Shinee is legendary. The one you like the is the leader Onew. One of the best voices in Kpop. Shinee is not afraid to try new and different things. Obviously.
SHINee (pronounced SHY-nee) is a 2nd gen., legendary powerhouse that debuted in 2008 with the most revered and greatest debut song in Kpop -- "Replay". It is still covered by newer groups today. At debut, the five-member group were between the ages of 18 and 14 -- Onew, Jonghyun (who we lost in 2017), Key, Minho, and Taemin. Now they are in their 30s and still making music together as more then just members. They are family; true brothers who have weathered the worst storms and stayed steadfast. The word "CAN'T" isn't in their vocabulary. All five of them can sing, rap, and dance. They are also all successful soloists, songwriters, producers, and composers. Key is the guy who designs all their outfits, as well as having an insanely versatile voice. Minho writes most of their rap lyrics, Onew is the leader with "THE VOICE", and Taemin is not only the dance king of Kpop, but also a seductive vocal tempter & awesome rock vocalist with the most Avant Garde MVs in the industry. Jonghyun had the most powerful vocals in the entire Kpop industry and was a major contributor for SHINee, as well as other artists within Kpop, for songwriting, composing, and producing. In fact, he was the first Kpop artist to write/compose/produce his own solo work -- opening the door for successive Kpop artists developing their own works. Because SHINee's history and discography is so VAST in terms of Kpop longevity, newer fans (babywols) and those not familiar often think SHINee are "copying" groups like NCT or some other 4th gen group, or that this is something new for them. What they don't realize is that SHINee actually mentored both EXO and NCT as they are all with the same company. Heck, Taemin (the actual maknae of SHINee) is still mentoring both groups through SuperM, as he's been dubbed "Taemrisa" by them for his motherly care for them. What they also don't realize is that SHINee were originally supposed to be a Hip-Hop group. However that changed early on due to SHINee's spectacular vocals and ability to sing anything SM threw at them. They were ultimately billed as a contemporary group which left them open to experiment and explore different genres. Thus, some of their earliest songs were Hip-Hop inspired: "Get Down" (2009); "Up & Down" (2010); "Alive" & "Trigger" (2015); and of course 2021's "Don't Call Me". Therefore, this is not something new for SHINee, as it harkens back to the 90s Hip-Hop sound which they emulated earlier in their career. As with much of their music, SHINee here is referencing their past MVs, individual solo work, as well as a smattering of SuperM -- because of 1) Taemin and 2) SM Universe (Kwangya) as indicated by the foreshadowing and funky tone at the end of the MV. However, I also think this MV represents a very bold statement from SHINee that is synonymous with Taemin's equally bold rhetoric from his 2021 song/MV, "Advice". Therefore, the most prominent symbolism I see in this MV is harkening back to "Advice" (the central figure being the Piano, Taemin's painted hands, and the generally aggressive rhetoric) but there are others as well: Again, with the piano, we see it is initially represented in a "Circle" (Onew's latest title track) which also symbolizes eternity. The blue water gushing from the piano and the waves crashing into Onew are reminiscent of "Atlantis". Taemin's 2020 "Criminal" with the figures in white pressing against a screen in the background of Taemin's rap and the reference to "criminal" in the chorus. The pristine black & white aesthetic of the beginning of the MV as it is in the middle of Taemin's "Criminal". The brothers being dragged down into the piano itself, as Taemin was in the "underground hellish pit of lava in "Criminal". Key's "Hate That" video is represented by Minho standing on the same rocky outcropping where Key and Taeyeon were perched in the same lighting and scenery. The animation is the same style as Onew's collab with Punch for their MV, "Way". Minho absorbing all the light and turning into a flame reflects his early SHINee nickname of "flaming charisma" due to his fiery passion and extreme competitiveness. We also have Key referencing an astra (star) in the lyrics. This could be a reference to Jonghyun, as he is also referred to as a "Diamond" in the sky, and the brothers will often point or look up toward their brother in the sky when singing, as was the case in their recent pre-release, "The Feeling". I think the overall message simplified is that SHINee is bigger than anyone's limited, individual imagination -- as Taemin represented clearly with his oversized body in a very small room within his head in "Advice". Don't try to box them into one genre, one sound, and one identity (ironically/coincidentally the title of a b-side song on this album and also the title of one of Taemin's solo songs). Don't try to confine their creativity to your own ideal/expectations. They don't and have never conformed to such ideas, as the company realized years ago beginning in 2015, as they began relinquishing some of their control over the creative process to SHINee. SHINee doesn't care whether their music is fitting into the industry trends or standards. They have always been the ones who set the trends and standards through their experimentation: singing live from the beginning during performances, upping the ante and complexity of choreographies while singing live, dance practice videos, fashion trends, inventing hybrid songs with "Sherlock", introducing new genres of music like Deep House and Dubstep to Kpop, instituting new fashion trends like skinny jeans and heavy eye make-up. And who could EVER forget "Internet War" and "Born to SHINe". These are just to name a few. SHINee transformed the Kpop landscape from the moment they first hit the stage in 2008. They have no fear. The music doesn't dictate to them; they can't be held captive by the restrictions of what's trendy at the time or appropriate -- they dictate the music. They are going back to their roots to start their second act. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride!
