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In the blink of an eye, it is Shinhwa’s 20th anniversary. There are many articles and sites that cover this symbolic year for Shinhwa and Shinhwa Changjo, and I thought – Why not write something about it too? Why not share the connotation of “Heart” and the Easter Egg packed in this milestone year with the rest?

We are officially 2 decades! Although not as uncommon in the western world, Taiwan or China, 20 years for a Korean band is not an easy feat, especially when there used to be an “expire date” for bands in the Korea music industry. Shinhwa is the first band to breakthrough and pave a path for the other groups. It is striking because there are neither precedence nor guidance to lead them this far. As Shinhwa and Shinhwa Changjo continue to make history in the Korea music industry, they demonstrate to younger bands and fandoms it is possible to stay together for a long time.  

For this milestone year, Shinhwa comeback with an album titled “Heart”, which most Shinhwa Changjo would fondly recall as Minwoo’s answer to the question “what is Shinhwa to you?” The symbol of a beating heart accompanied the album and this year’s promotion.

So where is the Easter Egg?

The Beating Heart subtly infuse into the choreography of their title song “Kiss Me Like That”

It took SHCJ a while to spot this Easter Egg because most had their attention diverted to the Kyodeng pairing when Hyesung’s hands went around Dongwan. But when you look at it closely, one would notice Dongwan drawing a heart, and Eric, Dongwan and Junjin making a wave that follows the beating heart symbol of their album. And while all these are happening, the other 3 members, Hyesung, Andy and Minwoo held on to the beating heart.

Cr:SSENUNNI,

Cr: kimdongwan_is

It was so meticulously planned. And definitely a very meaningful Easter Egg for the SHCJ too.

The 2nd Easter Egg was not as difficult for the SHCJ to spot. A photo released for the 20th anniversary.

And here is the one for the 10th Anniversary.

Because of the filter, it also looked like the 20th anniversary photo was using the Resolver outfit (when Shinhwa debut), but as more photos were released, it turns out to be orange jumpsuit instead.

But what is the significance of this other than recreating the pose of a photo 10 years ago?

The 10th anniversary was the last year before Shinhwa went on hiatus due to enlistment. That year, Shinhwa and Shinhwa Changjo made an important promise to each other – They will return, and Shinhwa Changjo will be there when they return. We will stay together.

10 years have passed since. And when we looked back, both Shinhwa and Shinhwa Changjo have kept to the promise. It is a journey that we will continue walking together as an Orange Family.

The 3rd thing I want to talk about is not so much of an Easter Egg. It is the remake of “All Your Dream” MV.

The most apparent of this to general public was Shinhwa would be able to do such things easily with 20 years of history. But why “All Your Dreams”? Why make the maknae cringed having to redo the scene of being a hairdresser? Early this year was a grieving period for the K Pop world due to some unfortunate events. And amidst all these, I felt like I received a message, one from someone who had been through all and experience much more in life.  

The lyrics of “All Your Dream” tell a dialogue between someone who had lost his/her direction in life, and another, maybe an inner voice or someone who had went through and survive the same.

“Unhappiness came and pain that felt like death But with confidence, I stood up against it and fought Only you can solve your problems You’re not the you of before, all broken down Start (start) get up again (get up) Why are you afraid of living again?”  “Cheer up! Think about it The past days that made us burn with passion I don’t have much but I do have something To me, to me”  “I remember all of your dreams When you dreamed and looked confident Don’t give up until that day comes, start again”  “We are here, you’re not alone There’s no life without pain More painful moments can come later Then believe in tomorrow, days when your dreams will come true Think about it (think) remember again (remember) Why are you afraid of living again?”  “I remember all of your dreams When you dreamed and looked confident Don’t give up until that day comes, start again For my dreams that will grow again I remember all of your dreams When you dreamed and looked confident Don’t give up until that day comes, start again”

Credit: https://popgasa.com/2018/03/26/shinhwa-all-your-dreams-2018/

Shinhwa is deemed a Legend for being in the industry for 20th year now. But this long journey wasn’t without any challenges and upsetting moments. They faced the threat of getting disband, they went through the pain of almost losing some members, accidents, near-death experiences, mistakes, public backlash, media victimization. The list goes on. But they stick together for a dream, an a belief. 

So that sums up my first piece of writing for Shinhwa’s 20th Anniversary -

What Shinhwa is to us;

A promise; and 

A message.

Kiss Me Like That Music Video