Onew (Lee Jin Ki)

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SHINee

Onew was discovered at the 2006 by the S.M. Academy Casting and signed the contract with S.M Entertainment the day after his audition. He debuted as one of the lead vocalists of the boy group SHINee in May 2008, who went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea.

Shortly after debut, Onew contributed to singles for Lee Hyun-ji in 2008, for 'Vanilla LOVE' and 'Vanilla Love Part 2'. In 2009, he was featured with Girls' Generation member Jessica for the song 'One Year Later in the Tell Me Your Wish' mini-album. The same year, he also sang a duet with Kim Yeon-woo for the song, 'The Name I Loved' from the third mini album by SHINee, '2009, Year Of Us'.

In 2010, Onew tried his hands at songwriting and together with his bandmate Minho, wrote the lyrics for the song, "Your Name" from SHINee's second studio album Lucifer. In addition to music, Onew became an MC of two programs - KBS2's Night Star, which he co-hosted alongside Shin Dong-yup, Yoon Jong-shin, movie director Jang Hang Joon, and Leessang's Gil and MBC's Show! Music Core. Since his first job as an MC, Onew has gained experience through the years and was active as a presenter for different television networks and events like Dream Concert, SBS's Incheon K-Pop Concert and also Mnet's special event in Taiwan called Nihao Taiwan.

Onew starred in various musicals starting from 2010, debuting in the musical 'Brothers were Brave' alongside singer Lee Ji-hoon. He then starred in the Korean production of 'Rock of Ages' playing the lead role, Drew. Onew has also showcased his acting skills via television like having a cameo role as a clumsy doctor in the drama 'Dr. Champ'. He appeared in the drama's final episode. He also had cameo roles in the dramas 'Athena: Goddess of War, Oh My God x2', 'Pure Love' and for sitcom 'Royal Villa'. Also, Onew recorded a song titled 'In Your Eyes' for the drama series 'To the Beautiful You'. The song was released in the album 'To The Beautiful You OST Part 2' on August 22, 2012. Onew also sang the soundtrack 'Moonlight' for drama 'Miss Korea'. The song was released on January 3, 2014.

Onew underwent a vocal cord polyp removal and vocal fold mucosa reconstruction operation in June 2014, which made him unable to sing for a few months. In December, 2014, Kim Yeon-woo, Onew's vocal coach revealed during a radio broadcast that Onew's condition had improved after the surgery. He also said that Onew's vocal range "improved and he can make sounds comfortably too". 

Aside from group activities, Onew has participated in various television dramas, mostly known for his role of Baek Su in JTBCs sitcom 'Welcome to Royal Villa' (2013) and the cardiothoracic resident Lee Chi-hoon in the popular KBS2 drama 'Descendants of the Sun' (2016).

In August 2017, Onew was accused of sexual harassment. The victim stated that on August 12 in a night club in Gangnam, Onew, who was intoxicated, touched her leg two or three times as he tried to stand up, over the course of two hours while she was dancing on one of the club's multiple dancing platforms that was adjacent to where Onew was seated. However, she acknowledged that such incidents could happen under the influence of alcohol and withdrew the charge. Nevertheless, the case was forwarded to the prosecution as a recommendation for indictment without detention. After a four-month hiatus, Onew posted a letter of apology, which was accepted widely among his fans, but others called for him to step down from Shinee. On April 5, 2018, SM Entertainment announced that the charges against him had been dismissed by the prosecutors.

On November 9, 2018 it was announced that Onew would be leaving for his mandatory military training starting on December 10, 2018. I was also said that Onew wanted a quite leave so the location or time was not announced.

In mid November 2018 it was announced by SM Entertainment that Onew would be releasing his first Solo Album entitled "Voice" on December 5, 2018 prior to leaving for his mandatory military service on December 10, 2018.

In July 2019, Onew joined the military musical titled Shinheung Military Academy, which tells the story of patriotic youths who fought to gain independence from Japan. Onew joined another military musical in August 2019 together with Exo's member Xiumin. They were cast in the new army musical titled Return: The Promise of That Day as the young Seung-ho who fought during the Korean War. It was an original army musical and deals with the topic of excavating the remains of the heroic soldiers who sacrificed themselves to protect their country during the Korean War.

Onew was officially discharged from the military on July 8, 2020, 12 days earlier than his expected date of discharge in light of South Korea's efforts to combat COVID-19.

In January 2021, Onew resumed activities as part of Shinee. In May 2021, Onew was cast in the musical Midnight Sun as the male lead Ha-ram.