On May 25, 2008, SHINee debuted on the Korean pop music scene, with five members: ONEW, JONGHYUN, KEY, MINHO and TAEMIN. A seventeen-year jump to 2025, the idol group has become one of K-pop’s most legendary acts, still active, and evolving with the ever-changing industry.
Nothing speaks to SHINee’s consistency more than the timeline of their releases. Up until their most recent comeback in 2023, SHINee maintained a near-unbroken rhythm of activities only pausing in 2019–2020 and 2022 during their military hiatus. Whether it was a Korean full album, a mini album, a Japanese release, or a concert live album, they marked each year with new music and performances.
Since 2023, the members have primarily channeled their energy into expanding their solo careers, sharpening their individual voices, and growing as artists. But that has not meant stepping away from the group. In fact, the group concluded a three-day concert, and released a singles album “Poet|Artist” to celebrate their 17th debut anniversary on May 25, 2025.
The singles’ title track of the same name was revealed to be written and co-composed by JONGHYUN, stirring excitement among fans. As always, SHINee continues to prove their bond and unwavering commitment to their group is incontestable.
At any rate, SHINee’s legacy is not built on quantity alone. Beyond numbers, it is the quality of their music that has earned them longevity and admiration. From the iconic debut “Replay”, to career-defining tracks like “Lucifer”, to genre-redefining moments like “Sherlock” and “View,” SHINee has built a catalogue both critically acclaimed and influential.
As the “Princes of K-pop” celebrate an incredible 17th year, we look back on their story written in evergreen tunes, lyrics that resonate and a discography that continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike. Specifically, this feature focuses on their Korean discography, spotlighting tracks across eight studio albums, five EPs, and five repackage albums.
From deep cuts to underrated songs, to special tracks we think are being slept on, to songs SHINee themselves probably do not remember, here are 17 SHINee b-sides to revisit for their 17th anniversary.
- Romantic (2008)
“Romantic” is an underrated gem from SHINee’s debut album overshadowed by the hit title track “Replay”. As the debut poster song, “Replay” is regularly covered as a rite of passage for boy groups, but “Romantic” is no less deserving of similar attention.
An R&B classic in its own right, “Romantic” sees the group serving vocals, heart-rending emotions, and the kind of male yearning that should be considered illegal and above the pay grade for a freshly debuted group of teenagers.
- Hit me (2009)
A deepcut from SHINee’s second mini album “Romeo”, this is a song we are willing to bet SHINee themselves most likely have forgotten.
“Hit me” is a sleek R&B song that gets absolutely zero exposure. Yet, it is another great moment of rookie SHINee solidifying their vocal reputation from their debut years. Safe to say, they don’t make them like this anymore.
- Y.O.U (2009)
For every speaker blown out by the auto-tune and chaotic percussions of “Ring Ding Dong,” SHINee compensates in advance with this ballad opener on the same EP.
“Y.O.U” offers one of the earliest glimpses of SHINee navigating and owning a range of genres with ease. The soft and delicate vocal delivery on this song still feels fresh after so many years.
- A-Yo (2010)
“A-Yo” is the ‘teenhood SHINee’ some fans and the idols themselves have since outgrown for a more mature sound. But for newer and younger fans navigating the ups and downs that come with school and life, it remains the ultimate cheer anthem.
While the repeated chorus might feel redundant, the heartwarming lyrics keep you locked in as SHINee encourages you to forget your worries, “shake it off and leave it to the rhythm.”
- The Reason (2012)
Even as SHINee ventured into more experimental territory with the industry-shifting “Sherlock,” the boy band maintained their roots and R&B foundation with tracks like “The Reason”.
In its R&B ballad greatness, “The Reason” gets us nostalgic for one thing we love in SHINee: JONGHYUN and ONEW’s vocal chemistry on a song as they seamlessly transition into a key change.
- Orgel (2013)
“Orgel”’s hypnotic pacing makes it one of SHINee’s most sonically distinct songs. The throbbing melody, mesmeric howls, and staggered harmonies showcase the vocal cohesion amongst the SHINee members.
We recommend this with an agenda: get more “Orgel” truthers to rise up and join us in petitioning SHINee to reheat their nachos on this one.
- Destination (2013)
With a tight, chant-like chorus and relentless percussion, “Destination” feels like a battle cry.
