SHINEE Goes 'HARD' in New Comeback • POP TOKKI

One of the most popular 2nd Gen Kpop boy groups, SHINEE, recently released “HARD – The 8th Album” on June 26. Debuting in 2008 with the EP “Replay – The First Mini Album”, this boy group quickly grew to success under SM Entertainment. After 15 years in the industry, SHINEE has only continued to gain more fans and excite them with every comeback.

Although though the five-member boy group is currently a four-member boy group, fans, and members always keep Jonghyun in their hearts and memories with each comeback. “HARD – The 8th Album” consists of 10 songs that bring new elements and old elements that fans feel nostalgic from.

‘HARD’

The title track “Hard” has a hip-hop, boom-bap, and R&B influence. Along with a piano melodic undertone. The song was written by the famous Korean songwriter, Kenzie. The song’s message reflects trusting yourself and never giving up, even in the hardest of times hence the title “HARD”.

The MV theme focuses on the structure of a piano with its keyboard stairs as well as its hammer and string-like architecture. The MV starts off with Taemin being sucked into the piano then follows the other members inside the piano. Again, keeping the piano is the theme with a few scenes of the members and backup dancers dancing in front of a damaged black piano. We also see various glitching aspects all throughout the MV, that matched the soundtrack.

The 8th Album” consist of 9 other songs: “JUICE”, “10x”, “Satellite”, “Identity”, “The Feeling”, “Like It”, “Sweet Memory”, “Insomnia”, and “Gravity”. Each song carries either a hip-hop, R&B, pop, or melodic influence. Some of these songs carry old elements that have been popular in past SHINEE albums.