SHINee is known for being very experimental so this is pretty new sound for them actually. You might like another song from them more (especially their live performances). All of them also have a Solo carrier so you could check that out too. The one you liked in Onew, the leader! He also had a comeback recently called "Circle" which you might like. My favorite from him is Blue.
Thanks for your reaction to SHINee. I liked how you went into detail about the production of the track. SHINee is an experimental group so their songs fall into a lot of different genres, but they always have a distinctive sound and I think that is because of their strong vocals and harmonies. I'd recommend trying out some more of their songs if you'd like: Atlantis (electro-pop), The Feeling (a summer track for the fans), View (deep house), Everybody (dubstep), Replay (R&B), Why So Serious (funk rock), or really whatever song you want to try. Their B-sides are the best too.
This song is hard to digest in one sitting but I think if you listen to it a few times you'll find yourself super hooked.. a total earworm. You should deffo check out Don't Call Me and also Atlantis next!
The voice you like is Onew, the leader and oldest. He is very well known for his unique tone and techniques. He sang opera, held a 40sec note. Would love for you to check out his solo albums Voice (ballad), Dice (variety genre) and Circle (amazing album). They all have amazing albums as soloist and group and vocals they can sing in many ranges and styles
Congratulations, you've just experienced the Princes of K-pop! SHINee are genuinely a top tier group who still feel like they're at the height of their game fifteen years later. To put in perspective the staying power of SHINee, many of their fans have been life long (while also bringing in new fans) and they are still lauded in the industry by fellow artists and critics alike. Hard is definitely a jump forward sound wise, but it fits their contemporary title as a band and also re-explores some of their hip hop roots in a new way. I always tell people exploring SHINee for the first time - if you don't love one thing, keep going, you're very likely to love something else A LOT. They have explored such a wide range of genres in their career, that it's very difficult not to find something that will blow you away. These are five guys who are highly skilled vocally and creatively, so much so that all of them have become extremely well known in the industry not just as SHINee, but as soloists in their own right. SHINee was debuted as an experimental group by SM and because of that, they're often pushing ahead and setting trends in the industry in terms of sound, fashion, and dancing. In fact, they were the group to introduce house to the k-pop world with their title track 'View'. So, I definitely recommend checking them out and seeing what sticks, especially because you enjoy their sound and vocals. Most of their tracks don't necessarily put together so many different genres. Though it's something I've personally come to love about the track. SHINee are also known as ballad and live performance kings, as well as excelling in R'n'B, electronic, dance, house, funk, and a hoard of other styles of music - they've even played a little with rock. To put it in perspective, they've sold out Tokyo Dome just for their fan meets. Unless you fundamentally don't like their color/vibe, you're bound to find something you really love. I highly recommend their debut, 'Replay' if you like nostalgic R'n'B, their last releases 'Atlantis' and 'Don't Call Me,' as well as famous ones 'View' and 'Sherlock,' though most of them are famous. SHINee has fifteen years of Korean and Japanese discography behind them and their b-sides are incomparable. I also recommend checking out the album for Hard, as the rest of the album explores some of SHINee's other well known sounds in a really new, refreshing way. One of my favorites is 'Sweet Misery,' but 'Satellite' and 'Insomnia' are some other greats (the whole album is great tbh). Some people find diving into the full journey with SHINee a life changing and emotional experience, so if you come to like them, I really suggest it. I really enjoyed your reaction and breakdown of what you were enjoying, by the way, as well as your honesty. Definitely my favorite kind of reaction. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts with us! Note: The vocalist you enjoyed is Onew (Lee Jinki), the leader of SHINee. He's very well respected for his strong and beautiful vocals in Korea and Japan and in the music industry. I highly recommend checking out his last solo 'Cicle' and the one before that, 'Dice,' as well as his Tokyo Dome performance/cover of 'Rainy Blue' (though that one might get blocked). You definitely wont be disappointed.
