Koffee & Kpop

Today marks the 6th year since you’ve been gone. In a way, you pulled me back into K-pop, which led me to actively pursue my dream of teaching English in South Korea.

I’ve been here since 2020 and recently renewed my teaching contract for another year. Shinee was my first K-pop concert–my first experience being surrounded by fans who also knew the lyrics of my favorite songs, waving our pearl aqua blue lightsticks to the rhythm of the stadium. “Ring Ding Dong” was the first song I sang at a 노래방 with strangers I had met just hours before at an Ingress anomaly. I’m pretty sure my microphone wasn’t even on, but you heard me, didn’t you? I’m sorry. My Korean is still pretty bad, and it’s not an easy song to sing well thanks to the autotune that was popular back then.

Yours was the first birthday cafe I went to. There were a lot of people there. You’re still in our hearts.

Your members are doing well. Taemin just had his first concert and apparently performed a song upside down and blindfolded. Minho released his first solo EP in addition to his acting work and Key has been releasing new music and participating on variety shows as well. Onew released his first solo album but has been on hiatus, taking care of his health. It was just Taemin, Minho and Key at the SHINee World VI [Perfect Illumination] concert, but let me tell you, they did so incredibly well. I’m sure you’re proud, as you were undoubtedly watching over them.

You did well.

We’ll always be with you.

천사같은 목소리를 다시 듣고 싶어요. 수고했어요. 사랑합니다…