Melon Music Awards 08.jpg
File:Shinee - 23rd Dong Fang Feng Yun Bang Awards red carpet 02.jpg
Shinee - 23rd Dong Fang Feng Yun Bang...
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