SHINee kicks off 3rd world tour

K-pop idols shine with larger-than-life concert in Seoul

By Park Jin-hai

A giant antique clock on a massive LED screen counted down to the start of the show.

Against the dark background, the five members of contemporary boy band SHINee showed up one by one, their fans’ shrieks filling the dome-shaped stadium.

SHINee’s much-anticipated third world tour, SHINee World III, officially started with two concerts at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul last weekend. The concerts were the band’s first in Korea in nearly two years.

Jonghyun, Minho, Taemin, Onew and Key gave larger-than-life performances throughout the three-hour concert, making the fans’ two-year wait worthwhile.

The band’s repertoire Sunday night included hits such as “Juliet,” “Lucifer,” “Ring Ding Dong” and “Dream Girl,” as well as Japanese songs and some new numbers.

“We were greatly encouraged while preparing for the concert when we heard that all seats including those with partly blocked views were sold out,” SHINee’s lead vocalist Jonghyun said during a press meeting prior to the concert. At each of the two concerts, 10,000 fans including some who had come from Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan for the event filled the massive stadium.

Five-member boy band SHINee performes “Destination” from its fifth Mini album “Everybody,” during its third world tour, titled SHINee World III, at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, Sunday. / Courtesy of SM Entertainmen

The Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul offered spectators, even those on third-floor seats, a good view of the stagefrom all three sides .

SHINee opened with “Spoiler” from “Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You,” the first part of their two-part third album. With some 13 backup dancers and music pumping out of the speakers, the band started to rock the stage. The concert’s atmosphere changed with each song.

When they sang “Evil,” the band danced wearing red velvet blindfolds, which they later took off and wielded like whips. They wore pink contact lenses, personifying vampires.

When they sang “Dream Girl,” the stage was transformed into a fantasy with dry ice, and for “Juliet,” the stadium was filled with light and flamboyant music. On “Lucifer,” the fans sang with them in unison.

“We dubbed this concert ‘popcorn.’ Everyone has to pop. We mean that everyone has to stand up and enjoy themselves,” said Taemin. Fans definitely enjoyed the concert, dancing, jumping up and down and waving blue glow sticks.

For songs like “Girls Girls Girls” and “Queen of New York,” SHINee delivered musical-like performances, in pink bathrobes and trench coats, respectively. They sang ballads “Aside” and “Sleepless Night” in tuxedoes.

While fans already knew that lead vocalist Jonghyun hits the high notes well, they were surprised by Taemin’s and Key’s equally excellent voices.

The concert ended with the ballad “Selene,” written by Jonghyun. However, fans called for an encore and began singing the song “Like a Fire.”

As if saving the best for last, the boys came onstage and sang three more songs — “Sherlock,” “Why so Serious?” and “Colorful.” As they delivered “Colorful,” fans waved their glow sticks.

After the encore, the band thanked their fans. Jonghyun was the first to burst into tears. “When we were preparing for the concert, we knew what each of us was thinking. Although we had some challenges last year, I think we are blessed to be loved by so many fans.

“Whenever I think of the fans, I am overwhelmed by my feelings,” he added.

Beside him, Minho wiped his tears. A tearful Key also thanked their fan club, “Shine World,” for the surprise event it held for the concert.

The planned two-and-half hour concert stretched into a three-hour one. Fans stayed at the stadium for as long as they could after the concert, chanting “SHINee’s back!”

Fans left the concert with mixed emotions — they were happy to see their favorite band in concert but sad that the concert had ended. On fan forums like Heeinae, which has more than 100,000 members, fans eagerly posted their reviews, saying that it was the concert of a lifetime.

SHINee’s third world tour will continue in three Latin America countries — April 4 in Mexico, April 6 in Chile and April 8 in Argentina. Other concert dates and venues will be announced later.

In 2013, SHINee had three consecutive hits with “Dream Girl,” “Why so Serious?” and “Everybody.” The band is recognized both at home and abroad. They also held their second Japanese tour, Japan Arena Tour SHINee World 2013 – Boys Meet U, in 2013. A total of over 220,000 fans attended 15 concerts in nine cities during the Japanese tour.