SHINEE tops album charts in South Korea and Taiwan
SEOUL: Korean boy band SHINee’s latest album Why So Serious? The Misconceptions of Me is topping album charts in both South Korea and Taiwan.
Released on Apr 29, it is their third album.
It has topped both the daily and weekly charts in Korea. In Taiwan, it is number one on the Five Music albums chart.
SHINee is making a huge splash because they are dishing out just what fans have been waiting for.
The song Why So Serious is about romantic zombies, unconventional from the flesh- eating creatures we are accustomed to. With white-toned outfits and upbeat choreography, on top of constant smiles throughout the performance, SHINee depicted lovely zombies who could leave ladies swooning and salivating.
Last month, SHINee was in the headlines for the wrong reason: vocalist Jonghyun was involved in a car accident.
That sidelined him from the promotions for Chapter 2: ‘ Why So Serious? — The Misconceptions of Me.
Part one of the album had earlier been released in January.
SHINee have packed schedules. Their latest Japanese single was released only a few weeks before their February Korean single.
In the wake of the accident, their label SM Entertainment pushed forward with the group fi lming the music video to title track Why So Serious? without Jonghyun. They also recorded a new version without his vocals.
However, with Jonghyun sidelined, the band seems awkward and incomplete.
Additionally, many of the impressive vocal sections are seemingly split between members Taemin and Onew. While talented singers themselves, Jonghyun was a major vocal asset to the group with the sections watered down in the music video version.
Despite the setbacks, SHINee’s new single is undoubtedly strong and shows growth compared with the catchy, but very safe, Dream Girl from February.
Why So Serious? combines energetic horn and guitar licks with a stomping, rock-pop edge. The boys’ rapping and singing have never sounded better.
The Chapter 2 album also features much more risktaking. The album opens with Nightmare, which features spine-tingling ghostly sounds and vocal effects. Like A Fire gets funky with a distinctive rhythm and blues sound.
Meanwhile, Jonghyun is expected to rejoin the group for promotions later this month.