Onew Returns with New Album After 5-Month Hiatus
SHINee’s Onew officially made his comeback on July 15 with the release of his second full-length album ‘PERCENT’. This marks his return about five months after his previous mini-album ‘CONNECTION’. To celebrate the album launch, a media showcase was held at MyungHwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, where Onew performed his dynamic new title track ‘ANIMALS’.
A Personal Journey Toward Wholeness
‘PERCENT’ is much more than just a musical release. It serves as an introspective journal that documents Onew’s path to becoming whole. Through 11 diverse tracks, the album explores the idea that a person is shaped and completed through their interactions with the world. Onew believes that we may never be complete on our own, but there’s beauty in being imperfect. Having participated extensively in the songwriting and production, Onew showcases his growth and depth as an artist.
Title Track ‘ANIMALS’: A Liberation of Instinct
The title track ‘ANIMALS’ is a powerful pop song that captures the exhilarating moment of raw instinct breaking free. Built around a crisp bass line and acoustic guitar, the track is both polished and primal. Pulsing synths push the song forward while FX sound effects—which resemble animal cries—infuse it with pure and direct energy. It’s a sonic experience that invites listeners to let go of logic and follow their senses.
Fan Experience Extended with Pop-Up Store
To mark the occasion, Onew also opened a special pop-up store, ‘ONEW 2ND ALBUM ‘PERCENT’ POP-UP STORE’, at the Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store’s ground floor Open Stage. The store launched the same day as the album release, giving fans a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Onew’s artistic world both aurally and visually.
Looking Ahead
Onew’s comeback with ‘PERCENT’ is more than a return—it’s a declaration of artistic confidence. By blending introspective themes with bold soundscapes, the SHINee leader proves once again why he holds a special place in K-pop’s ever-evolving landscape.
