MINHO

Since releasing his mini-album Chase in December 2022, SHINee’s MINHO has demonstrated significant growth, both as an artist and as an individual. Call Back offers a refined perspective on his evolving musical journey, showcasing a forward-looking vision of his immense potential. By embracing his untapped versatility and creativity as well as experimenting with a wide array of genres and sounds, MINHO has boldly pushed boundaries, making it clear that the present is his greatest achievement yet, with even greater things to come.

In an exclusive interview withtmrw, MINHO shared detailed insights about his first solo album, Call Back; his collaborations with SOHEE (RIIZE) and NingNing (aespa); his first solo concert in 16 years, and his thoughts on member Key's reaction to his shirtless photos from the Waterbomb Festival.

Having closely followed his journey over the past couple of years, I had a multitude of questions, eager to understand what motivated him to release his first studio album two years after Chase and a series of singles. MINHO’s calm and reflective response contrasted with my excitement to speak with him. He shared, “Working on this full album gave me the chance to revisit my weaknesses, confront them head-on, and push myself to improve. I focused on amplifying my strengths while taking on new challenges.”

I then asked how he feels he has evolved over the past two years, both as an artist and as an individual. "I believe that experimenting with different genres has been a key factor in my growth, allowing me to expand my musical range and evolve not only as an artist but also as a person." He also sincerely expressed that it has been a fulfilling experience, and he is truly grateful for this journey.

MINHO's career, spanning 16 years, has left an unmistakable cultural footprint through the diverse roles he has taken on and excelled in. I was eager to understand how he successfully navigates such a broad range of audio-visual mediums and whether his approach differs for each art form.

The talented rapper-visual explained that mindset is crucial when handling these diverse opportunities. Instead of tailoring a unique approach for each platform, he focuses on adapting to the specific demands of the moment, always giving his best to each medium.

The conversation then turned to Call Back, and I couldn’t help but rave about how incredibly cinematic the album is, both visually and sonically. Listening to the album, I had allowed myself to fully immerse in each track as if it were a scene from a movie. With an acting career spanning almost a decade and a half, I wondered if MINHO’s extensive experience as an actor had influenced this creative approach. “My past acting experience definitely played a significant role in bringing these creative moments to life, helping the overall vision come together seamlessly.”

MINHO's response took me by surprise, especially since he had mentioned his “Choi stubbornness” in a previous press interaction. During a press interaction with The Korea Times, MINHO spoke about embarking on a new chapter in his solo artistry. He discussed embracing new musical genres and letting go of the "Choi stubbornness"—the obstinacy and rigidity of always doing things his way—choosing instead to approach new musical styles and techniques with an open mind and heart.

Did this trait have any impact on the creation process of Call Back, particularly in how each song was crafted and how the tracks were placed and flowed within the album? True to his humble nature, MINHO credited his team for the album's outstanding result: “The process of creating Call Back was all about collaboration and exploring different perspectives. Instead of relying only on my own ideas, I worked closely with the team, having deep discussions and brainstorming together. This approach allowed us to create a much higher-quality album.”

Like the delightful blend of like-minded, creative, and talented individuals with unique perspectives that contributed to the creation of Call Back, the album spans various music genres, including pop, hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats. It’s clear that MINHO’s deep love for R&B takes center stage on his first studio album, with romantic songs marking a shift from long, heartfelt ballads to more introspective, lo-fi, acoustic styles that cater to the TikTok-driven music market.

MINHO openly admitted that with such a wide range of musical tastes, it's hard to predict which genre will dominate next. However, he expressed his personal fondness for R&B, a genre he has grown up with and continues to enjoy, and has incorporated plenty of its essence into Call Back. "I’m really excited and curious to see how the genre continues to evolve and what new styles will emerge in the future," he said, almost like a fan eagerly awaiting what’s to come.