This is SHINee (shiny with slightly elongated “e” sound), the undisputed Princes of KPOP and Idols’ Idols. ♥️ They debuted over 15 years ago as an experimental group tasked with introducing new music genres and styles, fashion, and concepts…which they’re still accomplishing today! The one you pointed out is our dearest Dubu OnLeader, Lee Jinki (stage name Onew). The other members include Jonghyun (our forever member who is no longer physically with us), Kibum (stage name Key, wearing the shorts and known as one of the best dressed men in South Korea who is also a fashion director for SM Entertainment), Minho (deeper, honey-voiced rapper), and Taemin (one of the best dancers in Korea, amazing vocalist, had the blue-painted hands and sang the first part of the bridge). Not only do they comprise the most amazing group, but all five members are accomplished soloists. In fact, SHINee is the only group in KPOP in which all its members have charted #1 on Worldwide iTunes as soloists. I appreciate your reaction and honesty! One of the best things about SHINee is the fact they are incredibly diverse and have a ginormous discography. After 15+ years of Korean works, 12+ years of Japanese works, and nearly 9 years of solo works, you’re sure to find things you’ll love! 💎💎💎💎💎
They always show a different version of themselves with this unique essence and what I love, they evolve with their music. I love rap and melody and the bridge is divine. SHINee back Next 1 of 1 ,VIEW, ATLANTIS
With "Hard," SHINee is just doing what we have all come to expect from them -- showing us something that has never been seen or heard before and starting a new trend. Nothing you hear from them will ever be like anything you have ever seen or heard before. They raise the bar even higher with every comeback. And that's what makes them SHINee. :D With every new song release, SHINee are expected to come out with a style and sound that is brand new, not only for them, but in the industry as a whole. SHINee is pronounced like Shiny, as in shiny stars or shiny diamonds. Their name has a double ee to show just how brilliantly they SHINe(e) and their name means "the ones who receive light." What you just experienced is exactly what makes SHINee legends. And this is the reason why they are so highly respected, and why almost everyone in the industry who came after them cites them as one of their biggest influences and one of the reasons why they wanted to become a singer and dancer, etc. The whole reason why they chose "Hard" for their title track is because they wanted to show everyone that SHINee can do any genre, including hip-hop.They killed this. This will definitely be a contender for album of the year. And, switching up the beat and style of the song in the middle of a song as part of the dance break section is pretty much how the majority of SM Entertainment's songs are structured. It's kind of SM's signature style. You will hear that same thing happen in a a lot of the songs you listen to from SM. This song was wrote by Kenzie, who is an SM songwriter and producer that has wrote a large majority of SM songs. She even has her own studio at SM. The fact that this song is nothing like anyone expects and different than anything out there, is exactly what makes it a SHINee song. SHINee were designed to be SM Entertainment's experimental boy group, so everything they do is meant to be the first and they are expected to create the trend. With every new song SHINee produces it's expected to be different than the last, so you will never hear the same style or sound from them. But it will somehow always have that SHINee feel. With "Hard" this is really just SHINee going back to their roots. Before debut SHINee was actually training to be a hip-hop group. However, as Key tells it, SHINee just didn't have the swag to pull off hip-hop full time, so last minute SM decided to change up their style to the contemporary R&B style of their debut song "Replay" that they have now become known for. "Hard" just proves that in the end, SM wasn't wrong and SHINee has no problem in the world of hip-hop, but their destiny and calling was to be a group that never ties themselves down to just one style or genre. They were meant to show the world that they can be diverse and unique and never do the same thing twice. With every release that SHINee has they are expected to flip the script and change things up in the Kpop industry. That's why when SHINee makes a comeback everyone pays attention because they are looking to SHINee to show them what the industry's next song style and dance trend will be. It is actually said that within 3 months of SHINee making a comeback that you will see that same sound and dance style being duplicated across the industry with every comeback to follow for both boy groups ad girl groups. When SHINee does something the industry takes note and follows suit. You just discovered why SHINee still hold one of the top spots after more than 15 years in the industry. If you are impressed now, just wait until you go through their entire discography of songs and MVs. So far, they have 14 full-length albums (8 Korean albums and 6 Japanese albums), several repackaged albums, a multitude of mini albums, numerous OSTS, they each have solo songs and albums and there are hundreds of live performances that will absolutely leave you speechless with their talent. And it only gets more and more impressive as you follow them through their career. They have accomplished a lot in the past 15+ years and they are one of the groups that made Kpop what it is today. However, if you want to see where SHINee truly shines, you have to see their live performances. When SHINee debuted in 2008, Onew (the leader and lead vocalist) was 18, Jonghyun (the main vocalist and songwriter) had just turned 18, Minho (the main rapper and sub-vocalist) and Key (lead vocalist and sub-rapper) were 16 and Taemin (Main dancer and lead vocalist) was 14. However, now SHINee are known for the fact that there are no longer any fixed roles in their group. The main vocalists can rap, the rappers can fill in as main vocalists and they all are impressive dancers. SHINee are some of the most well respected artists in the industry. Onew (Pronounced Oh-New in English or On-New with a Korean accent, real name Lee JinKi) -- the one the amazing high notes -- is the leader of the group and he has one of the most unique voices in the industry. (Onew means, or sounds like, the Korean words for soft or gentle, so he was given his stage name because he has a very calm and gentle personality.) He is one of the most coveted male voices that all other singers dream of getting a chance to collaborate with. His vocals are unmatched. He even holds the record (40+ seconds) for the longest continuous note without changing tone or pitch. Key -- in the suit with the shorts -- is our fashionista of the group who is SHINee's stylist for a lot of their MVs and stage outfits. SHINee are known for setting trends and never being afraid to experiment, so Key is recognized for really paying attention to detail when it comes to fashion. He has a reputation for always being unique and wanting to stand