My Story

I've been a Shawol since Fall 2013 ever since I caught a fan cam of Shinee powering through Why So Serious in Hong Kong's torrential rain. Their sheer work ethic, the professionalism despite adversity - it resonated with my values and I thought these guys have something.

Sure I have been a casual admirer of Shinee before then. I downloaded Stand By Me as part of the Boys Before Flowers OST. I downloaded Lucifer and Ring Ding Dong onto my phone just because I liked the songs. Heck, I even saw them live at SMTown NYC in 2011. I was stanning another group at that point but Shinee impressed me with their fire, lasers and wirework.

Since that fateful day in Fall 2013, I consumed everything I could on the internet, going back to old variety shows, music videos etc. Hello Baby introduced me to their personalities - sassy and together Key has to be my favorite. If they were not idols and say were corporate workers, he will go far up the career ladder with his wits and common sense. Onew is not far behind in my bias list - but for a different reason - quite simply, his singing voice. Jonghyun may be the more technically brilliant singer with a wider range but when Onew starts singing, something deep resonates in my heart. Needless to say, I worried along with all Shawols during his nodule surgery that his voice would be affected (a la Julie Andrews).

My life as a Shawol has had a few highlights - I visited Rakkojae, the traditional guest house in Seoul where they filmed Hello Baby. I ended up talking to a YG band who were filming that day there but that's another story. I saw them live in Hong Kong during the Everybody fan tour (more fan interaction, less songs). However, I wanted to see a full Shinee World concert in their home city - Seoul or even a larger venue like Tokyo Dome. There may not be many chances left to see OT5 when they start enlisting! My wish was fulfilled last weekend - I was in the audience at Shinee World V on September 3...

Shinee in Hong Kong - Everybody Tour (This photo captures Shinee World for me - we shine on Shinee)