Not nearly as rated as “Everybody” from the same album, but “Destination” holds its own, matching the former’s freak with a similar hyper energetic vibe.
The marching band drumline routine from this track should be added to the SHINee “epic intros” hall of fame
- Woof Woof (2015)
Rather than ‘underrated’, “Woof Woof” is infamous, misunderstood and dismissed as a joke. But hear this; some K-pop groups have that song named after an animal or that includes making animal noises. SHINee, impeccable discography and all, have “Woof Woof”, and that’s okay.
From the tunes to the lyrics, “Woof Woof” is SHINee embracing peak unseriousness and playfulness. So, skip the boring bits and get with the cringe.
PS: “This is real brass by the way” (or, whatever KEY said).
- Alive (2015)
“Alive” sets some precedent for SHINee’s recent ventures in hip-hop based waters. The song goes back and forth between hard raps and heavy R&B melodies, as SHINee makes one of their strongest statements yet.
For a song that delivered MINHO and KEY’s hottest rap exchange, it is very criminal that “Alive” is this slept on.
- SAVIOR (2015)
After almost a decade since it was last performed, “SAVIOR” made an unexpected appearance at the recently concluded “SHINee WORLD VII [E.S.S.A.Y]” concert in Seoul, sharing a setlist with the iconic “View”.
While “View” was SHINee’s first and most successful experimentation with the house genre, “SAVIOR” had the K-pop group threading further along that path. Perhaps now, people will realise that these two summer bop queens are allowed to thrive together.
- So Amazing (2016)
If “special track” means hidden and forgotten, then “So Amazing” is rightly named so. With lyrics written by ONEW, this song gets anything but a special treatment when it is tucked away in SHINee’s 5th album.
In clear terms, we demand that the masses wake up to “So Amazing” and the refreshing summer experience this dance-pop track offers.
- If You Love Her (2016)
SHINee are known for being experts at ballads. But, “If You Love Her” somehow never makes it into the conversations, not to mention setlists.
Yet, an alternate SHINee playlist, stripped of “An Encore”, “Selene 6.23”, and the usual suspects will have “If You Love Her” floating right to the top. In true SHINee fashion, this song is tender, harmonious and sentimental.
- Lock You Down (2018)
“Lock You Down” has a poignant place in SHINee’s history. At its release, it was the group’s last recorded song as a quintet. Too often memorialised, this track feels sealed in a glass; preserved more than it is played.
But, “Lock You Down” is more than a tribute. Beneath that reverence is a bright, infectious, pop track that is so SHINee and deserves to be heard. So, let it shine.
- You & I (2018)
They don’t need long, loud notes or extremely slow songs to convey big emotions. “You & I” is mid-tempo, but the emotional weight hits like a proper ballad.
Watch out for the bridge; the humming which loops into a vocal pad and carries the song from then till the end. That beautiful sound will give you a real understanding of grief.
- Kind (2021)
“Kind” may have appeared last on an album packed with Hip-hop, dance-pop and Reggae-infused tracks, but it is definitely not the least of them. The emotional pop-ballad grabs attention with the first 15 seconds of TAEMIN’s mint-like vocals.
As SHINee expresses gratitude for kindness they have received over the years, the sincerity in their voices spurs you to respond “no, we are the ones who are grateful for you!”
PSS: Who else is still obsessed with the vocal maturity class SHINee gave while performing “Kind” on IU’s palette?
- Area — (2021)
Repackaged albums can often feel like a cash grab, offering only a handful of new tracks tacked onto the original release. But when one of those new tracks is “Area,” the repackage is not just justified, it’s worth it!
“Area” glides forward with a soft and delicate rhythm that is measured and precise, providing a graceful backdrop for MINHO’s introspective lyrics. Having multiple layers of vulnerability, this song envelops you with the air of unspoken emotions.
- Insomnia (2023)
Tempered but never dull, “Insomnia” is a recent flex, reminding us that SHINee’s R&B roots run deep. With smooth groove and feathery vocals, the song settles into a laid-back, late-night vibe, perfectly matching its themes of restless longing.
Having spent 17 years making music, SHINee’s existence in the K-pop industry now feels like “Insomnia”—chill, relaxed, but refusing to fade quietly into the background.
Written by AyòÌféolúwa
