SHINEE debuted on May 25, 2008, under South Korean entertainment agency, S.M. Entertainment. Although it was originally a five person boy group, one of their member Jonghyun, passed away in 2017.
In the first week of January, their agency announced that the group is scheduled to have their first comeback in two years, gearing up with a new album. Their seventh studio album “Don’t Call Me” is set to be released on February 22. This comeback may be due to some of the members completing their mandatory military service. Onew finished his service July 2020, while Key completed his in September of the same year. Taemin, due to his young age, still has not completed his service.
While we are waiting for the group’s comeback, here are the things you may not know about the group, SHINee!
Onew
Lee Jin Ki was born on December 14, 1989 in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He attended the Chungwoon University where he got his degree – major in Music Broadcasting. He was already training with S.M. Academy Casting since 2006. Apart from his musical career, he also participated in various dramas.
Throughout the years, he had small roles in various dramas like Dr. Champ” (2010), “Pure Love” (2013), “Royal Villa” (2013) and “Descendants of the Sun” (2016). He won the rookie award at the “2016 Scene Stealer Festival” for his role in the drama “Descendents of the Sun”. He finally made his solo debut in 2018 with his first mini album “VOICE”. He finished his mandatory military service in July 2020.
Key
Kim Ki Bum was born on September 23, 1991 in Daegu, South Korea. Just like Onew, he doesn’t have any siblings. He got his Film and Musical degree from the Myongji University. He also pursued his postgraduate degree from the Woosuk University, majoring in “Culture and Education Contents Development”. He joined SM Entertainment after passing the SM National Tour Audition Casting. Key has been very active outside his musical career, appearing in various films, television series, variety shows, reality shows and even theater productions.
Apart from that, he is well known for being one of the best dressed personality in Korea, some even comparing him to G-Dragon. His impeccable fashion sense catapulted him to be one of SM Fashion Directors and had been involved in designing SHINee’s convert outfit since 2015.
Taemin
Lee Tae Min was born on July 18, 1993 in Seoul, South Korea. Unlike the other two, he has an older brother. He attended Myongji University where he was a Musical and Film major. He has been a trainee at SM since 2005, when he was qualified for the SM Open Weekend Audition Casting. He was the first member among the group who was able to release a solo album – “ACE” with the debut single Danger last 2014.
His next solo album was released two years after, in 2016, entitled “Press It”. He appeared in the famous reality show “We Got Married” and was paired with APink’s Naeun. He has become the butt of many jokes since everything he touches gets lost or breaks, hence the nickname “magic hand Taemin”.
Minho
Choi Min Ho was born on December 9, 1991 in Incheon, South Korea. Just like Taemin, he has an older brother. He has been training with SM after a successful audition at the SM Casting System in 2006. He has appeared in the iconic Girls Generation music video “Gee”.
Aside from that, he has been active in pursuing his acting career. He has participated in several dramas such as “Salamander Guru and The Shadow Operation Team” (2012), “To The Beautiful You” (2012), “Medical Top Team” (2013), “Because It’s The First Time” (2015), “Drinking Solo” (2016), “Hwarang” (2016), “Somehow 18” (2017), and “The Most Beautiful Goodbye” (2017). His latest television appearance was in the romantic television series “Lovestruck in the City” opposite Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won.
Were you surprised that these members appeared in your favorite Korean dramas? Which cameo was your favorite? In the meantime, you can binge watch their drama appearances while waiting for February 22. Can’t wait!
