[TRANSLATION] SHINee - CHINA COOL MUSIC MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

COOL: This is your first visit to Chang Sha, how do you all feel when you saw so many fans at the airport?

SHINee: Woo...................

Taemin: This is our first visit here and there are so many fans to welcome us. We are really thankful that they at least recognize us (*laughs). We have never participated at any programs in China before so the feeling is pretty amazing.

Onew: It's 1st of January 2010 and we are able to perform on stage as well as to meet the fans from China, we are all very happy about it. When we heard that all the MCs from this tv program will be participating, we were really surprised.

COOL: Everybody mention that ever since SHINee is here, Chang Sha's weather has become cooler, "Shining" indeed!

Jonghyun: Oh, really?

Key: That's really amazing......

Onew: Thats good. Not bad not bad (*Laughs)

COOL: Among all the korean boybands, SHINee's style are rather unique, resembling the 20th century European/American kind of BOY BAND, how do all of you feel of this image?

Key: We have never heard anyone saying about this before, so thank you. But be it music or image, I don't think we portray that kind of feel.

COOL: But when you all first debuted, the representatives of S.M. seemed to promote you guys in this image.

Jonghyun: Oh, you mean like N'Sync, BSB that kind? (COOL: Yes!) Then there are some similarity. Our fashion do include some vintage elements which seems most suitable for us so it more or less contributed to our unique styles.

COOL: Do you all like this type of style?

SHINee: Yeah!! (*Laughs)

Key: If everyone thinks that it's good, then it's good. (*Smiles shyly)

Manager (*Interrupts): They will continue to change their images ......

SHINee: Yes!

COOL: In terms of music, you all have included many European/American ways of singing, do you all received such practices during your training days?

Jonghyun: We do indeed have vocal training practices, we practiced even when we are talking too.

COOL: Seniors like DBSK or Super Junior have gone through difficult times when they just debuted before becoming TOP mega groups, reaching the peak of their careers. SHINee being the second generation, everything has been going on smoothly ever since you guys debuted, we are really curious if you all have gone through any difficult times yet?

Taemin: From the start, we have always been working very hard, we have also learnt a lot from all our seniors. But up till now, we have not experience any hardships that leaves an unforgettable impression. (*Laughs)

COOL: There is a saying that goes "Growing up needs to be completed readily in failures", from your debut till now, are there any incidents that contributed to your growing up stages?

Onew: The seniors are always helping us, telling us "This should be done better this way, that should be done better that way" something like that, therefore we have indeed gone through lesser hurdles and benefitted a lot.

Taemin: Besides.......... the seniors always buy us a lot of good food, haha.

COOL: [[ 2009, Year of US ]] brings a lot of changes to your styles, what do the members think are the biggest change in this area?

Onew: Appearance.

Key: Firstly, in this album, there are a lot of elements that we like a lot and also things that we have always wanted to try it out, the members' appearances have also gone through a huge makeover. There isn't a need to hide because everyone are different from each other. From now on, we will continuously portray an image that can brings out our character and yet be readily accepted by everyone.

Taemin: Please look forward to it! (*Laughs)

COOL: Did the members came up with the album title, [[ 2009, Year of US ]]? It's really strong......

Onew: Haha, we don't have that capability yet.

COOL: It's already 2010, looking back on 2009, what is the achievement that you guys are most proud of? Use actual evidence to prove that "This is a year of US".

Minho: Last year, we were given an award by SBS Inkigayo, at the Golden Disc Awards we were given the popularity award and also performed at many various award ceremonies during year end. There are too many of such good experiences, it's really impossible to pick one out of all.

Jonghyun: Hmmm .... I think that it's Minho becoming more outgoing, everyone thinks so too right? Haha!

Onew: Aigoo~ And also, there are 2 adults in 2010.

COOL: In SHINee's music, we have seen the strong song writing skills of S.M. , this is considered one of your unique points as well. [[ Ring Ding Dong ]], being the first song of SHINee not from the remake of any european songs, how do the members feel when they first heard the Demo?

Onew: The feeling was super ~~~~ good.

Minho: "Ah, not a foreign song!"

Key: Honestly when I first heard the Demo, I have a lot of thoughts going through my mind because our songs have always been very difficult, thus, we always try our best to overcome them, it will also be the same this time round.

COOL: All of you have done an excellent job, besides the songs, the choreography have also garnered a lot of attention, do the members contribute to the dance choreography?

Jonghyun: We do have little adjustments in all our individual parts, for example we all have different hand gestures and movements.

Taemin: There are many discussions on the choreography this time round, we do have our own thoughts at times, like "For this part, is it alright to dance like this? That part can change to this?", this dance can be considered the piece that we have contributed the most of our own thoughts. (*Laughs)

COOL: Through this album, the members seem to have grown from "Herbivores" to "Omnivores", as a whole, what are the changes you guys have gone through?

