SHINee Key, Minho Cite Reason for Renewing Contract With SM Entertainment

While SHINee Onew and Taemin left SM, the label officially confirmed that Key and Minho renewed their contracts for this reason.

SM Reveals Why SHINee Key, Minho Renew Contracts — What's Next for Two Members?

On April 9, SM Entertainment released the news that SHINee Key and Minho will remain under the company.

This report came after the other members Onew and Taemin, who left the label, established their positions under their respective new nests, Griffin and BPM.

In the official press release, the 91-liners revealed why they decided to maintain a longer relationship with SM, explaining:

"SM is a place where we have shared every moment from the beginning of SHINee to the present. I think we are where we are today because of the company staff who have been working with us for a long time.

We will continue to demonstrate a good synergy with SM and have a new & diverse starting point as an artist in the future.

We are sincerely grateful to our fans for always trusting and supporting us, and we will always show you a good side of us."

On Instagram, Minho also added:

"I am grateful to all the SM staff who always take care (of us) and work hard. We go together because we have faith, and we are together because we have trust. Please continue to take care of me and thank you."

With this, Key and Minho will continue to engage in various activities with SM's full support by signing a contract based on their deep trust in the label, which they have built up for a long time since debuting in 2008.

Regarding their future activities, SM briefly commented:

"We are delighted to continue our precious relationship with Key and Minho. As we renewed the contract based on our strong faith, we will generously support Key and Minho in various ways to shine more as a solo artist as well as a SHINee member."

Shawols Tilt Heads After Key, Minho Renewed Contracts With SM Entertainment

Amid this, Shawols (fandom) were confused as to why the two members decided to stay under SM Entertainment, claiming the mistreatment the members have gotten from the label.

While Korean netizens praised the two stars for their loyalty for 16 years, curious fans are questioning their decisions, when even Onew and Taemin already left.

With this, fans are claiming that this isn't purely about loyalty, but SHINee's strategy to not fully lose their trademark rights to SM if they will going to left the agency all at once.

Shawols explained that since the company owns the trademark rights for their names and songs, leaving SM together means they have to give up these as well unless they come up with a mutual agreement to share the rights.

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz