[▶ ✩✩✩ SHINee (샤이니) Official Thread # 2 ✩✩✩ ◀]

Thank you hyo.sa for the explanation. Can't see why they'd score 0 on viewer preference unless they weren't eligible for some reason? But I think the heavy weighting given to broadcast appearances is the one that bothers me most because it just seems like another way of working them to the bone - obviously some promotion is necessary and I'm sure they enjoy going on the odd show and whatnot, but if as well as the four weekly music shows they're also having to spend every other minute of every day being energetic and entertaining on tv/radio in order to score more points...

Oh well, it's all politics really, so not worth getting upset about.

Change of subject: what on earth is going on with Jjong's twitter??? At first I thought he was drunk, then remembered the time difference means it's morning over there so hoped presumed he was just hyper. That boy... I'm glad more ppl are realising just how funny he can be, although his most recent self-portrait really creeped me out!

And thank you to everyone who provides us with pictures/videos/updates and especially translations - you're all godsends!

[▶ ✩✩✩ SHINee (샤이니) Official Thread # 2 ✩✩✩ ◀]

Can anyone break down the MB score system? I'm curious about the 0 SHINee received. I read somewhere that album sales only count for 5% compared to 'broadcast points' (what exactly does that mean?) counting for 20%, which...seems odd to me! As someone who likes to actually have an album I can, you know, touch (I fear we're a dying breed), this makes me sad. I understand why digital sales may be ranked higher, but surely album sales shouldn't count for the least?

(Also, sometimes I really do not understand the direction decisions of the camera ppl!)

I can't deny I'm disappointed, but more than winning these charts I just hope that it's acknowledged somewhere (heh, don't know where/who/how though!) just how difficult Sherlock is to perform - every time they pull off that choreo + almost flawless live vocals it reminds me why they're my favourites! And no matter how many times I watch, whenever they break out into that first chorus I get giddy all over again!

Key's going to be pushed to the maximum with his musical coming up, but he always seems to have good stamina, so I'm sure he'll be brilliant. Though this probably means he'll miss Jonghyun's b-day fan party thing, presuming they hold one, which is a shame.

It seems like they've been filming for a bunch of different shows, so I'm looking forward to seeing those when they're broadcasted - the past week has reminded me how much I've missed SHINee on variety tv! And how much I'd love for them to get another reality show. Actually, I'd just be happy with them carrying around a camera for a couple of weeks, providing Key can bring himself to film something other than his own (albeit incredibly pretty) face!

[▶ ✩✩✩ SHINee (샤이니) Official Thread # 2 ✩✩✩ ◀]

Thanks for all the replies! It's interesting to hear what other folk think.

I'll always find the subjectivity of music fascinating, the way two ppl can listen to the exact same song and come away from it with completely different reactions. Anyway, like most folk here, music as a business is something I don't really like factoring into my listening/fan 'experience', because it's just cold hard capitalism and meh, for me music is an intensely personal and emotional connection so...yeah.

I'm just happy that with their international success they've been made aware of just how many ppl out there appreciate all their hard work and their music. I saw them at the mini-concert in London last November and they blew me away. Key especially has said some very thoughtful things in the past about popularity and ambition, which makes me think that they too care more about the quality of their output than awards, so I'm just going to trust in that.

I think it's incredibly difficult to be consistent without being...safe? I think it's easy to fall back on previous successes and in the process there's a danger of falling into a rut. There's a thin line between consistency and becoming stale! But that's my favourite thing about SHINee - they don't play it safe, they experiment. Clearly the 'contemporary' label is more than a gimmick to them, which is brilliant.

So yeah, bring on the next full album!

Edit: just saw hyo.sa's post (thanks btw for all the updates, much appreciated!) - can't believe they performed Lucifer and Sherlock back to back! And live! Makes me feel exhausted just thinking about it! But this was the concert where they were the only idols performing right? That's pretty awesome.

[▶ ✩✩✩ SHINee (샤이니) Official Thread # 2 ✩✩✩ ◀]

Hello! If anyone's interested in some discussion, I have a question. I've often read that SHINee is more popular internationally than within Korea. I'm not in a position to know whether or not that's true, although I certainly believe they're one of the most popular groups with international fans. So I guess I'm just curious, presuming this is true, as to why this is?

I suppose it's a two-strand question:

1. Why isn't SHINee more popular in Korea?

and

2. Why are SHINee so popular internationally?

(Disclaimer: popularity is relative, I know! Obviously they're more popular than a lot of newbies and unknowns, but maybe not as popular as (I feel) they should be?)

Myself, I'm not sure. I've heard folk speculate that big hits like Sorry Sorry and Gee owe part of their success to their accessibility, for example they're not only catchy but quite easy to belt out in karaoke. Similarly, their signature choreography moves are relatively easy to imitate. Mind you, this isn't to dismiss these songs/their singers in any way. Just to say that these examples have a hook, vocally or visually, that complete amateurs like myself could have a good go at.

Whereas SHINee tends to be more known (at least this is the impression I get) for their intense/complicated choreo and more diversely textured vocals. Again, this is a generalisation and in no way implies that other groups don't also have plenty of songs that fall under this category. I guess RDD is a good example - that seemed to win them the most awards (?) and I'd argue that it's their most...hmm, mainstream (in terms of pop = popular music) song. And it had some easily recognisable choreo that wasn't too tricky to copycat. Feel free to completely disagree though, I'm brainstorming!

But on the other hand, DBSK, who arguably reached previously unimaginable heights of fame, were also known for amazing vocals and complex choreo so if the aforementioned argument is accurate, what's changed?

I was drawn to SHINee initially for their music, which stood out to me and still does. I do believe their output is consistently impressive and constantly developing and I love how they don't stick to one genre - I've heard other ppl call albums like Lucifer or Sherlock incohesive, but personally I much prefer songs jumping from genre to genre, otherwise they just blend into each other. That's why Lucifer is without a doubt my favourite album - it has a bit of everything!

But all that said, I don't know why they seem to have caught on so strongly with international fans. I'm very glad they have though!

ANYWAY. Sorry for all that rambling. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks!

Oh, and one last question: why do SM groups never do that well digitally? Is this another issue, to do with popularity in terms of a central rabid fanbase vs. popularity in terms of reaching the wider, more indifferent to idols population?