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(article) The pride of K-pop, SHINee's new mini-album 'Atmos' by Kim Seongdae (Kpop music critic)

SHINee was one of the first K-pop boy groups to make people who hadn't taken idol music seriously begin to do so. They were the ones who emphasized the need for criticism regarding their genre and were rare icons who meticulously proved the musicality of idol music. In particular, their third album—released as a two-part series following a string of four hits starting with "Replay" and continuing with "Juliette," "Ring Ding Dong," "Lucifer," and "Sherlock"—secured the right to be regarded as a timeless masterpiece in the history of Korean popular music. The agency's promotional slogan describing them as "Global K-pop Leaders" was by no means an exaggeration. In terms of skill, influence, and pioneering spirit, they deserved it, and they still do.

When SHINee first emerged, the term "Contemporary Band" was used. It was likely a compound word formed by combining "Contemporary," signifying the same era, with "Band" from "boy band." SM Entertainment explained this term by stating, "A team that presents and leads trends suited to the present era in music, dance, and fashion." This description became the definition of the group SHINee itself. In fact, from their debut in 2008 through the 2020s, they have never once lagged behind their seniors, juniors, or fellow K-pop groups in music, dance, and fashion. Regarding their sixth mini-album, examples include the glitchy intro of the title track "Atmos," which features a refreshing chorus, or "Possibility," which incorporates the UK garage sound that has become a staple in recent K-pop songs. Even now, as they approach their 20th anniversary, SHINee remains valid as a "Contemporary Band."

Although the members, who were middle and high school students, have now reached their mid-30s, their fresh image and music haven't really changed.

Watching the music video for 'Atmos,' which alternates between live action and animation to reach a climax with fireworks, one wonders if they are truly a group that has been active for eighteen years. Their sensibility, energy, vocals, and choreography look ten years younger than 2026. SHINee will undoubtedly be divided into the era before and after that day in 2017. It is a sad paradox that the absence of one person must become the artistic driving force for those who remain, but the four members who continue to stay together are delivering excellent music to ensure that the glory achieved together with Jonghyun is not wasted. Although their frequency may not match that of the past, leading up to the 10th anniversary of Jonghyun's passing just before their 10th debut anniversary, SHINee has run forward, looking only ahead to minimize the group's hiatus by releasing three full-length albums and three EPs. They have proven through their actions that diligence is the foundation of all success.

True to their reputation as a group that has always exceeded expectations, this mini-album is a treat for the ears. The technical skill and harmony of the four vocalists, seemingly untouched by time, are fantastic. The sophisticated mood, encompassing the refreshing crispness of synths and the elasticity of bass—along with the EDM and R&B styles that SM has traditionally excelled at—feels so contemporary that one wonders if this is truly a boy group that has been active in the notoriously difficult K-pop market for two decades. There is absolutely no sense of instability or lagging behind. In addition to the members' solo works, this EP features the final two ballad tracks ('Still Raining' and 'Thousand Miles Away'), with contributions from Park Taewon ('Anti Believer'), who wrote the lyrics for SHINee's 'Satellite', and K-pop creators Fabian Thorsson and Maria Marcus, respectively. Through this, SHINee instills in their fans the conviction that they will maintain this pace for another 10 years. A true artist must earn the trust of their fans through their work to persuade them. SHINee has been doing just that since 2008. And very well at that.

SHINee emerged just as smartphones were first appearing. Led by Jonghyun’s solid vocal tone, which made it instantly recognizable as a SHINee song after hearing just a single note, they were the blueprint for K-pop idol music during the 2000s and 2010s; that futuristic vision continues to flow in real-time to this day. To my knowledge, no other idol boy group has ever held their ground for such a long time without compromising their quality, not only in the K-pop industry but also in the global pop scene

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