Key Reveals SHINee Almost Debuted With 7-8 Trainees — Here Are 'Fixed' Members

SHINee Key unveiled never-been-told behind-the-scenes stories of how the group was formed, including his trainee journey under SM Entertainment.

SHINee Key Shares Anecdote About Trainee Days under SM Entertainment

On September 12, SHINee Key appeared in the latest episode of YouTube's Ddeun Ddeun's "miniPinggyego" with Yoo Jae Suk.

On this day, Key, who dropped his second mini-album "Good & Great" on the 11th, opened up about his group and solo career in SM Entertainment for 16 years.

"It was always SM (for me) from the beginning. I wanted a company with capital. I liked K-pop since I was young. I like TVXQ and BoA, so I auditioned for SM 3 times. I didn't like other companies. I just want it. I think I was just really destined to go to SM."

"I took an audition at the age of 15 and became a trainee for two to three years. Luckily, it was time when Girls' Generation was just launched and I was preparing to debut in a boy group.

I'm a member from a provincial area, so I went to school from Monday to Friday and got to Seoul during weekends to practice. I was in a great hurry. Other friends go to practice every day after school, but I can't do that."

Key Reveals SHINee Was Supposed to Have 7-8 Members

Aside from this, Key also mentioned that training isn't the only difficult thing, but the selection process of members is as well.

In fact, SHINee was supposed to debut not with five members, but 7 to 8.

"We were selected out of 20 men, so some of them went back to China, and at the end of the day (final lineup announcement), we didn't say a word, and every minute and second felt was a competition."

In the broadcast, Key also hinted at how the company would announce a debuting lineup of a new group, narrating:

"What I still don't understand is that it would be nice to use a card (to announce the final member) and let them know one-on-one, but they made the announcement in front of everyone. I can't even cheer even if I'm there. I was called the fourth out of five."

Key then revealed the first three members that he thought were already fixed. He said:

"Jonghyun, Taemin, and Minho were almost fixed members. In fact, Minho went back and forth little by little, but I thought the two (Jonghyun and Taemin) were definitely in the debut group. I tried harder to take the remaining seats."

Following him, leader Onew was announced as the fifth member, and the legendary "Princes of K-pop" SHINee was born.

Indeed, SM did great work putting these five icons together in one group!

Can you even imagine SHINee without Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin?

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Written by Eunice Dawson.