SHINee sparkles at first concert

K-pop group SHINee sings its hit song "Lucifer."
/ Courtesy of SM Entertainment

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The first two days of the New Year shone with SHINee, a K-pop group that held its first concert in Korea titled “SHINee World,” at the Gymnastics Gymnasium in the Olympic Park, eastern Seoul.

The boys of SHINee were dressed in black, wearing work boots, boasting their masculine beauty.

At a press conference before Sunday’s concert, the members seemed excited to hold the event on New Year’s Day and expected another prosperous year ahead. Taemin, the youngest band member, said they practiced singing a lot while Key said they will sing songs in new styles.

They graded their first concert only 30 out of 300. “We are strict in evaluating ourselves. But we gave it a low score so we would strive even harder for the next one,” Onew said.

When the five members appeared on stage one by one singing “The SHINee World,” the stadium was filled with ear-deafening screams. Most of the 10,000 seats were packed with females ranging from their teens to middle-age, from Koreans to overseas fans, waving turquoise-colored glow sticks. “The SHINee World” is the title of their first album as well as their fan club and the concert.

Jonghyun, who hurt his leg during a promotional tour in Indonesia last October, did not join in the strenuous dance performances. Instead, he emerged in the middle of the stage and showed off his singing ability. His vacant position was filled by a Chinese understudy.

While singing “Amigo,” the members literally flew over the audience suspended by wires. They landed in the middle of the stadium and moved around the seats on moving ladders, making the audience go wild.

Despite the cold weather outside, members were drenched in sweat when they finally said hello to the audience after singing six songs. “We are glad to open up the New Year with you,” SHINee said.

Afterward, each member presented solo performances. Jonghyun displayed his DJing skills when singing Whee Sung’s song “Girls” and Taemin rearranged SHINee’s “Romeo+Juliette” for his solo.

Minho and Key invited special guests to spice up the stage. Minho sang Usher’s “OMG” with Simon D of Supreme Team, while Key had f(x)’s Krystal to sing 3OH!3’s “My First Kiss” with him.

They also offered slow songs such as “Romantic” and “Graze” in perfect harmony and their first ever song “Replay” and “Love like Oxygen” from their debut album followed.

Last but not least, Onew chose something rather unusual for a boy band member to sing — “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s opera “Turandot.” With a 15-member orchestra, he sang the aria in a deep voice, receiving applause from fans.

“Island Baby,” a Korean children’s song arranged for the boy group, was another highlight. Members appeared on stage in white costumes and flew across the stadium once again. Onew, who appeared last with wings, landed on center stage, wrapping a child actor in his wings.

The crowd once again went wild when the boy band sang their hit songs “Ring Ding Dong” and “Lucifer.” Fans were on their feet and jumped up and down when the group presented “Up & Down” and “Ready or Not.”

For the encore, SHINee changed into their once trademark colorful slim-fit pants — Jonghyun in blue, Minho in orange, Taemin in yellow, Onew in green and Key in pink. “Having a concert in Korea was our dream and we finally achieved it,” Key said.

After singing “Jojo” and “One,” they thanked and bid goodbye to their fans who had filled the venue saying, “We like the ‘SHINee World’ the best!”

SHINee also held concerts in Tokyo on Dec. 26, drawing some 24,000 people. The group will officially release their Japanese debut album in March through EMI music.

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