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SHINee Key Discusses SM’s Strict Education Program

Key has confirmed that SM Entertainment takes extra measures to avoid dating scandals. During an program focusing on his labelmate Doyoung, the SHINee member opened up about the strict education program he took as part of the company’s requirements.

Key Reveals SM’s Strict Education Program

NCT’s Doyoung made a captivating appearance on Episode 542 of MBC’s popular variety show “I Live Alone,” showcasing not only his culinary prowess but also his unique approach to relaxation. As he demonstrated his cooking skills and shared insights into his dining habits, viewers were treated to a glimpse of Doyoung’s everyday life beyond the spotlight of K-Pop stardom.

However, the lighthearted atmosphere took a turn when Doyoung was posed with a question that delved into the complexities of being a K-Pop idol and maintaining personal relationships. When asked if he ever felt envious of couples, considering the challenges he faces as an idol in pursuing romantic endeavors, Doyoung’s response elicited playful banter from the show’s cast members.

The cast’s humorous reaction, teasing Doyoung about the apparent contradiction in his answer, shed light on the intricacies of navigating personal matters within the confines of the highly scrutinized K-Pop industry. Their jesting commentary highlighted the delicate balance idols must strike between authenticity and discretion when addressing topics as sensitive as dating.

Drawing attention to SHINee’s Key, a seasoned veteran in the K-Pop world and Doyoung’s senior at SM Entertainment, the cast noted his tacit approval of Doyoung’s cautious response. Key’s mention of SM Entertainment’s “ideological education” program offered insights into the rigorous training and preparation undergone by artists to navigate media scrutiny and handle potentially contentious topics like romance.

Key’s acknowledgment of the enduring impact of such education underscored the ongoing challenges faced by artists in reconciling their public personas with their personal lives. Despite his extensive experience in the industry, Key’s ability to effortlessly deflect dating-related inquiries with nonchalant indifference showcased the enduring influence of SM Entertainment’s training regimen.

Doyoung’s appearance on “I Live Alone” not only provided fans with a candid glimpse into his life but also sparked meaningful reflections on the intricacies of fame, privacy, and the perpetual balancing act faced by K-Pop idols in navigating the complexities of personal relationships in the public eye.

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SHINee Key and Minho Renew Contracts With SM Entertainment

The announcement of Key and Minho renewing their contracts with SM Entertainment on April 9th brought joy and excitement to fans around the world. As integral members of the iconic K-pop group SHINee, their decision to continue their careers with the agency reflects a deep-rooted trust and mutual respect between the artists and their management.

Key and Minho of SHINee Renew SM Entertainment Contracts

In their statements, the SHINee members expressed gratitude towards SM Entertainment for their unwavering support and guidance throughout their careers. They credited the agency and its dedicated staff for playing a significant role in shaping them into the artists they are today. From their debut in 2008 to the present day, SHINee and SM Entertainment have shared a journey filled with countless memorable moments and achievements, cementing a bond that goes beyond just business.

Key and Minho’s decision to renew their contracts not only signifies their commitment to SHINee but also signals their desire to explore new opportunities and pursue solo endeavors within the agency. With SM Entertainment’s continued support, they hope to embark on fresh and diverse creative ventures that will showcase their individual talents and contributions to the K-pop industry.

SM Entertainment, in turn, expressed their delight in continuing their partnership with Key and Minho. Recognizing the invaluable trust that underpins this renewal, the agency pledged to provide comprehensive support to ensure the success and growth of both artists. Their commitment to fostering Key and Minho’s development as solo artists underscores SM Entertainment’s dedication to nurturing talent and facilitating artistic innovation.

SHINee in the Future

Since their debut, Key and Minho have captivated audiences with their exceptional talent, charisma, and versatility. As members of SHINee, they have contributed to the group’s phenomenal success and solidified their status as K-pop icons. With this contract renewal, fans can look forward to witnessing their continued evolution as artists and the exciting new chapters that lie ahead for both Key and Minho.

Overall, the decision of Key and Minho to renew their contracts with SM Entertainment represents a reaffirmation of their shared vision and commitment to excellence. As they embark on this next chapter of their careers, fans can rest assured that Key and Minho will continue to shine brightly, both as members of SHINee and as solo artists, leaving an indelible mark on the K-pop landscape for years to come.

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Key Says Iconic SHINee Dance Practice Video Was Leaked by SM Entertainment

Key’s visit to BOYNEXTDOOR’s dorm and his observations about their clothing choices provide a fascinating insight into the evolution of K-pop culture, particularly regarding the presentation of an iconic dance practice video.

