shinee

• Lee Jinki (이진기), better known by his stage name Onew (온유) was born in the city of Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do on December 14, 1989 (1989-12-14) (age 20). The leader, one of the vocalists and oldest member in the group, was discovered at the 2006 S.M. Academy Casting.^[46] Onew collaborated with Lee Hyun Ji, former member of project group Banana Girl, for his song "Vanilla Love" and with label-mate, Jessica of Girls' Generation for the song "Il Nyeon Hu (One Year Later)" (Korean: 일년後" (One Year Later)").^[47]
• Kim Jonghyun (김종현), commonly known as Jonghyun, is the main vocalist in the group.^[48] He was born on April 8, 1990 (1990-04-08) (age 20) and raised in Seoul. He was discovered at the "2005 S.M. Casting System".^[46] Before debuting with Shinee, Jonghyun sang a duet, "Wrongly Given Love" (交错的爱), with Zhang Liyin for her debut Chinese album I Will.^[46]
• Kim Kibum (김기범), better known by his stage name Key (키), is one of the rappers and vocalists in the group.^[46] He was born on September 23, 1991 (1991-09-23) (age 19) and raised in Daegu. He was a gifted varsity water-skier at Dae Gu Young Shin Middle School.^[49] He was discovered at the "2005 S.M. National Tour Audition Casting".^[46] Before debuting with Shinee, Key appeared in Super Junior's Wonder Boy MV as an extra dancer. Key was featured in label-mate Xiah's solo "Xiahtic".^[50] In 2010 Key was featured in the song "치유 (Healing)" on label-mates TRAX's first mini album "Trax Mini Album Volume 1".^[51] Later, it was also announced that Key would have a small part in Girls' Generation's song "Hwaseongin Virus (Boys & Girls)" (Korean: "화성인 바이러스 (Boys & Girls)") on their second studio album Oh!.^[52]
• Choi Minho (최민호), commonly known as Minho, is the other rapper in the group. He was born on December 9, 1991 (1991-12-09) (age 18) and raised in Incheon. He also directs and writes raps in some of their songs. He was discovered at the 2006 S.M. Casting System.^[46] Before debuting with Shinee, Minho modeled for Ha Sang Baek's "Seoul Collection F/W 08-09" in March.^[32] He has appeared in Girls' Generation's music video "Gee"^[53] and featured in VNT's debut video, "Sound". Minho is also a permanent cast member in KBS's Dream Team Season 2.^[54] He will also debut as an actor on November 20, 2010 in a KBS Drama Special, entitled Pianist. ^[55]
• Lee Taemin (이태민), commonly known as Taemin, is the lead dancer of the group.^[48] He was born on July 18, 1993 (1993-07-18) (age 17), and raised in Seoul. He is the youngest member in the group. He was discovered at the "2005 S.M. Open Weekend Audition Casting".^[46] Taemin debuted as an actor in the sitcom Taehee-Hyegyo-Jihyun! (Korean: "태희혜교지현이!").^[56]