Seventeen years ago, five fresh-faced teenagers debuted with Replay, a gentle R&B track that would quietly ripple across the Korean music scene. It wasn’t loud, but it was unforgettable. That song was the beginning of SHINee.

Today, SHINee, now a quartet consisting of Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin, continue to grow while honouring the memory and legacy of Jonghyun (who tragically passed away in 2017), whose artistry and presence remain foundational to the group’s identity. At a time when K-pop groups come and go with fleeting momentum, SHINee stand strong!

Their latest release, Poet | Artist, is both a tribute and a triumph. The lead single, written by Jonghyun, combines summery electropop with soft reggae grooves. But apart from its addictive rhythm lies an important message that everyday life holds creative potential, that being a “poet” or “artist” is not about fame, but about choosing to see the world with feeling. It’s a song that feels like a gift: soft and full of meaning.

The group performed the song live at their three-night SHINee WORLD VII [E.S.S.A.Y] concert series at Seoul’s KSPO DOME. Thousands filled the venue, singing every lyric, proving once again that SHINee’s story is still being written. Alongside the single is Starlight, a smooth dance-pop track with funky guitars and SHINee’s signature harmonies.

Across their discography, from the stylish minimalism of Replay, to the boldness of Lucifer, to the lush storytelling of The Story of Light, SHINee has consistently changed what a K-pop group can be. Their choreography is legendary: sleek and intense. Their vocals? Impeccable. Live, they are superb!

But perhaps SHINee’s greatest legacy is their ability to connect. Their songs have soundtracked the lives of millions, inspired dance challenges, fan art, and viral moments around the world. They have offered comfort, joy, and community.

Seventeen years in, SHINee is not simply surviving the tides of an ever-shifting industry. They are still charting new paths, beautifully and together. And as they look toward the future, their mission is clear: “We want SHINee to be timeless. Not just for now — we want forever.”

Featured image courtesy SM Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}