SHINee

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Kpop group
Group name(s)SHINee, Shinee, 샤이니, シャイニー
MembersOnew (Lee Jinki; 이진기)
Jonghyun (Kim Jonghyun; 김종현)(deceased, Dec 2017)
Key (Kim Kibum; 김기범)
Minho (Choi Minho; 최민호)
Taemin (Lee Taemin; 이태민)
Fandom name(s)SHINee World - fans call themselves Shawols
Fandom symbol(s)Fandom Color: Pearl Aqua
Date(s)May 25, 2008-present
CompanyS.M. Entertainment
See alsoDBSK, Super Junior, EXO, SM Town
Related articles on Fanlore.

SHINee (pronounced "shy-nee") is a South Korean boyband formed by S.M. Entertainment. The group debuted on May 25, 2008 and consists of five members: Onew (Lee Jinki; 이진기), Jonghyun (Kim Jonghyun; 김종현), Key (Kim Kibum; 김기범), Minho (Choi Minho; 최민호) and Taemin (Lee Taemin; 이태민).

They made their debut with their promotional single “Noona Neomu Yeppeo (Replay)” (“누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)”, lit. “Older Girl, You're So Pretty (Replay)”) on SBS’s Inkigayo. Their first released album was called “The Shinee World”. In the following years the band released five Korean and five Japanese full length albums including “Lucifer” which helped rising their popularity. SHINee is considered as one of the best live vocalists and known for dancing with high synchronization to sharp and difficult dance choreography. SHINee has won many awards and held several concert tours.

Fandom

While the official fandom colour is “pearl aqua” (it once was “pearl aqua green”, some might also argue that the colour is “pearlescent sky blue”, but that’s just a mistranslation/misunderstanding [1]), SHINee’s fanclub calls itself “SHINee World” following their first album “The SHINee World”. “샤이니월드” (SHINee World) is read as “sha-i-ni wol-deu” in Romanization. That is why the fans also refer to themselves as “Shawols” getting the first two syllables (“sha” and “wol”) as a combining short form. SHINee’s individual fandom names are MVP's (Onew; from one of his lines in Replay), Blingers (Jonghyun), Flames (Minho), Lockets (Key) and Taemints (Taemin).

The whole fandom is commonly known as a calm and chill fandom with few fandom wars or scandals (except some clashings with Exo-Ls and other minor things such as the time Shawols fought with fans of BBC Sherlock in 2012). SHINee is also popular among not-fans and is rarely criticized; they are considered some of the greats of the 2nd gen of KPOP and very respected by younger idols. Many say they can "practically make every concept work". In July even former US president Obama mentioned them in one of his speeches [2].

In early 2017 SHINee’s fancafe placed with a total of 79,649 members fifteenth in the “boygroup fancafe ranking” by Allkpop which means they lost 8,108 members in 2016. Due to S.M. Entertaiment’s fancafe policy their fancafe might not open again to accept new members.

The band is known for creating their own fashion style called “SHINee Trend” featuring high-top sneakers, skinny jeans, and colorful sweaters designed by Ha Sang-baek (하상백). The style was popular among students and led to producing more of such clothes as well as SHINee advertising several companies. Despite becoming more mature the band managed to keep its unique style. S.M. Entertainment usually even works with up-coming talents rather than established artists and photographers for SHINee’s concepts.

Shipping

SHINee’s RPF Fandom is active creating mostly slash within the group. The stories also often include other bands from S.M. Entertainment like Exo or Super Junior as well as Idols from different labels. Het pairings are mostly built with label mates or own characters, rarely the partners from filming “We got married” are mentioned.

Back in 2012 the pairings Jongyu (Jonghyun x Onew), Minkey (Minho x Key) and 2Min (Minho x Taemin) were super popular in Korea. Ontae (Onew x Taemin) was famous in Japan while international fans were rooting for Jongkey (Jonghyun x Key; the most popular, determined by voting), but Jongtae (Jonghyun x Taemin) and Onkey (Onew x Key) are also appreciated ships. Since they are all quite shippable, no particular pairing dominates in fandom. Of course, some are liked better than others, but SHINee are no strangers to skinship and showing each other their dedication which led to huge variety.

Taemin is sometimes also paired with Kai from Exo (Taekai) because of their close and intense friendship. According to Taemin even his manager once asked him if he and Kai were dating [3]. However, their friendship is well known and loved by fans. Jimin’s and Taemin’s friendship collaboration stage also sparked shipping, but the pairing is not half as famous as Taekai.

Another RPF crossover pairing is Woohyun x Key who in fact had in 2014 their own sub unit called Toheart is also a thing as well as Minho x Suho since they once were really good friends and made up in “Fluttering India”.

Interactions With Fandom

Hence the band members really treasure their fans they did a lot of cute things to show them. For example, in 2012 at the beginning of their “SHINee World II” tour while having concerts in Seoul Jonghyun exposed his affection towards all their fans by transcribing the names of his personal fansites as temporary tattoos on upper body [4]. The fans could see the confession during his and Taemins special stage of “Internet War” where he was performing topless. Another time Key came across a fan of his on Instagram who was cutting. Since this had also been a bad habit of him he encouraged the fan to stop it by responding with a text [5]. She managed to improve while he actually remembered her and congratulated her a year later by liking her new photos keeping his promise to look after his fans. Once the members came without bodyguards to chat with their fans and Onew often has cute interactions with the audience.

