We all found out on November, 8, that Onew will be enlisting in the military on December 10, 2018.
We all knew that this would happen sooner or later, but for many of us, this was sooner than expected.
There are many Shawols (fandom of SHINee), who are sad to see him leave, I want you all to know that this isn't forever. He will be back.
Please remember that, he will be back.
The other SHINee members will have to enter the military soon as well. We don't know officially when yet, but they will have to as will others from other k-pop groups.
I pray for everyone's health and safety and that they all come back to us and can once again continue on making beautiful music for us and acting in dramas and films and we get to enjoy other things which will likely happen in their lives in the future as well. I hope for good things to happen to them.
For those who are unaware, all South Korean men have to serve in the military for what used to be two years. Thankfully, this has recently been lowered by a few months now and they only have to serve a year and a half. Men who are unable to serve because of health reasons, can do an alternative form of service to complete this requirement. There are those who are completely exempt as well, but that is for very severe problems. Nothing that I would want to wish on anyone.
As for thoughts for Onew, I hope that he can do well in the military and do the best he can in whatever he has to do. I hope that he can stay warm in the winter as, from what I know, it gets very cold in South Korea. I also hope that we will see some updates from him time to time and that he will get to see his family and friends at some point during this time. I have read that this can be a problem for many South Korean men and I hope that they can all see and hear from their families while serving in the military.
With all this being said, I want to share a few ways, I will be doing in order to support SHINee, during their temporary hiatus.
π Stream their music videos on official websites like YouTube and VLive.
π Vote for them in the end of the year awards and anything else we can vote for them in. This is important and also free.
π Stream their music on official websites like Spotify, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube (official uploads), and if you can - Melon, Genie, Naver Music, and LINE music. These aren't available in every country, but are an important part to South Korean and Japan charts.
π Continue to use official hashtags on social media and send encouraging messages to the SHINee members on their official SNS accounts. We won't know when they might read it, but on the chance they do, it's good to send them. Also, please post positive and respectful things about them.
π Lastly, if you can, please but their albums and official merchandise from reputable stores and online shops who have proof they count towards the charts in South Korea and Japan.
Another thing that I will be doing, since I've only been a Shawol for a year is watching their interviews, dramas, movies, and other things they've participated in over the last ten years. That will definitely help the time pass.
Please don't forget to support any of their solo activities. In particular, Key just released his debut music video and solo stages. Please watch them and support him when his album finally comes out. He's worked very hard for this. Taemin is coming out with a new album in Japan and Minho is currently filming a new movie. I look forward to all of these things and hopefully being able to collect their albums as well.
I hope that this helps anyone who is feeling sad or any number of mixed emotions over Onew and soon the other members having to go into the military. If anyone would like to talk about it, feel free to do so here or at my Instagram.
Instagram : @inspiredartblog
SHINee will be back!
Please Remember that, they will be back.
Please wait for them.
"η§γεΎ γ£γ¦γγ γγ!" Onew had us promise him.
"η§γεΎ γ£γ¦γγ γγ!" Onew had us promise him.