Key Reveals The Truth Behind Iconic SHINee Dance Practice Video

As Key reminisced about SHINee’s early days and the casual attire they wore during dance practice sessions, he highlighted a significant shift in the industry’s approach to these videos. In the past, K-pop groups like SHINee didn’t prioritize their appearance during practice sessions, assuming these videos would remain internal and not be released to the public. The focus was solely on perfecting their choreography rather than on their overall look.

Key’s mention of SHINee’s iconic “Lucifer” dance practice video illustrates this point perfectly. The video, now celebrated as a classic among K-pop fans, showcases the group’s exceptional dancing skills but lacks the polished appearance commonly seen in today’s practice videos. Key humorously admits that if they had known the video would be made public, they would have dressed differently and paid more attention to their appearance, including wearing makeup.

However, despite their initial casual approach, SHINee inadvertently set a new standard for the industry. The success and popularity of their practice videos also prompted their company to recognize the value of these informal glimpses into the group’s rehearsal process. Consequently, there was a shift towards producing higher-quality practice videos with better production values, including improved camera work, lighting, and overall presentation.

Key’s visit to BOYNEXTDOOR’s dorm serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of K-pop practice videos and the unintended influence that groups like SHINee had on shaping industry norms. Today, releasing polished and professionally-produced practice videos is also a standard practice for K-pop groups, thanks in part to the inadvertent influence of early videos like SHINee’s “Lucifer.”

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SHINee’s Key and IVE’s Yujin in Teasers for ‘Crime Scene Returns’

Seven years since the release of the well-loved Crime Scene in 2014, the variety program is now set to make its highly-anticipated return as Crime Scene Returns

To recall, Crime Scene is the first-ever RPG (Role-Playing Game) show in South Korea. In this variety program, the guests take on different roles to solve a case. Its first season aired in May 2014, with JBTC launching its second season in April 2015 and third season in April 2017. 

In July 2023, TVING announced that the well-loved is making a comeback. But this time, it will feature a new version and new cast.  

For its new season, the dynamic lineup was revealed to have Key of SHINee and IVE’s Yujin. In the official posters, the two idols were seen striking a pose in a mug-shot-like setting.

The two will be joined by the show’s original cast members Jang Jin, Park Ji Yoon, and Jang Do Min. Meanwhile, actress Joo Hyun Young will also be a new addition to the program.

Aside from the cast, fans are also excited for the treatment in Crime Scene Returns. In a press release, the production team teased: “As the story gets closer to the truth, the story unfolds with twists and turns.”

Fans’ excitement for ‘Crime Scene Returns’

Since it was first announced, netizens have expressed their excitement in seeing how the three new additions will aid in solving the cases. Especially since Key, Hyun Young, and Yujin have already been acknowledged for their respective skills in variety shows.

First, the SHINee member is known to take part in several shows such as the long-running program Amazing Saturday and I Live Alone. Meanwhile, the IVE leader received attention for her fun personality in Na PD’s Earth Arcade series. As for Hyun Young, she has gained popularity for her SNL Korea stints. 

In a pre-released teaser of Crime Scene Returns, both Key and Yujin already showed a hint of their chemistry as the cast played a mafia game. In this clip, the two idols played as the mafias who needed to complete a given mission. Playing as a perfect duo, Yujin unintentionally helped Key in his mission. Although by doing so, she failed hers. 

Crime Scene Returns will premiere on TVING on February 9.

Featured image: Key and Yunjin in the character teasers for ‘Crime Scene Returns.’ Credit: Twitter/TVING

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SHINee’s Key and Taemin Apologize for Commenting on Minho’s Skin Tone

SHINee’s Key, Taemin, along with the content production team at PRISM Production Center, have released apologies in response to the controversy surrounding their alleged insensitive remarks about Minho’s skin tone. The incident occurred in a video that was subsequently removed from SHINee’s YouTube channel.

Key and Taemin Issue Apology For Comments on Fellow SHINee Member Minho’s Skin Tone

During the deleted clip, Key, Taemin, and Minho engaged in a conversation about Minho’s skin tone, which has since been criticized as problematic by many viewers. Recognizing the hurt and offense caused by their comments, Key, Taemin, and the PRISM Production Center also deeply regret their insensitivity. They understand the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect for all skin tones and backgrounds. The group and production team have pledged to learn from this incident and take steps to educate themselves on these issues.

SHINee’s Key, Taemin, and the PRISM Production Center are committed to fostering a more inclusive and understanding community, and they also sincerely apologize to those who were affected by their remarks.