Of course, they also do fanservice such as “Internet War”, Key's "Born To Shine" performance or Minho crossdressing and dancing to Girl’s Day’s “Something” [6]. Because of such actions the bond between the band and their fans is really strong despite the strict management of S.M. Entertainment.

Jonghyun's Passing, Effect on Fandom

On the afternoon of December 18, 2017 in KST, it was reported that Jonghyun had attempted suicide via burning coal briquettes, a common method of suicide in South Korea. Later that evening, the hospital declared him dead after failing to resuscitate him. Member Nine9 of the band Dear Cloud, who was a close friend of Jonghyun's, released his suicide note the following day per his request.[1] His funeral was on December 21st, where Key, Onew, Minho, and Taemin served as head mourners, a role typically carried out by family members.[2]

Fans were shocked at the sudden news of his death. Because his final note had mentioned the deep struggle he had with depression, fans acknowledging it began trending the hashtag #MyMentalHealthIn5Words on Twitter.[3]

In memoriam, Shawols and non-Shawols alike changed their icons/headers (most notably on Twitter) to an all-white icon, because "Jonghyun has always been in the dark."[4] Others spread the use of a white icon with a rose[5], though it started some controversy in that a Halsey fan claimed that it was originally artwork for a Halsey album.[6] Later, the artist of the original picture[7] stated that they had drawn it in tribute of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks and that it had no relation to Halsey, but did not mind that people were also using it to mourn Jonghyun.[8]

There was also some controversy of fan accounts, who typically follow or find kpop idols to take pictures of them and post them on the internet, posting videos/pictures of some kidols such as Ailee, BoA, and members of Super Junior, SNSD, Red Velvet, f(x), EXO, BTS, and NCT Dream attending Jonghyun's funeral. Many fans asked these fan accounts to take down the videos/pictures in respect of the idols and Jonghyun, but few have complied.

Fans held candlelight vigils all over the world, in his memory. Jonghyun's twitter account has also become a place for fans to leave him messages, activity that typically picks up around the anniversary of his passing as well as his birthday in April.

Legacy

Jonghyun's passing has had a lasting impact on the SHINee fandom. Jonghyun is considered a "member for eternity," and is commemorated by fans as well as the other members. Lee Eunkyung, Jonghyun's mother, and Kim Sodam, Jonghyun's elder sister, established and continue to run The Shiny Foundation in his honor. The goal of the foundation is to support the mental health and well-being of young artists.[9]

Fans from all around the world can donate to the Foundation at the following link. All proceeds from streaming Jonghyun's music go to his family's foundation.

The events of December 18, 2017 as well as other tragic idol passings have brought increased awareness to issues of mental health in the kpop industry and the many pressures faced by young idols.

Fandom Controversies

Unfortunately, this tragedy has often become fodder to be brought up in online fanwars and disputes in Western kpop fandom.[10] Footage and images from Jonghyun's funeral, showing his grieving family, friends, and colleagues, have also been insensitively used in edits in what can only be described as trauma porn.

Over the years, several specific controversies have highlighted this behavior. For instance, in 2019, American singer Oliver Tree garnered significant backlash for using an image from Jonghyun's funeral to promote his upcoming tour.[11] Tree had replaced the memorial portrait of Jonghyun with his own image.[11] In response, Tree deleted the offending post[11] Renewed calls for an apology in 2021, upon the rediscovery of the post, resulted in Tree's formal apology in October. [12] [13] [14]

In March of 2021, fans were angered once again by the YouTubers Keemstar and Void, who utilized of footage from Jonghyun's funeral in the kpop diss track "All Stans are the Same." The song also contained the lyrics "I wonder why lately man they all committing suicide" in an apparent mockery of the tragedy.[15][16][17] [18]

The inappropriate handling of Jonghyun's passing by non-fans was the centerpiece of the controversies surrounding the play Crazy: For Jonghyun in 2022 and also played a part in the discourse surrounding the New Yorker Article "How BTS Became One of the Most Popular Bands in History" by E. Tammy Kim later that same year.

Example Fanworks

Fanfiction

  • and they took the long way, a Minho/Kibum fic by pearl_o. The most kudosed SHINee-centric fic on AO3. (2021-07-05) Now the second most kudosed one.
  • "Skeleton Flower: Things That Have Been Released and Set Free - A Novel by Kim Jonghyun" by sigani_jina: Unofficial and unauthorized translation of the novel '산하엽: 흘러간, 넣아준 것들' by Kim Jonghyun. I reclaim no authorship of this work outside of the service of transliteration. Please consider my interpretation of the book as personal. I sincerely hope that this can bring Jonghyun's heart closer to you.
  • Shining Sunshine by melandcholywhite: (Taemin/Kai of EXO) Retired dancer Kim Jongin, also known as Taemin's best friend since birth, is adopting a baby. Since he's such a loyal friend, of course Taemin ends up getting roped into raising the child with him. It sounds like an easy enough job at first, but when old feelings start to resurface, Taemin doesn't know anymore.
  • Practice Makes Perfect by life_not_knife: (Taemin/Kai of EXO) 'SM never really closes because there are always people like him who need to practice over and over.'