out. He is an amazing singer and is a sub-rapper in the group. (Notice how Key was singing through his clenched teeth in the last part of the song when they were all dressed in black. And he still sounded perfect while giving off the "Hard" vibes that the song required. Just one of the many unique elements of this song that only SHINee can pull off.) He is also considered SHINee's dance copy machine. Key has the ability to see and remember choreography the fastest in the group. He has a photographic memory when it comes to choreography, so he only needs to watch the dance once and he has it memorized. He is also SHINee's fluent English speaker, and he is almost as good as a native speaker. Minho -- the tall one -- is the main rapper and visual of the group, but his vocals are also some of the best in the industry. Minho sings just as much as he raps. He also writes most of his own raps in SHINee's songs. Minho is a top actor and he has starred in numerous dramas and movies. He is also known as a star athlete. He says these days he goes to the gym a couple of times a day to work out just because he likes to work out, but he is also crazy about soccer, and he plays basketball, baseball and golf, and he is good at track and field events, etc., as well. And not only does he enjoy playing all those sports, but he is usually the best athlete on the field and he pretty much wins every time. Minho's nickname is "Flaming Charisma," and one reason is for his intense passion for sports and his need to always win. And Taemin -- the blond -- is considered one of THE BEST dancers in the industry (one of the top 2 best dancers of all dancers in Kpop), and that's not just by fans but by everyone in the industry, including his peers. Taemin's nickname is the Korean Michael Jackson. He is also one of the most popular male solo artists and he is a member of the Kpop supergroup SuperM. Taemin truly is art when it comes to his performances. Although Jonghyun wasn't in the MV -- because he passed more than 5 years ago -- in order to get to know SHINee, you have to get to know him as well. He is known as one of the best vocalist in Kpop whose voice was unmatched. He also was one of the most prolific songwriters and composers of his generation. Jonghyun wrote and composed almost 40% of SHINee's songs, plus he wrote all of his own solo songs and numerous songs for other artists. He was one of the only SM artists to be given complete artistic control over his work, including several of SHINee's song selections. SM knew that if Jonghyun was involved in any way that the song would be a hit. He was extremely respected within the industry as a songwriter, composer and singer. He was one of the very first Idols to be known for this songwriting and composing skills. Once you get to know their voices you will always be able to pick them out of a crowd just by the sound of their voice. Most fans will tell you we know who is speaking or singing within 1 second even with our eyes closed, with them standing in a crowd of screaming fans. Each of their voices are that unique -- there is no one with a voice like any of theirs. That is why they are "The Princes of Kpop". SHINee are known for their live vocals and amazing dancing. They are known as CD-quality singers because they sound just as good live, if not better, than they do recorded. SHINee always sings live. The ONLY thing they are not good at is lip syncing so they avoid it at all costs, so when you hear SHINee singing 95% of the time it will be live. They have trained their entire career to build endurance and stamina in order to be able to sing live and continue to sound flawless while performing extremely complex choreography for more than 3 hours straight in concert. SHINee set the standard. That is why they are so highly respected among their peers. It is literally referred to as the SHINee standard. It's the standard all other groups strive to reach.
Really interesting reaction. SHINee has always been known as an experimental group, they wanted to to give hip-hop another try so this was a somewhat new sound for them. SM Entertainment (the label SHINee is under) seems to like making songs that are a mash of different genres , I enjoy when they get a bit weird with it but I can definitely understand it being a bit much for people. Would definitely be interested in seeing a reaction to their songs 1 of 1 (early 90s inspired), View (deep house), Married to the Music (funky disco) or any of their other mv's and solo work tbh
dem jointz who worked with dre dre, eminem, kayne west, rihanna etc did the second second of the album JUICE. I understand your point about too many genres and it's true. In kpop song that have mv are the title track and have breaks and bridge so i get use that's why i liked it Hope you will enjoy and discover this fantastic group and every member have their own vibes and style in their solo songs
It's pronounced Shine-E, or Shiny, and this is a new experimental sound for them, but they are always doing new stuff. Songs you may like better are The Feeling, from the same album as HARD, or older tracks such as Atlantis, View, Married To The Music, or Dream Girl.
Great track. Seem like a very talented band with clear ideas and production. But I listened to this in the car and thought I was driving to fast and the furious end credits. I was half expecting to stop at the lights, peek down and see Dom & Brian smacking down in a 80's montage
🎉 @Part Time Geek.... Congratulations on becoming a Shawol (a SHINee fan member representative of SHINee + World) with your spot reaction of "HARD!" 🎉 ShawolOT5 and Saddlemamma's comments pretty much summed up what I wanted to mention. However I also wanted to add that Minho is very involved in the K-drama scene (his most recent work was the male lead in "The Fabulous." I stand several K-Pop groups, but Onew is my ultimate Korean vocalist. Unfortunately, he is currently facing some medical issues that is limiting his participation in many of the usual comeback activities. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can safely return to the 5 when he is ready. I loved the honesty of your reaction ( as well as absence of profanity ). Your mentioning of the 5 various genres in this 1 song was very perceptive, as they represent all 5 members within their 15 years of existence. This was my first exposure to your channel --- I am now subscribed and will be looking into your prior reactions as well as your future ones ( hopefully to include many of SHINee ) 🎶
SHINEe. Es la máxima expresión de la musica del KPOP .Ellos imponian su genero y la musica que querían en cada álbum todos diferentes .Son conocidos como los CDNEE por sus maravillosas voces y armonías cuando cantan en vivo pliss reacciona al álbum HARD y ADVICE MV de TAEMIN. El es miembro de SHINEe .
more SHINee please! they're an amazing group, very talented and their discography spanning 15 years is immaculate.
Shinee is legendary. The one you like the is the leader Onew. One of the best voices in Kpop. Shinee is not afraid to try new and different things. Obviously.
Facts ❤
they always try new genre of music! married to the music and replay is good!!!