“I deeply apologize for my insensitive remarks in the recent content, and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on feedback from the fans who were disappointed by my comment,” Key wrote. “I will be more careful to make sure that my words and actions are more considerate moving forward.”

“My sincerest apologies for any discomfort and hurt caused by my inappropriate remarks in the recent content,” Taemin wrote. “Thanks to our fans, I fully understand why the comments I made were disrespectul, and I will make a more diligent effort to be careful with my behavior and words in the future.”

PRISM Production Center also assured that the clip has been removed and that Key and Taemin regret their comments. “Moving forward, we will be more cautious and attentive to prevent recurrence,” they wrote in their statement.

In related news, Minho recently went viral for his mesmerizing lip-sync performance to DynamicDuo and DJ Premier’s “AEAO.”

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SHINee’s Movie ‘My SHINee World’ to Be Released on November

Get ready, Shawols! SHINee’s back… in the theaters soon through their documentary film titled MY SHINee WORLD. 

On Monday, September 25, SM Entertainment announced that MY SHINee WORLD, SHINee’s 15th anniversary film, will be released on November 3.

Said film, which was initially set to grace the screens this September, was moved to a later date to enhance the overall completeness of the film.

A Glimpse of MY SHINee WORLD

According to SM Entertainment, MY SHINee WORLD will embody the shining moments of the group and its fandom, Shawols, throughout the last 15 years. 

Moreover, the special film will feature the group’s footsteps through a series of undisclosed content. Which includes thrilling scenes from six of SHINee’s solo concert shows since debut.

In addition, the featured moments will also be presented through various angles and delicate editing. With the use of Dolby Atmos technology, the film aims to provide vivid sounds that will remind the audience of the actual performances.

To appease fans for the changes in release schedule, the agency unveiled a teaser poster on SHINee’s official social media accounts. The poster featured Key, Minho, Onew, Taemin and Jonghyun conquering the stage under the spotlight.

 

15 years with SHINee

Known as the “Princes of K-Pop”, SHINee debuted in May 2008 with their hit single “Replay.” 

Throughout their career, the boy group has been collecting masterpieces in their discography. The list includes “Ring Ding Dong”, “Lucifer”, “Sherlock”, among many others. Unsurprisingly, SHINee became one of the longest-running and most beloved K-Pop acts in the world.

However, in December 2017, the industry was appalled with the sudden news of Jonghyun’s death. Since then, SHINee continued to perform as a four-member group. 

In 2023, SHINee marked their 15th debut anniversary. To celebrate this feat, the multi-talented group has been treating fans with exciting events, including thrilling concerts and “The Moment of Shine pop-up store.

Among these events, Shawols were most delighted with the release of the group’s eight full-length album Hard. The album served as SHINee’s first comeback in more than two years, following the release of Atlantis in 2021.

Recently, Key confirmed that all four members of SHINee renewed their third contract with SM Entertainment. 

Featured image: SHINee during their ‘SHINee World III’ concert. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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Key Reveals Heartwarming Reason for SHINee’s Unusual Stage Formation

Key is opening up about an unusual thing happening during SHINee’s performances. In an eye-opening interview, Kim Ki Bum revealed the heartwarming reason why the group keeps adopting an unusual stage formation. Not surprisingly, it is connected to their former member.

Key Reveals Why SHINee Insists on Unusual Stage Formation

In a recent YouTube video posted on the ‘1theK Originals – Wonder K Original’ channel, SHINee’s Key shared a poignant insight into the group’s stage formation. Key mentioned that he and fellow member Minho often stood closer together than usual, resulting in a noticeable gap in their lineup. The reason behind this, as Key explained, was the absence of their late member, Jonghyun, who had previously filled that spot.

“Since we’ve maintained a 5-person formation for over 10 years- I’ve become so used to that space that I now stand there naturally. It’s not intentional, but it’s something I’ve become accustomed to,” Key said. “It’s quite amazing.”

It was at this moment that he looked at a photo of all five original members sharing the stage, including Jonghyun. Key then added, “This is the arrangement we are maintaining on stage currently.”

Key’s heartfelt revelation sheds light on how SHINee continues to remember and honor Jonghyun who tragically passed away on December 18, 2017. Even in his absence, Jonghyun’s presence within the group remains integral to their performances, highlighting the enduring bond the members share with their late colleague.

This touching tribute to Jonghyun not only underscores the deep emotional connection between SHINee’s members but also serves as a reminder of the lasting impact he had on the group and their fans. Despite the passage of time, his memory and contributions continue to be cherished and celebrated by SHINee and their dedicated supporters.

