12 Reasons Why SHINee is The "Princes of K-pop" + Contributions to K-pop in 12 Years

Today, May 25, fans of the iconic K-pop group SHINee are celebrating around the world the group's 12th debut anniversary!

On the same day, SHINee World, or Shawol, the fandom name SHINee, made various ways to commemorate and make this day exciting for everyone, including streaming SHINee's previous concerts and holding a SHAWOL party with global fans, and more!

Shawols are also looking back at how SHINee, who debuted in 2008, comprising of Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin, launched by SM Entertainment, became one of the most successful K-pop groups around the world and eventually became labeled as the "Princes of K-pop."

Here are the 12 reasons why SHINee is indeed the K-pop Princes, justifying their global fame and influence.

1. Five Vocalists, Five Dancers, and Five Visuals

One of the reasons why SHINee is literally one of the best K-pop groups of all time is because of their unrivaled skills and talents. SHINee does not surpass other K-pop groups - they beat their own records.

In addition to this, if you're looking for a K-pop group with skilled dancers, best vocals, and good-looking members? Well, you just described SHINee! Indeed, given their name, SHINee can shine in every aspect, the real epitome of talents and beauty!

2. Best Leader Among Other K-pop Leaders

In 2015, SHINee's Lee Jinki, or popularly known as Onew, was hailed as the best K-pop leader of its peers coming from major K-pop groups. Among other K-pop bands, SHINee has the least and close to no rumor and controversies involved, as well as SHINee World is also one of the best fandoms, proving the one of a kind leadership of Onew.

3. Monster Rookie That Gathered Several Awards Despite Little to No Promotions At All

Introduced during the same day of their debut, SHINee doesn't have some sort of grand promotions and teasers that were released, unlike other K-pop groups. In particular, SHINee is an experimental group from SM Entertainment that it was kept a secret from the media and public, and there were no such expectations from them. However, as their debut song, "Replay," was dropped, fans and came to like their refreshing vibe and eventually fell in love with them.

In the same year of their debut, they then became the very first group to achieve the rookie "Grand Slam," winning all of the rookie awards in 2008 with zero official promotions.

4. Trendsetters

Admit it or not, SHINee is one of the true trendsetters in the K-pop industry, along with the "Kings of K-pop" Bigbang. During the second-generation era of K-pop, male idols are seen as boyfriend materials. However, SHINee broke this idea and went for a feminine look, with Taemin and Minho sporting long hairstyles.

Also, SHINee, who is the proprietor if wearing skinny jeans, became popular among K-pop idols. Aside from setting the trend in fashion, Jonghyun also opened the opportunity in the SM Entertainment to be able to compose and produce their own song, where most of their songs are composed with the help of the members.

5. Most Iconic Debut Song To Date

Most likely, some K-pop groups are getting the goosebumps and feeling the cringe every time they are listening to their debut songs, looking at how they started in the music industry.

However, SHINee is surely excluded from that list. Because even to this day, fans are continuously falling in love with their debut song, "Replay," which has several renditions from the group itself, and several new-gen K-pop idols have also covered it.

Bet you definitely sang the iconic line, "Noona neomu yeppeo micheo, replay, replay, replay."

6. Members Debuted in Three Generations of K-pop

Given the infamous "Seven-year curse" among K-pop groups, SHINee surpasses that curse and turns the table instead of having one of their successful years in 2015.

In 2015, SHINee was able to release three albums in Korea and Japan, including "ODD," "DxDxD," and their repackage, "Married to the Music." Their track for ODD, "View," eventually became of the most viewed songs in May of 2015, debuting as no. 1 on Billboard's World Album Charts.

In addition to their fame, SHINee is one of the first groups to have members debuting in three generations, including SHINee's Taemin and Key.

7. SHINee Was The First Asian Artist to Perform Live at London's Abbey Road Studios

8. Abbey Road Studios CEO Compares SHINee to The Beatles

9. The Role Model to Several K-pop Idols

As their fame continues, several K-idols even confessed that part of them being an idol is all thanks to SHINee. SEVENTEEN Hoshi, NCT Haechan, TXT Taehyun are some of the successful K-idols who are crazy for SHINee!

10. SHINee Members Balance Everything Together

Instead of saying who's better or who's the best, SHINee members always cheer for each other and formed a family. That's why in each of their performances, no one stands out the most. Rather, they shine in the limelight altogether.

11. Versatility

K-pop idols don't just have to be good at singing and dancing, but as an idol, you have to show something to prove the title. SHINee didn't just become successful in the music industry but also in the entertainment industry, becoming one the K-pop groups to be praised for their variety show skills, and eventually, the crowd's favorite for their wit and humor. Also, Minho then debuted as an actor, capturing the hearts of international fans.

At the same time, Onew and Kibum also debuted as K-drama and musical actors.

12. SHINee's Color

K-pop industry expanded as time went by, and several K-pop groups tried to be in the limelight, but SHINee is the only K-pop group with a distinct sound and genre. Despite having various concepts that are different from the mainstream, once you hear their song, you can recognize it as SHINee's.