My favs
they have just returned after being in the army its their come back their first song 2008 the song is all about keeping at the top its raw. hard
SHINee (pronounced SHY-nee) is a 2nd gen., legendary powerhouse that debuted in 2008 with the most revered and greatest debut song in Kpop -- "Replay". It is still covered by newer groups today. At debut, the five-member group were between the ages of 18 and 14 -- Onew, Jonghyun (who we lost in 2017), Key, Minho, and Taemin. Now they are in their 30s and still making music together as more then just members. They are family; true brothers who have weathered the worst storms and stayed steadfast. The word "CAN'T" isn't in their vocabulary. All five of them can sing, rap, and dance. They are also all successful soloists, songwriters, producers, and composers. Key is the guy who designs all their outfits, as well as having an insanely versatile voice. Minho writes most of their rap lyrics, Onew is the leader with "THE VOICE", and Taemin is not only the dance king of Kpop, but also a seductive vocal tempter & awesome rock vocalist with the most Avant Garde MVs in the industry. Jonghyun had the most powerful vocals in the entire Kpop industry and was a major contributor for SHINee, as well as other artists within Kpop, for songwriting, composing, and producing. In fact, he was the first Kpop artist to write/compose/produce his own solo work -- opening the door for successive Kpop artists developing their own works.
Because SHINee's history and discography is so VAST in terms of Kpop longevity, newer fans (babywols) and those not familiar often think SHINee are "copying" groups like NCT or some other 4th gen group, or that this is something new for them. What they don't realize is that SHINee actually mentored both EXO and NCT as they are all with the same company. Heck, Taemin (the actual maknae of SHINee) is still mentoring both groups through SuperM, as he's been dubbed "Taemrisa" by them for his motherly care for them. What they also don't realize is that SHINee were originally supposed to be a Hip-Hop group. However that changed early on due to SHINee's spectacular vocals and ability to sing anything SM threw at them. They were ultimately billed as a contemporary group which left them open to experiment and explore different genres. Thus, some of their earliest songs were Hip-Hop inspired: "Get Down" (2009); "Up & Down" (2010); "Alive" & "Trigger" (2015); and of course 2021's "Don't Call Me". Therefore, this is not something new for SHINee, as it harkens back to the 90s Hip-Hop sound which they emulated earlier in their career.
As with much of their music, SHINee here is referencing their past MVs, individual solo work, as well as a smattering of SuperM -- because of 1) Taemin and 2) SM Universe (Kwangya) as indicated by the foreshadowing and funky tone at the end of the MV. However, I also think this MV represents a very bold statement from SHINee that is synonymous with Taemin's equally bold rhetoric from his 2021 song/MV, "Advice". Therefore, the most prominent symbolism I see in this MV is harkening back to "Advice" (the central figure being the Piano, Taemin's painted hands, and the generally aggressive rhetoric) but there are others as well: Again, with the piano, we see it is initially represented in a "Circle" (Onew's latest title track) which also symbolizes eternity. The blue water gushing from the piano and the waves crashing into Onew are reminiscent of "Atlantis". Taemin's 2020 "Criminal" with the figures in white pressing against a screen in the background of Taemin's rap and the reference to "criminal" in the chorus. The pristine black & white aesthetic of the beginning of the MV as it is in the middle of Taemin's "Criminal". The brothers being dragged down into the piano itself, as Taemin was in the "underground hellish pit of lava in "Criminal". Key's "Hate That" video is represented by Minho standing on the same rocky outcropping where Key and Taeyeon were perched in the same lighting and scenery. The animation is the same style as Onew's collab with Punch for their MV, "Way". Minho absorbing all the light and turning into a flame reflects his early SHINee nickname of "flaming charisma" due to his fiery passion and extreme competitiveness. We also have Key referencing an astra (star) in the lyrics. This could be a reference to Jonghyun, as he is also referred to as a "Diamond" in the sky, and the brothers will often point or look up toward their brother in the sky when singing, as was the case in their recent pre-release, "The Feeling".
I think the overall message simplified is that SHINee is bigger than anyone's limited, individual imagination -- as Taemin represented clearly with his oversized body in a very small room within his head in "Advice". Don't try to box them into one genre, one sound, and one identity (ironically/coincidentally the title of a b-side song on this album and also the title of one of Taemin's solo songs). Don't try to confine their creativity to your own ideal/expectations. They don't and have never conformed to such ideas, as the company realized years ago beginning in 2015, as they began relinquishing some of their control over the creative process to SHINee. SHINee doesn't care whether their music is fitting into the industry trends or standards. They have always been the ones who set the trends and standards through their experimentation: singing live from the beginning during performances, upping the ante and complexity of choreographies while singing live, dance practice videos, fashion trends, inventing hybrid songs with "Sherlock", introducing new genres of music like Deep House and Dubstep to Kpop, instituting new fashion trends like skinny jeans and heavy eye make-up. And who could EVER forget "Internet War" and "Born to SHINe". These are just to name a few. SHINee transformed the Kpop landscape from the moment they first hit the stage in 2008. They have no fear. The music doesn't dictate to them; they can't be held captive by the restrictions of what's trendy at the time or appropriate -- they dictate the music. They are going back to their roots to start their second act.
All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride!
SHINee is known for being very experimental so this is pretty new sound for them actually. You might like another song from them more (especially their live performances).
All of them also have a Solo carrier so you could check that out too.
