SHINee, an idol group to make an official debut in Japan in March, have chosen as their partner EMI Japan, a company known for producing Utada Hikaru called national singer of Japan. Miyake Akira, who discovered and promoted Utada, will also be the producer for SHINee. After attending SHINee’s solo concert, he said he’d like to promote SHINee as an all-Asian pop group.

Why SHINee?
“I met them in Korea twice. They were fresh. I didn’t hesitate to make my decision to work with them. They are versatile, they can do diferent genres like ballad and dance, and each member has a different musical style. There are many groups with manly and strong images, but SHINee will appeal to the protective instinct of fans with their sensitive and cute images.”

The main target?
“Beyond the existing fanbase of Korean Wave, women of 30~50s, young women of 10~20s are showing explosive responses to them. SHINee is a rare idol group with sustainable contents such as good singing ability, purity, and creativity. It is unusual to make a successful concert even before an official debut and to fill the two and half hour concert only with performances. “

What is the strength of Korean idols?
“Korean idols appeal with their music, not just with constructed talents. Their musical ability and quality is much better than that of Japanese idols, and Korea has a more advanced training system. They come into the market in a perfectly prepared state.”

Your future plan?
Only the debut date has been confirmed. What is certain is that SHINee can’t be defined just as K-pop or J-pop, but will be Asian Pop, that is, A-pop. They will make a success in the Asian pop market after taking in new things from Japan after their debut.


[from Joongang Ilbo]
English Translation by jujugal @ soompi