When tickets went on sale for SHINee‘s first UK performance, at the Odeon in Leicester Square for the London Korean Film Festival 2011, servers were unable to keep up with demand and the website for the venue, one of London’s premier spots, crashed in seconds and remained down for a further five hours. Fans had already been going crazy since the boys touched down at Heathrow airport, where they were mobbed by over excited fans. Were SHINee upset about the whole experience? We managed to get some time with the group, away from the sea of crazed fangirls and found out how they found their experiences in London, what they think about K-pop taking over the world, and their taste in women. Enjoy, share and link back to our site.
Parts of this interview, with additional quotes from the band and live photography from the London show will be printed in NEO Magazine, issue 93 – out 29 December across the UK.
Welcome back to the UK! We heard there was an incident with fans at Heathrow when you arrived. Does this kind of thing happen to you a lot? What is the craziest thing fans have done to you?
Onew says:
Sometimes when there are many fans who are cheering, it happens to be crowded when fans are coming in all at once. But I am always appreciated with it.
Thank you for cheering us up, but I am worried that they might get hurt.
Jonghyun says:
I think the airport is the first place where we can meet the fans of the country we visit, that’s why the fans are more enthusiastically cheering us up. It is pleasant because we are also pleased to meet them.
Minho says:
As soon as we arrived at Heathrow airport, we were very pleased and surprised to see that many fans were enthusiastically welcoming us. I am very appreciated with that many fans welcome us from the airport whenever we go abroad for the concert. Since the fans welcome us from the moment we arrive in the new place, it raises us up.
Key says:
I am very happy that fans enthusiastically greet us. I think it is because the airport is where we can face with the fans of the country for the first time.
Taemin says:
It was memorable to see the fans are enthusiastically cheering with holding Korean placards.
Please introduce yourself, and tells us a fun fact about another member of the group.
Onew says:
This is Onew.
I like fun things and I always like to sing merrily.
Jonghyun says:
This is Jonghyun.
To tell you about the members, Minho is very competitive and Onew is such a sleepyhead.
Minho says:
This is Minho. It’s great to meet the UK fans. I hope to see you very often.
I like sports, including football. I tend to be very competitive as Jonghyun said.
Key says:
This is Key.
I am a kind of person who has various colours.
Taemin says:
This is Taemin.
It is great to meet the UK fans.
Please teach us an interested fact about Korea as well as a Korean phrase!
Onew says:
Korea boasts the fastest internet speed!
And here’s a Korean phrase for you; the little pepper is always the spiciest!
 Jonghyun says:
Korean people are kind!!!
.
Minho says:
Please visit Korea!
.
Key says:
Although Korea is small country…
it is very strong!
Taemin says:
There are many things to play with in Korea!
And here’s a korean phrase; a Spider that casts a web eventually traps a fly.
K-pop has become really popular recently, why do you think Korean music has suddenly began to put South Korea on the map?
Onew says:
As the internet develops…
…there are more opportunities for people to experience K-pop artists.
Minho says:
Yes, like Onew said, the internet is why Korean music is becoming more popular.
.
Jonghyun says:
Definitely the development of the internet.
Also performing live in other countries has also helped boost K-pop.
Taemin says:
All these things!
They’ve created great opportunities for people to experience other cultures and music.
Is SHINee influenced from any previous Korean artists? If so, who?
Onew says:
All the seniors from our management company SM Entertainment. They opened the doors of opportunity for us. Because of them we are able to appear on the global stage, beyond Asia. And we were also able to meet fans in London.
Jonghyun says:
I was influenced by many seniors.
Personally, WHEESUNG and Naul.
Key says:
Yes, it’s gotta be our seniors from SM Entertainment, our management company.
.
Tell us about “SHINee Trend”! What brands are involved to make the SHINee look?
Onew says:
I think the current trend is important, but it is more important to have an eye and the sense to look ahead.
Jonghyun says:
Finding something that brings out the strength of your body is important.
.
Minho says:
I believe that it is important to find own charms and strength that can be attracted.
.
Key says:
It is essential to find style that matches to you.
.