It is incredibly inspiring to witness an artist of MINHO’s stature be open and willing to experiment with his first studio album, considering it’s been nearly 16 years since his debut with SHINee in 2008. What motivated him to take this creative leap and explore new musical directions at this stage of his career? MINHO’s response reflected both the wisdom of an experienced superstar and the excitement of a passionate student.

“The goal is to create music and performances that truly represent the best of what I can do, while also exploring the musical path I want to pursue in the future. This isn’t just a one-off project; it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter in my musical journey, where I continue to evolve and push creative boundaries.”

SHINee, often referred to as the “Princes of K-pop,” undoubtedly live up to the title every day. It must be an honor for junior labelmates like SOHEE and NingNing to collaborate with them. Curious, I asked MINHO if he noticed any differences between second-generation K-pop idols and the current generation. MINHO acknowledged that, in the past, the systems were much more challenging. He had to go through a complicated process to find videos or DVDs, and simply listening to music on CDs was a task in itself.

Reflecting on the current generation of K-pop idols, including those from his own company, MINHO pointed out that today's K-pop artists have a significant advantage due to the environment they work in. He emphasized that the accessibility available now has led to better training and quicker learning, which has allowed newer generations of K-pop artists to hone their skills in ways the previous generation couldn’t.

Our conversation shifted to celebrating more personal milestones in MINHO's remarkable idol career, such as hosting his first solo concert in 16 years, “2024 MINHO CONCERT [MEAN: of my first],” on November 30 and December 1 at Korea University Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seongbuk District, Seoul. With the performances coming up quickly at the time of the interview, I was curious about MINHO's feelings as the concert approached and if he follows any special rituals or traditions before performing.

MINHO revealed that he had been practicing and rehearsing diligently to ensure he delivered the best performance possible. As for rituals or traditions, the rapper-visual admitted, “I do have a routine that helps me stay grounded – I always have the same cereal before the show and make sure to do some stretching to relax and energize myself.”

Delving a bit deeper into his solo concert, where he performed a mix of beloved hits and unreleased tracks, all accompanied by a dynamic live band performance, MINHO shared his excitement and satisfaction, saying, "Performing with a live band has truly elevated the experience, bringing a whole new level of energy to the music. The original charm of the songs is amplified by the band’s sound, creating a more dynamic and dramatic atmosphere."

As this was my first time speaking to a K-pop star of MINHO's stature, my fangirl excitement finally got the best of me at the end of our interview. I asked him how he perceives the evolution of K-pop, from its tremendous success within traditional markets to becoming a borderless phenomenon, and what role he thinks K-pop idols play in shaping global culture today— especially considering SHINee's major role in this transformation and how it has inspired countless rookie idols to pursue this career path, both in Korea and around the world.

"It’s truly incredible and humbling to witness," he said.

The Call Back singer stressed that artists must recognize this power as a privilege and continue to make a positive impact on fans around the world. He underscored the importance of remaining dedicated, hardworking, and approaching their work with sincerity and integrity.

Marching to the beat of his own drum and constantly redefining the rhythm has been MINHO's guiding philosophy—his approach to music, artistry, and the legacy he aims to create. Chase was just the beginning, but with Call Back, he’s not merely stepped through the door—he’s kicked it wide open. Call Back has set an impressive benchmark, and we can’t wait to see how the next chapter of his musical journey unfolds, both in sound and vision.

---

Quick Call Back with MINHO

Q1. How did you feel about Key’s reaction to your shirtless photos from the Waterbomb festival? I haven’t had a chance to ask KEY about it yet, so I’m not sure—he might be keeping his thoughts under wraps for now!

Q2. Is there a particular character from any of your K-dramas that holds a special place in your heart? I feel the most attached to the role of Kang Tae-joon from the drama To the Beautiful You.

Q3. Is there any artist you dream of collaborating with who you haven’t had the chance to work with yet? I’d love to collaborate with Drake someday. His music and artistry are incredibly inspiring.

Q4. Is there a SHINee song that you consider your personal anthem for life? It’s impossible to pick just one—there are too many that hold special meaning to me!