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K-PopNews

Shinee’s back: K-pop boy band return after two years with an online showcase and new album in the pipeline

  • The K-pop band have been on a hiatus for two years, with members doing their military service
  • Now the band has returned, with an online event on January 31 and an upcoming album release

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K-pop boy band Shinee are back, and they’re ready to thrill their fans with an online showcase and a new album. Photo: SM Entertainment
Tamar Herman

This weekend marks the return of Shinee after a break of almost two years.

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The K-pop boy band, who stylise their name as “SHINee”, set the K-pop world abuzz on Wednesday with the news that they would be making their return at the end of this month with a special event, “The Ringtone: SHINee is Back”.

Set to take place online on January 31, the event will look back at the band’s career and introduce some new music. The event will serve as a preview of the upcoming new album, although the release date is still unknown.

The last time the K-pop world heard new music from Shinee was The Story of Light album series in mid-2018, and a final single that September, after which three members of the group – Onew, Minho, and Key – started their national service in South Korea’s military.

In the K-pop industry, boy bands have historically disbanded before their members enter the military, but groups now increasingly rotate members in and out, staying active with various joint or solo releases, which is the route Shinee took.

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During that time, Taemin focused on his solo career and took part in SuperM, a roster-wide boy band featuring artists signed to SM Entertainment, which represents Shinee. The three other Shinee members also launched several of their own projects, including Key releasing a solo EP and Minho sharing a single, while Onew recently launched a YouTube channel after leaving the military in July.
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