The one you liked in Onew, the leader! He also had a comeback recently called "Circle" which you might like. My favorite from him is Blue.
Thanks for your reaction to SHINee. I liked how you went into detail about the production of the track. SHINee is an experimental group so their songs fall into a lot of different genres, but they always have a distinctive sound and I think that is because of their strong vocals and harmonies. I'd recommend trying out some more of their songs if you'd like: Atlantis (electro-pop), The Feeling (a summer track for the fans), View (deep house), Everybody (dubstep), Replay (R&B), Why So Serious (funk rock), or really whatever song you want to try. Their B-sides are the best too.
This song is hard to digest in one sitting but I think if you listen to it a few times you'll find yourself super hooked.. a total earworm. You should deffo check out Don't Call Me and also Atlantis next!
Also The Feeling, since it was released just a few weeks ago 🤭
The voice you like is Onew, the leader and oldest. He is very well known for his unique tone and techniques. He sang opera, held a 40sec note. Would love for you to check out his solo albums Voice (ballad), Dice (variety genre) and Circle (amazing album). They all have amazing albums as soloist and group and vocals they can sing in many ranges and styles
Congratulations, you've just experienced the Princes of K-pop! SHINee are genuinely a top tier group who still feel like they're at the height of their game fifteen years later. To put in perspective the staying power of SHINee, many of their fans have been life long (while also bringing in new fans) and they are still lauded in the industry by fellow artists and critics alike. Hard is definitely a jump forward sound wise, but it fits their contemporary title as a band and also re-explores some of their hip hop roots in a new way.
I always tell people exploring SHINee for the first time - if you don't love one thing, keep going, you're very likely to love something else A LOT. They have explored such a wide range of genres in their career, that it's very difficult not to find something that will blow you away. These are five guys who are highly skilled vocally and creatively, so much so that all of them have become extremely well known in the industry not just as SHINee, but as soloists in their own right.
SHINee was debuted as an experimental group by SM and because of that, they're often pushing ahead and setting trends in the industry in terms of sound, fashion, and dancing. In fact, they were the group to introduce house to the k-pop world with their title track 'View'. So, I definitely recommend checking them out and seeing what sticks, especially because you enjoy their sound and vocals. Most of their tracks don't necessarily put together so many different genres. Though it's something I've personally come to love about the track.
SHINee are also known as ballad and live performance kings, as well as excelling in R'n'B, electronic, dance, house, funk, and a hoard of other styles of music - they've even played a little with rock. To put it in perspective, they've sold out Tokyo Dome just for their fan meets. Unless you fundamentally don't like their color/vibe, you're bound to find something you really love. I highly recommend their debut, 'Replay' if you like nostalgic R'n'B, their last releases 'Atlantis' and 'Don't Call Me,' as well as famous ones 'View' and 'Sherlock,' though most of them are famous. SHINee has fifteen years of Korean and Japanese discography behind them and their b-sides are incomparable. I also recommend checking out the album for Hard, as the rest of the album explores some of SHINee's other well known sounds in a really new, refreshing way. One of my favorites is 'Sweet Misery,' but 'Satellite' and 'Insomnia' are some other greats (the whole album is great tbh). Some people find diving into the full journey with SHINee a life changing and emotional experience, so if you come to like them, I really suggest it.
I really enjoyed your reaction and breakdown of what you were enjoying, by the way, as well as your honesty. Definitely my favorite kind of reaction. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts with us!
Note: The vocalist you enjoyed is Onew (Lee Jinki), the leader of SHINee. He's very well respected for his strong and beautiful vocals in Korea and Japan and in the music industry. I highly recommend checking out his last solo 'Cicle' and the one before that, 'Dice,' as well as his Tokyo Dome performance/cover of 'Rainy Blue' (though that one might get blocked). You definitely wont be disappointed.
This is SHINee (shiny with slightly elongated “e” sound), the undisputed Princes of KPOP and Idols’ Idols. ♥️ They debuted over 15 years ago as an experimental group tasked with introducing new music genres and styles, fashion, and concepts…which they’re still accomplishing today! The one you pointed out is our dearest Dubu OnLeader, Lee Jinki (stage name Onew). The other members include Jonghyun (our forever member who is no longer physically with us), Kibum (stage name Key, wearing the shorts and known as one of the best dressed men in South Korea who is also a fashion director for SM Entertainment), Minho (deeper, honey-voiced rapper), and Taemin (one of the best dancers in Korea, amazing vocalist, had the blue-painted hands and sang the first part of the bridge). Not only do they comprise the most amazing group, but all five members are accomplished soloists. In fact, SHINee is the only group in KPOP in which all its members have charted #1 on Worldwide iTunes as soloists.
I appreciate your reaction and honesty! One of the best things about SHINee is the fact they are incredibly diverse and have a ginormous discography. After 15+ years of Korean works, 12+ years of Japanese works, and nearly 9 years of solo works, you’re sure to find things you’ll love! 💎💎💎💎💎
They always show a different version of themselves with this unique essence and what I love, they evolve with their music.
I love rap and melody and the bridge is divine.
