Four members, eighteen years of sharp pop and choreography, and a new mini album in 2026. Here is what a new Shawol needs to know.
19years on 25 May 2027 · in 217 days
Quick answers
When did SHINee debut?
On 25 May 2008, with the EP Replay and its lead single "Replay" (in Korean "Noona You're So Pretty").
How many members does SHINee have?
Four active members: Onew (leader), Key, Minho and Taemin. Jonghyun died in December 2017; the group still calls itself a five-member group. SHINee is signed to SM Entertainment, while Onew and Taemin have solo contracts with other agencies.
What is the SHINee fandom called?
Shawol, short for SHINee World.
What does SHINee mean?
"One who receives the light".
Is SHINee still active?
Yes. They held SHINee World VIII: The Invert at KSPO Dome in May 2026 and released the mini album Atmos in June 2026.
The story so far
Debut with the EP Replay.
The SHINee World wins Newcomer Album of the Year at the Golden Disc Awards.
"Sherlock (Clue + Note)", a hybrid of two songs, later named a great boy band song by Rolling Stone.
First solo concert at the Tokyo Dome.
Jonghyun dies. The Story of Light (2018) is dedicated to him.
The members complete military service one by one.
Don't Call Me debuts at No. 1 on the Gaon Album Chart.
Seventeenth anniversary single "Poet | Artist", written and composed by Jonghyun.
Sixth mini album Atmos, after three nights at KSPO Dome.
Start with these 5 songs
ReplayThe debut single, known in Korean as "Noona You're So Pretty".2008
Ring Ding DongOne of their best-known early hits, from the EP 2009, Year of Us.2009
Sherlock (Clue + Note)Two songs merged into one, with choreography by Tony Testa.2012
ViewLead single of Odd and an early K-pop take on deep house.2015
AtmosTitle track of their sixth mini album.2026
Videos play from YouTube, from the official channels, and load only when you press Video. YouTube may then set its own cookies (privacy).
In the Fan Chart
The Fan Chart on The Crowd adds up every fan's top 10. Here is where SHINee stands.
Released his second full-length solo album, Hunter, in August 2025.
Minho
최민호
Name
Choi Min-ho
Born
9 December 1991
Starred in the dramas To the Beautiful You and Hwarang.
Taemin
이태민
Name
Lee Tae-min
Born
18 July 1993
Role
Youngest member
Played a solo set at Coachella 2026; the Grammy Museum opened an exhibit about him.
2008-2010
ReplayEP · title track "Replay"
2009, Year of UsEP · title track "Ring Ding Dong"
LuciferAlbum · title track "Lucifer"
2012-2016
SherlockEP · title track "Sherlock (Clue + Note)"
EverybodyEP · title track "Everybody"
OddAlbum · title track "View"
1 of 1Album · title track "1 of 1"
1 and 1Repackage · title track "Tell Me What to Do"
The Story of Light
The Story of Light Ep.1Album · title track "Good Evening"
The Story of Light Ep.2Album · title track "I Want You"
2021-2026
Don't Call MeAlbum · title track "Don't Call Me"
HardAlbum · title track "Hard"
Poet | ArtistSingle album · title track "Poet | Artist"
AtmosEP · title track "Atmos"
Also on the list: the first studio album The SHINee World (2008), the two-part third album Dream Girl and Why So Serious? (2013), and the later parts of The Story of Light (2018). Plus a run of Japanese releases from 2011 onwards, and solo albums from all four members.
Fandom nameShawol
Short for SHINee World.
Lightstick
Official lightstick; fans light it in pearl aqua.
Official color
Pearl aqua.
Debut anniversary
25 May
The name SHINee
"One who receives the light".
Watch first
SHINee's One Fine DayMBCThe 2013 series in which each member plans his own short holiday.
SHINee's BackMnet M2Behind the scenes of their 2018 comeback, each episode named after a hit.
SHINee-ingYouTubeTheir own challenge variety series, 2023-2024.
Did you know
Taemin was 14 when SHINee debuted.
"Ring Ding Dong" was reportedly banned in some high schools during college entrance exam season.
The 2025 single "Poet | Artist" was written and composed by Jonghyun.
Every episode of SHINee's Back (2018) is named after one of their songs.
Golden Disc AwardsNewcomer Album of the Year for The SHINee World.
Rolling Stone"Sherlock (Clue + Note)" listed among the great boy band songs in 2015 and 2020.
Tokyo DomeFirst solo concert at the venue in 2015.
Gaon Album ChartDon't Call Me (2021) debuted at No. 1.
KSPO DomeThree nights each in 2025 (E.S.S.A.Y) and 2026 (The Invert).
CoachellaTaemin played a solo set in 2026.
Tours
SHINee World VI: Perfect IlluminationA Japan arena tour from September 2023, ending with two nights at Tokyo Dome in February 2024.
SHINee World VII: E.S.S.A.YThree nights at KSPO Dome for the 17th anniversary, with a live band.
SHINee World VIII: The InvertKSPO Dome, 29-31 May 2026, billed as The Trilogy I.
Know your SHINee?Six K-pop questions a day in the Daily, and a collectible card for every finished set.
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