Jonghyun: Firstly, our appearance have gone through a huge change in this album. During [[ Juliette ]] days, be it the clothing or song lyrics, are more matured, mainly describing about a boy's feelings during confession. This time round, the lyrics are more powerful and matured, thus it's more like the transformation of a boy to a man.

COOL: The second hit [[ JOJO ]] is not as powerful as the first hit, it seems like the total opposite of [[ Ring Ding Dong ]].

Jonghyun: [[ Ring Ding Dong ]] and [[ JOJO ]] are totally different genres. In terms of the tune or image style, they are completely different. [[ JOJO ]]'s attire are more fashionable, more like the feel of a Boy Band. [[ Ring Ding Dong ]] also have a strong sense of fashion, the genre is more similar to SMP, it gives out a different kind of feel in all these areas.

COOL: Key and Minho collaborated in the song [[ Get Down ]] which stands out in this album, how do each of you feel about this collaboration?

Minho: This is the first time we recorded this type of music, therefore both of us feel that this collaboration is very refreshing and special as well. In addition, I really like the style of this song, thus it felt great when we performed, it's a rather good experience.

COOL: Why would you all think of inviting Luna to feature in this song?

Minho: f(x) is our first hoobae, they also like our songs a lot, therefore having this collaboration, really thankful to them.

COOL: From your debut till now, are there any changes to each of the members' responsibilities in the group?

Key: When we just debuted, the characters of each member are not that obvious, thus we did not really assign the responsibilities. All the members always bear in mind to continuously work hard and to move forward to achieve our goals. (*Shy)

Jonghyun: I don't think this is what they are asking?

COOL: Eh........ Like in the group, who is the one who will take care of all the details? Like who is responsible for "Morning Call"?

Minho: Jonghyun hyung.

Jonghyun: Actually is our maknae Taemin.

SHINee: Hahahahahaha.

Onew: As long as Taemin wakes us up, we will all get out of bed readily.

Jonghyun: We have been living together for quite some time now, thus we have already build up the rapport between all of us.

Onew: That's right, even without talking, we already know what each other wants through eye contact.

COOL: In that case, use the "Serial Killing" method to give a comment, and lastly add a new greeting to one of the member, how about that?

Onew: Just say whatever you want to say! Hahaha.....

Taemin: Then let me go first! Minho ah, firstly he is very tall, (*Jonghyun bursts out in laughter) in all he is a very handsome boy. How to say (*looks at Minho for a long time), he is very good at leading people, he has a very captivating voice while singing, personally I feel that his voice is full of maturity. And also when he is on stage, he can easily attract everybody's attention, he has the Charisma that can let everyone focus their attention on him (*Emphasize again)

COOL: In this new year, do you have any greetings for Minho?

Taemin: Ah! Happy New Year! (*Everybody bursts out laughing!!!!) You are an adult this year already, hope you can show your handsome side to everyone often, I will also learn from you. Let's work hard together!

Minho (*after correcting his expression): Onew hyung has a very charming voice, he looks very gentle too. In this album, he has a Solo song which I like it a lot. Although the song itself is already very nice, but after listening to Onew hyung's singing, I am really immersed in it. He is rather good when participating in programs too, hope he will be able to maintain this best condition in 2010.

COOL: What are your opinions on his tendency of falling most of the time?

Minho (*in a serious manner): I hope he won't fall in 2010, please.

Onew: 2010, I will grow taller.....

SHINee: .................

Onew: Sorry! (Trying to be funny but failed) About Jonghyun, he is full of charm when he sings, he is also very hardworking in terms of music and dancing. He is also a very talented person, he is very good in composing lyrics. In a while, he will be producing songs beyond everyone's expectations. Last year, he wrote the lyrics for [[ Juliette ]], this year hopefully he will be able to excel and work even harder to let his lyrics made known to more people.

Jonghyun: Key this friend, is very talented, he also has good fashionable sense, he has his own unique ideas in this area. No matter what difficulties he encounters, he won't give up easily and will work hard to overcome it. (*Using the tone of a broadcaster) How is he able to do so well in all these areas? Why is he so perfect? ..... Ah ah, the answer will be revealed to everyone in 2010. (*Bursts out laughing!)

COOL: Key is someone who dares to speak whatever is on his mind, won't your honesty brings you any trouble?

Key: All along my character is very outgoing, so basically I always speak whatever is on my mid, that's how my character is. Let's talk about our Taemin, he is really cute, he is also a very useful maknae in the group. Because he always works very hard, so not only in the year 2010, he will always be a kid that is worth everyone to look forward to! (Exchange looks with Taemin sweetly)

New Year Directions

COOL: Any wishes for the New Year?

Onew: The biggest wish is for everyone to be healthy.

Jonghyun: That's right, health is the most important.

COOL: Who is the best at taking care of his health?

Jonghyun: All the members are pretty good at taking care of their health.

Onew: We are all very good in taking care of our health!

COOL: All of you are rather good at taking care of yourselves despite of your young age!

source: magazine scans as tagged.

translated by shiningmaknaetaemin @ theshiningshineeworld