SHINee back
Next 1 of 1 ,VIEW, ATLANTIS
It's actually pronounced like "shiny"
With "Hard," SHINee is just doing what we have all come to expect from them -- showing us something that has never been seen or heard before and starting a new trend. Nothing you hear from them will ever be like anything you have ever seen or heard before. They raise the bar even higher with every comeback. And that's what makes them SHINee. :D With every new song release, SHINee are expected to come out with a style and sound that is brand new, not only for them, but in the industry as a whole.
SHINee is pronounced like Shiny, as in shiny stars or shiny diamonds. Their name has a double ee to show just how brilliantly they SHINe(e) and their name means "the ones who receive light."
What you just experienced is exactly what makes SHINee legends. And this is the reason why they are so highly respected, and why almost everyone in the industry who came after them cites them as one of their biggest influences and one of the reasons why they wanted to become a singer and dancer, etc.
The whole reason why they chose "Hard" for their title track is because they wanted to show everyone that SHINee can do any genre, including hip-hop.They killed this. This will definitely be a contender for album of the year.
And, switching up the beat and style of the song in the middle of a song as part of the dance break section is pretty much how the majority of SM Entertainment's songs are structured. It's kind of SM's signature style. You will hear that same thing happen in a a lot of the songs you listen to from SM. This song was wrote by Kenzie, who is an SM songwriter and producer that has wrote a large majority of SM songs. She even has her own studio at SM.
The fact that this song is nothing like anyone expects and different than anything out there, is exactly what makes it a SHINee song. SHINee were designed to be SM Entertainment's experimental boy group, so everything they do is meant to be the first and they are expected to create the trend. With every new song SHINee produces it's expected to be different than the last, so you will never hear the same style or sound from them. But it will somehow always have that SHINee feel.
With "Hard" this is really just SHINee going back to their roots. Before debut SHINee was actually training to be a hip-hop group. However, as Key tells it, SHINee just didn't have the swag to pull off hip-hop full time, so last minute SM decided to change up their style to the contemporary R&B style of their debut song "Replay" that they have now become known for. "Hard" just proves that in the end, SM wasn't wrong and SHINee has no problem in the world of hip-hop, but their destiny and calling was to be a group that never ties themselves down to just one style or genre. They were meant to show the world that they can be diverse and unique and never do the same thing twice.
With every release that SHINee has they are expected to flip the script and change things up in the Kpop industry. That's why when SHINee makes a comeback everyone pays attention because they are looking to SHINee to show them what the industry's next song style and dance trend will be. It is actually said that within 3 months of SHINee making a comeback that you will see that same sound and dance style being duplicated across the industry with every comeback to follow for both boy groups ad girl groups. When SHINee does something the industry takes note and follows suit.
You just discovered why SHINee still hold one of the top spots after more than 15 years in the industry. If you are impressed now, just wait until you go through their entire discography of songs and MVs. So far, they have 14 full-length albums (8 Korean albums and 6 Japanese albums), several repackaged albums, a multitude of mini albums, numerous OSTS, they each have solo songs and albums and there are hundreds of live performances that will absolutely leave you speechless with their talent. And it only gets more and more impressive as you follow them through their career. They have accomplished a lot in the past 15+ years and they are one of the groups that made Kpop what it is today. However, if you want to see where SHINee truly shines, you have to see their live performances.
When SHINee debuted in 2008, Onew (the leader and lead vocalist) was 18, Jonghyun (the main vocalist and songwriter) had just turned 18, Minho (the main rapper and sub-vocalist) and Key (lead vocalist and sub-rapper) were 16 and Taemin (Main dancer and lead vocalist) was 14. However, now SHINee are known for the fact that there are no longer any fixed roles in their group. The main vocalists can rap, the rappers can fill in as main vocalists and they all are impressive dancers. SHINee are some of the most well respected artists in the industry.
Onew (Pronounced Oh-New in English or On-New with a Korean accent, real name Lee JinKi) -- the one the amazing high notes -- is the leader of the group and he has one of the most unique voices in the industry. (Onew means, or sounds like, the Korean words for soft or gentle, so he was given his stage name because he has a very calm and gentle personality.) He is one of the most coveted male voices that all other singers dream of getting a chance to collaborate with. His vocals are unmatched. He even holds the record (40+ seconds) for the longest continuous note without changing tone or pitch.
Key -- in the suit with the shorts -- is our fashionista of the group who is SHINee's stylist for a lot of their MVs and stage outfits. SHINee are known for setting trends and never being afraid to experiment, so Key is recognized for really paying attention to detail when it comes to fashion. He has a reputation for always being unique and wanting to stand out. He is an amazing singer and is a sub-rapper in the group. (Notice how Key was singing through his clenched teeth in the last part of the song when they were all dressed in black. And he still sounded perfect while giving off the "Hard" vibes that the song required. Just one of the many unique elements of this song that only SHINee can pull off.) He is also considered SHINee's dance copy machine. Key has the ability to see and remember choreography the fastest in the group. He has a photographic memory when it comes to choreography, so he only needs to watch the dance once and he has it memorized. He is also SHINee's fluent English speaker, and he is almost as good as a native speaker.
