Reliving the Magic: A Shawol's Journey Through ‘My SHINee World’ Screening

With SHINee celebrating their 17th debut anniversary this year and the recent news about Roo, their recent comeback has been one of the most emotional ones to date. 

The fact that the album was called ‘Poet | Artist’ (the name of Jonghyun's second and final studio album), the focus on the group’s mascots (ALL five of them) with the merch and each member's assigned colours or how their promo photos seemed to mostly reference past Jonghyun ones… all of these bring back memories. Memories and (yet again) another confirmation that no one loves 5HINee more than the SHINee members.

Image Credit: SM Entertainment

Because of this, I thought we’d relive the day I attended the screening of My SHINee World in London…

The screening felt like embarking on a journey through time, packed with nostalgia and an emotional rollercoaster. It started with a glimpse into the room of a devoted Shawol, filled wall-to-wall with albums, posters and other memorabilia. It was like stepping into a shrine filled with love and dedication and from there, we were catapulted into SHINee’s world as the members were introduced. Each name was met with cheers and shouts from the audience, as if we were in a live concert rather than in a cinema room.

The film seamlessly took us back in time, rewinding to their rookie era, where ‘Replay’ echoed through the sound system, transporting us to the group’s early live performances. It wasn’t just a recollection; it felt like experiencing the adrenaline of their debut all over again. The backstage snippets were especially moving, such as Onew giving the members words of encouragement before diving into ‘Love Like Oxygen’. The iconic break dance sequence with all the stomping and sheer power brought back memories of their unforgettable ‘Lucifer’ days and more.

None of us could contain our excitement when a suited performance of ‘Love Should Go On’ was shown on the screen, followed by a return to the Shawol room, where Minho, Key and Taemin nostalgically shifted through the fan’s collection. You could feel the members’ deep appreciation as they reflected on fans’ dedication over the years. A particular moment that resonated with me was when Key candidly shared he felt as if their careers up until that point was filled with “70% hardships and 30% great moments”, encapsulating the highs and lows of pursuing your passion. It was a reminder that even for our idols, the journey to doing what you love is far from smooth.

Musical performances were interspersed throughout the documentary, each one like a trip down memory lane. ‘Juliette’s’ stood out, especially the performance with them in their black and gold outfits — it was a medley and I think nothing could match the magic of watching Key's MJ-inspired breakdance or the powerful vocals from Onew and Jonghyun live. There was also that inevitable moment when ‘Ring Ding Dong’ came up, with Key jokingly referring to it as his nemesis, though there’s no denying the energy it always brings.

As the members expressed their gratitude to fans, the screen was filled with clips from fan meetings and concerts from over the years. The memories continued to appear as if being showcased through an old projector and we were back to performances like ‘Sherlock (Clue + Note)’ and ‘Hitchiking’ (one of my favourites!) where their knight-like suits shone as bright as their artistry. We were then pulled back to the Shawol’s room once more, where the group talked about the harsh realities they faced post-debut. It turns out, the hardest part wasn't debuting but everything that came after. They confessed to playing video games and watching shows like ‘High Kick!’ just to de-stress, as mingling with other artists was off-limits to preserve the group’s mysterious image.

The film captured some lesser-discussed moments as well, such as their struggles with the "idol’s seven-year curse" and the growing pains of experiencing young adulthood while being under the spotlight. Key admitted that during that time, tension ran high among the members as they were all figuring themselves out. For me, it was comforting to see them acknowledge those difficulties and look back with understanding. 

Then came the emotional heavy-hitters. 

‘Our Page’ brought the cinema room to a sudden quietness as the members performed the touching tribute; no one clapped or cheered afterwards, as if we were all sharing a collective moment of reflection once the performance ended. Tears welled up as the screen showed clips of Jonghyun, reminding us of the profound loss that the group and fans continue to feel.

Image Credit: SM Entertainment

The screening didn’t shy away from touching on more recent chapters of SHINee’s journey, from the members’ military service, to the challenges of navigating a pandemic and redefining themselves as a group. Minho commenting "One thing for sure, we’re not mature yet," was a heartening reminder of their humility and ever-present desire to grow. 

‘Don’t Call Me’ came on and shook the screen, bringing the theatre back to life with applause and excitement. It was a reminder of SHINee's resilience and their ability to adapt to an ever-changing industry while retaining their unique identity. The film’s finale took us behind the scenes of ‘SHINee World VI’, where ‘Selene 6.23’ left us with precious memories. 

As we walked out of the theatre, it felt like a warm embrace from the group itself, a reminder that SHINee is indeed our contemporary band, always shining and always evolving. 

For Shawols like myself, ‘My Shinee World’ wasn’t just a documentary; it was a heartfelt reunion with the group we watched grow and the memories we made along the way, while ‘Poet | Artist’ being released on the same day as the group’s 17th anniversary will hopefully work as assurance that many more are yet to come.