What fashion advice can you give to wannabe fashionstas?
Onew says:
I think it is better to wear something that can show one’s charms rather than just following trends.
.
Key says:
Find your own personality!
.
How did it feel to be the first Kpop artist to perform at the Abbey Roads Studio?
Onew says:
I feel like dreams come true that nobody expected us to have. I was very thankful and happy.
Jonghyun says:
We will reward you with better performance.
Thank you!
Minho says:
I was very thrilled and happy. I will keep trying my best to become a singer who let other people know about SHINee and Korea.
Taemin says:
It was great honor, and I feel like it wasn’t true.
Thank you!
Which other famous places would you love to play around the world?
Onew says:
There is no specific place, but I’d like to perform at the various stages around the world. Regardless of the size and the region, wherever we can sing our songs, I will be happy to sing.
Jonghyun says:
Name of the stage and the size are not matter.
Anywhere in the world is fine.
Minho says:
I also think that there is no specific place, but like to perform in various regions. Anywhere in the world, if there are fans who like SHINee, I’d like to perform on the stage.
Key says:
If it is where we can go, we’d like to go anywhere.
.
Could you speak Japanese before you joined SHINee? Have you found any fun ways to learn? For example, do you listen to Jpop to help you learn Japanese? (If so, who are your favourite artists to learn Japanese from)
Onew says:
I could not speak Japanese at all before I joined SHINee.
However, I used to listen to J-pop when I was young.
Jonghyun says:
I couldn’t speak Japanese…
But there’s a lot I could learn from animation and cultural experiences.
 Minho says:
I started learning Japanese as we prepared for entering Japan. I learned many things while I was talking with Japanese staffs in Japan.
Key says:
I like to watch Japanese dramas and listen to Japanese music and it was very helpful for me to learn Japanese.
Taemin says:
I started learning Japanese by watching Japanese movies or animations as we prepared for our activity in Japan.
You recorded the reality TV show Shinee’s YunHaNam, where you dated older women. What is your ideal type of lady?
Onew says:
There’s nothing special – I just like someone who likes me.
.
Jonghyun says:
I think it is bit changing.
But I like someone feminine who sometimes pretends to be naive and has little jealously.
Minho says:
I don’t have a specific type…
…but I like someone feminine.
Key says:
Kaya Scodelario.
[Does that mean Key's a Skins fan?! - Tom]
Taemin says:
Emma Watson.
[think it's official, SHINee like British girls ;) - Tom]
It’s nearly 2012, do you have any new year resolutions?
Onew says:
SHINee’s new album will be released in 2012.
We will show our new side and new music.
Jonghyun says:
Let’s try to be easy.
[speak for yourself, mister... - Tom]
Minho says:
We will try harder in 2012.
.
Key says:
Let’s enjoy!
.
Taemin says:
To respect myself and be responsible.
.
What plans do you have for 2012?
Onew says:
Please look forward to our new music and performance!
.
Jonghyun says:
As a team, we would like to have a wide sphere of activity with the whole world as our stage and I personally wish that participation in terms of music is higher.
Key says:
I believe that we are able to show you to perform with the new music and on the stage as well as in various fields. Please give us your anticipation.
Taemin says:
I would like to present our music and performance to many people.
.
Do you think we’ll see a proper SHINee concert in London any time soon?
Onew says:
If we are given a chance…
…we will be able to hold a concert.
Jonghyun says:
If there’s a chance, I think it would be a joyful concert where we can enjoy the show with fans.
Minho says:
If we are given a good chance, the time will come when we will hold our concert in London. Please give your love to us till then.
Key says:
I believe that we will be able to perform in London some day.
.
Do you have any final messages for UK readers?
Onew says:
Thank you for surprising us with many things and making us feel happy.
We would like to come more often in the future.
Jonghyun says:
Please give your interest in SHINee and enjoy our music.
Thank you!
Minho says:
Thank you for always supporting us.
We will do our best to meet you as often as possible.
Taemin says:
I really appreciate all of your support.
Please continuously love SHINee.
Key says:
Thank you for welcoming and loving us.
SHINee will try our best!