Minho -- the tall one -- is the main rapper and visual of the group, but his vocals are also some of the best in the industry. Minho sings just as much as he raps. He also writes most of his own raps in SHINee's songs. Minho is a top actor and he has starred in numerous dramas and movies. He is also known as a star athlete. He says these days he goes to the gym a couple of times a day to work out just because he likes to work out, but he is also crazy about soccer, and he plays basketball, baseball and golf, and he is good at track and field events, etc., as well. And not only does he enjoy playing all those sports, but he is usually the best athlete on the field and he pretty much wins every time. Minho's nickname is "Flaming Charisma," and one reason is for his intense passion for sports and his need to always win.
And Taemin -- the blond -- is considered one of THE BEST dancers in the industry (one of the top 2 best dancers of all dancers in Kpop), and that's not just by fans but by everyone in the industry, including his peers. Taemin's nickname is the Korean Michael Jackson. He is also one of the most popular male solo artists and he is a member of the Kpop supergroup SuperM. Taemin truly is art when it comes to his performances.
Although Jonghyun wasn't in the MV -- because he passed more than 5 years ago -- in order to get to know SHINee, you have to get to know him as well. He is known as one of the best vocalist in Kpop whose voice was unmatched. He also was one of the most prolific songwriters and composers of his generation. Jonghyun wrote and composed almost 40% of SHINee's songs, plus he wrote all of his own solo songs and numerous songs for other artists. He was one of the only SM artists to be given complete artistic control over his work, including several of SHINee's song selections. SM knew that if Jonghyun was involved in any way that the song would be a hit. He was extremely respected within the industry as a songwriter, composer and singer. He was one of the very first Idols to be known for this songwriting and composing skills.
Once you get to know their voices you will always be able to pick them out of a crowd just by the sound of their voice. Most fans will tell you we know who is speaking or singing within 1 second even with our eyes closed, with them standing in a crowd of screaming fans. Each of their voices are that unique -- there is no one with a voice like any of theirs. That is why they are "The Princes of Kpop".
SHINee are known for their live vocals and amazing dancing. They are known as CD-quality singers because they sound just as good live, if not better, than they do recorded. SHINee always sings live. The ONLY thing they are not good at is lip syncing so they avoid it at all costs, so when you hear SHINee singing 95% of the time it will be live. They have trained their entire career to build endurance and stamina in order to be able to sing live and continue to sound flawless while performing extremely complex choreography for more than 3 hours straight in concert. SHINee set the standard. That is why they are so highly respected among their peers. It is literally referred to as the SHINee standard. It's the standard all other groups strive to reach.
SHINee is the 15 years old group. They are the different level
SHINee is THE LEGEND
TAEMIN is THE KING of kings
Seen shinee and subscribe to watch your reaction ❤❤❤thank you
Really interesting reaction. SHINee has always been known as an experimental group, they wanted to to give hip-hop another try so this was a somewhat new sound for them. SM Entertainment (the label SHINee is under) seems to like making songs that are a mash of different genres , I enjoy when they get a bit weird with it but I can definitely understand it being a bit much for people. Would definitely be interested in seeing a reaction to their songs 1 of 1 (early 90s inspired), View (deep house), Married to the Music (funky disco) or any of their other mv's and solo work tbh
Thank you for the reaction, I liked it. Listen to their previous comeback - "don't call me"
dem jointz who worked with dre dre, eminem, kayne west, rihanna etc did the second second of the album JUICE.
I understand your point about too many genres and it's true. In kpop song that have mv are the title track and have breaks and bridge so i get use that's why i liked it
Hope you will enjoy and discover this fantastic group and every member have their own vibes and style in their solo songs
It's pronounced Shine-E, or Shiny, and this is a new experimental sound for them, but they are always doing new stuff. Songs you may like better are The Feeling, from the same album as HARD, or older tracks such as Atlantis, View, Married To The Music, or Dream Girl.
Great track. Seem like a very talented band with clear ideas and production. But I listened to this in the car and thought I was driving to fast and the furious end credits.
I was half expecting to stop at the lights, peek down and see Dom & Brian smacking down in a 80's montage
La voz que te gustó es de ONEW,líder de Shinee💎🫶
Sub for shinee! Forever and always five..... thank you for showing love for our boys. Please keep them coming.
🎉 @Part Time Geek.... Congratulations on becoming a Shawol (a SHINee fan member representative of SHINee + World) with your spot reaction of "HARD!" 🎉
ShawolOT5 and Saddlemamma's comments pretty much summed up what I wanted to mention. However I also wanted to add that Minho is very involved in the K-drama scene (his most recent work was the male lead in "The Fabulous."
I stand several K-Pop groups, but Onew is my ultimate Korean vocalist. Unfortunately, he is currently facing some medical issues that is limiting his participation in many of the usual comeback activities. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can safely return to the 5 when he is ready.
I loved the honesty of your reaction ( as well as absence of profanity ). Your mentioning of the 5 various genres in this 1 song was very perceptive, as they represent all 5 members within their 15 years of existence.
This was my first exposure to your channel --- I am now subscribed and will be looking into your prior reactions as well as your future ones ( hopefully to include many of SHINee ) 🎶
SHINEe. Es la máxima expresión de la musica del KPOP .Ellos imponian su genero y la musica que querían en cada álbum todos diferentes .Son conocidos como los CDNEE por sus maravillosas voces y armonías cuando cantan en vivo pliss reacciona al álbum HARD y ADVICE MV de TAEMIN. El es miembro de SHINEe .