Fanart

Fan Videos

Fan Projects

  • "Forever SHINee" from "Shinee World the Best 2018" on February 27, 2018 in Tokyo Dome. After Jonghyun's death on December 18, 2017, the remaining members entered into discussions on whether to postpone the concerts and decided to hold them as scheduled. In the concerts, Jonghyun appeared posthumously using isolated vocal tracks and clips from previous performances being played on the video screens. For the final encore, "From Now On", which was the final track he recorded with the group, the remaining members performed with an empty space and microphone stand in the middle of the four, which was illuminated while Jonghyun's vocals were played on tape. The fans showed their support through this project.
  • In Los Angeles in 2018 Always SHINin USA held a screening of SHINee World 5 for Jonghyun's Birthday. All of the proceeds were donated to the SHININ Foundation that Jonghyun's mom founded.
  • When SHINee came to the U.S. and Canada for their tour in March 2017, the organizer for the Canada leg was unable to obtain any merchandise in time for the concerts (U.S. got official merch). This included lightsticks, which meant it was going to be difficult for Shawols to create the iconic pearl aqua ocean. Upon hearing about this, Japanese Shawols worked together to donate about a thousand of their own lightsticks to be shipped and brought over in suitcases in time for the shows (it was very last minute). The owners even included cute notes for the Canadian fans.

Inside Jokes

  • Dibidibidis anthem (Minho rap god)[19][20]

Fanwork Resources

LiveJournal Communities

  • smshinee - general band community created on 22 May 2008
  • taeminho - ship community created on 22 May 2008
  • jongyu - ship community created on 22 May 2008
  • shinee_replay - fanworks community created on 24 May 2008
  • shinee-graphics - graphics community created on 24 May 2008
  • jongkey - ship community created on 2 July 2008
  • onkey - ship community created on 15 July 2008 
  • jongminho - ship community created on 15 July 2008 
  • keyminho - ship community created on 19 August 2008 
  • ontae-love - ship community created on 21 September 2008
  • minhonew - ship community created on 29 September 2008
  • capslock-shinee - a capslock community created on 4 November 2008 
  • shineesmut - NC-17 fanworks community created on 1 December 2008
  • shinee-dayrp - LJRP community created on 6 December 2009
  • SHINee Big Bang - challenge run by shinee_replay mods, community created on 2 February 2010

Challenges

Other

Other Fannish Resources

Official Websites and Social Media Accounts

Together

Korean:

Japanese:

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Jonghyun’s Dear Friend Nine9 Reveals His Final Letter" 19 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  2. ^ "SHINee To Take On Role Traditionally Held By Family Members At Jonghyun’s Funeral" 18 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  3. ^ #MyMentalHealthIn5Words search on Twitter (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  4. ^ Tweet by kjininihae on 18 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  5. ^ Tweet by florwersilky on 18 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  6. ^ "jonghyun icon halsey" search on Twitter (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  7. ^ Tweet by BunnyMiele on 19 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  8. ^ Tweet by BunnyMiele on 19 December 2017 (Accessed 21 December 2017)
  9. ^ https://www.foralwaysjonghyun.com/shiny-foundation-51116458004827751064487315106045208.html
  10. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/gtom1w/i_am_sick_and_tired_of_fandoms_using_jonghyun_as/
  11. ^ a b c https://www.allkpop.com/article/2021/10/fans-demand-a-proper-apology-from-oliver-tree-for-using-late-jonghyuns-funeral-picture-to-promote-his-tour
  12. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpop/comments/q60zge/american_singer_oliver_tree_apologizes_for_using/?captcha=1
  13. ^ https://www.nme.com/news/music/oliver-tree-apologises-using-funeral-image-shinee-jonghyun-backlash-3069118
  14. ^ https://www.allkpop.com/article/2021/10/american-singer-oliver-tree-apologizes-for-using-late-jonghyuns-funeral-picture-to-promote-his-tour
  15. ^ https://www.allkpop.com/article/2021/03/youtuber-keemstar-and-void-under-fire-for-using-footage-of-the-late-jonghyuns-funeral-in-his-k-pop-stan-diss-track
  16. ^ https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/youtubers-keemstar-void-anger-k-053939594.html
  17. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopthoughts/comments/mcysop/the_keemstar_diss_track/?rdt=37010
  18. ^ https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/ban-keemstar-void-youtubers-slammed-allegedly-mocking-jonghyun-s-suicide-k-pop-stans-diss-track
  19. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zFGQwNVVsw (Dibidibidi Rap 2018 + “My name is Minho”)
  20. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9A5BxkxhQc ([ENG] 150530 SHINee SNL Korea - [The ill brothers] part 1)
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