South Korean singer and actor
Onew is best known as a member of K-pop group
Shinee. With his smooth, comforting vocals, he was leader of the quintet, releasing a dozen Korean- and Japanese-language efforts within a decade. In 2018, he issued his solo debut,
Voice.
Born Lee Jin-ki in Gwangmyeong, he was recruited by SM Entertainment in 2006, making his debut as one-fifth of the K-pop boy band
Shinee alongside
Key, Minho,
Taemin, and
Jonghyun. Over the course of a decade, they became one of the best-selling groups in Asia, releasing seven Korean-language and five Japanese-language albums. In addition to his duties as leader of
Shinee,
Onew also contributed his talents to other artists' records and acted in multiple television shows and films. Ten years after
Shinee's debut album, he released his own debut.
Voice showcased his preference for heartfelt ballads and rose to number two on the Korean charts and number eight on the U.S. World Albums list. Soon after the EP's release, he enlisted for his mandatory military service. ~ Neil Z. Yeung