Key is currently promoting his single album ‘Good & Great’ and its title track of the same name.

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SHINee’s Key Gives GOT7 BamBam Awesome Advice in Talking To His Idol

BamBam just admitted he needs help with something important. Luckily, the GOT7 member is getting all the support he can get from a good friend. SHINee’s Key just gave BamBam some awesome advice about inviting GIRLS’ GENERATION’s Taeyeon on his talk show!

BamBam Gets Awesome Advice From Good Friend Key

During a recent appearance on BamBam’s YouTube program “Bam House Season 2”, SHINee’s Key engaged in a friendly chat with his longtime friend. Among various topics, they discussed BamBam’s deep admiration for GIRLS’ GENERATION member Taeyeon and his aspirations to have her as a guest on his show.

BamBam’s fondness for Taeyeon has been no secret, with him often mentioning her as his idol and even attending her fan signings during his trainee days. Inquisitive about how Taeyeon was doing, BamBam initially received a guarded response from Key, who hesitated to disclose details about her personal life, whether fine or not.

BamBam candidly expressed his ultimate goal of having Taeyeon as a guest on his show. Key playfully advised BamBam to approach the matter with a “calm build-up” and give her time to consider the invitation, suggesting that he might have already attempted to reach out to her.

As the conversation unfolded, Key added a touch of teasing humor by asking BamBam to convey a greeting to Taeyeon. He casually mentioned that he had recently chatted with Taeyeon, who revealed her awareness of “Bam House.”

The lighthearted interaction between Key and BamBam showcased their camaraderie and BamBam’s genuine admiration for Taeyeon. Fans of both idols eagerly await the possibility of Taeyeon making a guest appearance on “Bam House Season 2” in the future.

It’s great to know that Key is truly supportive of BamBam and has awesome advice for his friend. Hopefully, the GOT7 member will eventually convince Taeyeon to make an appearance on his show.

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Look: Shinee’s Key Drops Teaser for ‘Good & Great’

Save the date, SHAWOLs! Key of K-pop group SHINee will be making his comeback as a solo artist. 

On Monday, August 21, the all-rounder released his first teaser for his second solo mini album Good & Great. In the poster, Key appeared to be playing an intern as seen on his ID badge titled “Masterkey.” 

Additionally, Good & Great is confirmed to be released on September 11. 

 

Meanwhile, said album will feature a total of six songs of diverse genres, with the song “Good & Great” as its title track.

The upcoming album will be his first solo release in seven months following Gasoline in February. Moreover, the repackaged album Killer is part of Key’s retro trilogy album. It also includes his first mini-album BAD LOVE and second full-length album Gasoline. 

After his solo releases, Key mainly focused on participating in SHINee’s group activities. The act held a series of concerts titled “SHINee World VI: Perfect Illumination” and a fan meeting for their 15th anniversary. 

Aside from that, SHINee also made a group comeback in June with the album Hard. It served as the act’s first new music in over two years, following Taemin’s military discharge. 

However, only members Minho, Key, and Taemin participated in the album’s promotional activities because Onew took a hiatus due to health issues. 

Featured image: Key for teasers of SHINee’s ‘Hard’ album. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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Variety Show “Crime Scene” to Return After 6 Years

Six years after it aired its third season, South Korean variety series Crime Scene will be returning – but this time, with a new version! 

Crime Scene is a hit role playing game variety show that follows a group of guests who take on different roles as they attempt to solve a murder case. Its first season aired in May 2014, with JBTC launching its second season in April 2015 and third season in April 2017. 

On Tuesday, Wednesday 18, TVING announced that a new season will return through a new title: Crime Scene Returns. 

 

Original cast members Jang Jin, Park Ji Yoon, and Jang Dong Min are confirmed to return for the new season, while SHINee member Key, Joo Hyun Young, and IVEs An Yun Jin were casted as the new additional members. 

Following the announcement, netizens express their excitement in seeing how the three new additions will aid in solving the cases, especially that Key, Hyun Young, and An Yun Jin are also known for their variety chops. Key has been a mainstay in DoReMi Market and I Live Alone, Hyun Young gained popularity for her SNL Korea stints, and An Yun Jin was part of Steel Stroops and Earth Arcade. 

TVING has yet to expound on how they revamped the show for its new season, but Crime Scene Returns is expected to air in early 2024. A final release date has yet to be announced. Stay tuned here for more updates!

Featured image from TVING’s Twitter

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