What SHINee Actually Went Through In 2018, According To Taemin

2018 was a time of great turmoil for the group and fans.

In the latest “D Edition” of ELLE Korea magazine, SHINee‘s Taemin commented on what SHINee went through in 2018, a time of great turmoil for the group and fans.

SHINee’s Taemin on the cover of ELLE Korea’s D Edition. | ELLE Korea

In his magazine interview, Taemin explained that SHINee almost disbanded in 2018, but pulling through that difficult time has become one of the proudest moments in his SHINee career.

A screenshot of the printed version of Taemin’s interview with ELLE Korea. | theqoo

ELLE Korea: From 2007 to now, of all the things you have achieved as Taemin, what makes you the proudest?

Taemin: The path I walked with the members. Every step of it. If you told me to go back in time and do it all over again, I don’t think I would be able to. That’s how much we went through as a group. In 2018, when we were actively discussing disbandment, we chose not to give up. And it’s such a good thing that we kept going. I’m so grateful because so many people love and support us, relate with us, and watch over us. Being able to live life this way is a blessing.

While Taemin did not detail what made the year such a struggle, SHINee fans understood that 2018 must have been devastating, as it was right after Jonghyun’s passing and in the middle of Onew‘s sexual harassment investigation.

SHINee’s Onew Cleared of All Sexual Harassment Charges

That said, Taemin’s honesty in the interview has since made SHINee fans emotional. A viral theqoo post saw hundreds of comments from those who also thought 2018 might have been the end of SHINee.

| theqoo

• “Yeah, it was a rough time back then… SHINee fans almost expected it to come. And we were so grateful that the members decided to come back.”
• “I got so emotional watching Taemin tell his hyungs that he doesn’t want to be apart from them, and Onew say he couldn’t even cry because he didn’t think he deserved to. Like, I would have accepted it had they told me they simply could not keep going. But they pulled through, and I’m so thankful.”
• “Thanks, SHINee. I love them.”
• “Thank you… No, really. I’m so grateful.”
• “2018 was rough for me, too. I still don’t really want to think about that year… But I was able to pull through because SHINee was able to pull through. I felt so sorry for them, and I was so grateful. I love that they’re still together. I love them so much.”
• “Reading the comments reminds me of what it was like… SHINee members did not pull through because they found courage and will power in their fans. If I remember correctly, fans were a total mess back then. They were fighting and… It was disgusting. SHINee pulled through the grief all by themselves. And then they helped the fans move past what happened. For that, they have my respect. They’re incredible. I love SHINee.”
• “SHINee is still so incredible. I hope they always have fun doing what they do.”
• “Oh, wow…”
• “I’m not exactly a SHINee fan, but I do wish them the best for a long, long time.”

After debuting in 2008 and overcoming an almost-disbandment in 2018, SHINee has served hit after hit for the K-Pop world for 16 years—even when the members have left SM Entertainment and found new homes.

Read more about Onew’s move to GRIFFIN Entertainment below.

SHINee’s Onew Discloses Unexpected Reason Why He Left SM Entertainment