31 May 2018 CJ E&M Building, M Countdown
All that queueing was so worth it. 😭
My friend and I weren’t able to get in to the Good Evening recording at 3am, but we stuck around hoping that we could make it to the 12noon one for All Day All Night. After sneaking in 2 hours of sleep, we went back to the venue around 9am, had breakfast and queued again with the same numbers we had earlier.
By 11am, we knew we will be able to go in. Started practicing the chants, as did everyone. Unlike last night/at dawn when it was so cold and windy, this morning brought warmer weather.
Before I continue, I just want to say first that i am so touched by how everyone was just so helpful and considerate, and the volunteer staff organizing the crowd were so amazing. All this love and support for SHINee from people all over is so amazing.
The whole recording probably lasted 20 minutes or so, maybe, i didn’t even keep track of the time. It was surreal.
When we entered the studio, the stage was just right in front of us. The front was already filled, but then i noticed SHINee were standing near the back, on the left side of the hall, monitoring the recordings so i grabbed my friend and stood on that side too. THEY WERE STANDING JUST IN FRONT OF US, NOT EVEN TWO METERS AWAY. Security was watching us audience closely though, making sure we don’t go beyond the line.
My eyes zoomed in immediately on Jinki. He was wearing a white, black-striped shirt, showing a little bit more of his chest which was unsettling, haha. He also wore a black and white scarf. And a suit jacket. He looked so solid and full. His shoulders looked so strong and dependable. He doesn’t seem as tall as I expected.. just right. Haha.
All four were monitoring the rehearsal very intently. Their eyes were glued to the screen while everyone else were busy touching up their hair and make-up and fanning them. Then they were called to go up on stage. Taeminnie and Minho were so talkative and cheerful.
Jinki was all out during the performances. And his voice!!! So clear and strong and resonant, and still, melted butter-smooth. He was quiet during ments but smiley. Then all serious come performance. After the first perf, they went down and monitored. Even though there were at least three staff at any given time taking care of him - his hair, his scarf, make-up, someone fanning him - he was unmoving and just kept on watching the monitor the whole time.
Kibum was quiet. After the first perf, when monitoring,he was sitting down. But he and the others were all laughing at taeminnie’s antics while on standby in the stage. He looks glorious up close, even with that cap on. Especially with that cap on.
Taeminnie was holding on to two fans. And another noona was fanning him from the back too. Haha. While monitoring, he was also talking with the choreographer i think. They were discussing the steps and Taeminnie was practicing them still.
Minho kept on mentioning how hot it was. He was also intently watching the recording, practicing the steps at the same time. He was so cheerful. Like on the way up to the stage for the first perf, he was singing out loud. And all of us within hearing distance had our hearts fluttering. Then later on, when they were re-touching his make up and it was taking some time, he playfully did a countdown. Then at the end of the recording, he said that they were going to the cult-two show. When we said ne~~, he said “arayo?!” He was so cute. But oh my god, THAT CHEST.
They surely know we were watching them very closely. But they didn’t show it. As they walk from the monitoring area back to the stage, us fans would call out their names and sometimes they’d look and smile. But otherwise, they wait until they get to the stage to do or say anything.
All in all, they rehearsed, monitored, had the fans go inside the studio, did first run of the performance, monitoring, second run, then that’s it.
My favorite moment? Other than seeing them work at the background and the intensity with which they monitor what they do, i have one other favorite moment. One coordi was trying to put the suit jacket on Jinki but he took it and did it himself. JINKI WEARING HIS SUIT IN FRONT OF ME?! Fixing the sleeves?! Adjusting the fit?! He looked so… manly. Haha. This image of him won’t leave my mind. Help.
But seriously, the whole experience was so interesting because I got to see a bit of what happens during these recordings. Would I do it again? For SHINee, in a heartbeat.
