Taemin and Onew leave SM after 16 years together... What are SHINee, Key, and Minho’s plans?

SHINee's Taemin and Onew are leaving SM Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as SM). Accordingly, Key and Minho's actions are also attracting attention.

According to the music industry on the 5th, Taemin will finalize his exclusive contract with SM at the end of March, and Onew will finalize his contract with SM in the first half of this year. Taemin's future destination is likely to be Big Planet Mate, headed by Park Jang-geun. Nothing is known about Onew’s subsequent actions.

Taemin and Onew debuted in the music industry as SHINee in 2008. He received great love for his works such as ‘Noona is so pretty’, ‘View’, ‘Ring Ding Dong’, and ‘Sherlock’.

Taemin has proven his worth as a solo singer, including in SHINee. His representative solo songs include ‘Move’, ‘Want’, ‘Phantom Thief’, and ‘Guilty’.

Onew also built his own music world by releasing his first solo album 'Voice' in 2018 and holding his first solo concert in March of last year.

However, Onew was absent from SHINee's 8th album promotions, which were held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of their debut. Due to poor physical condition, I am taking a break from my activities.

Meanwhile, as Taemin and Onew leave SM, attention is also focused on the future actions of members Key and Minho. Although each member's contract period is different, the timing overlaps to some extent, so the industry view is that it is highly likely that their contract period with SM will end within this year.

In addition, as Taemin and Onew leave SM and become different enemies, the public's attention is focused on what SHINee's activities will be like in the future.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr