On May 22, 2008, Shinee released their first EP under SM Entertainment which contains five tracks, including a remix version of their title song.[1][2] The eponymous title track was choreographed by Rino Nakasone, a Japanese dancer and choreographer.[3] The Korean music video includes f(x)'s Victoria as the female lead.[4] The Japanese music video, which was released in 2011, features Yoona of Girls' Generation.[5]
After the release the title song gained huge success, especially with the older female demographic.[6] The EP debuted at number 10 on the Korean music chart MIAK,[7] which compiled sales figures for music releases until 2008,[8] and peaked at number eight,[9] selling 17,957 copies in the first half of 2008.[10] Also, Shinee's fashion style, which was created by designer Ha Sang-beg and features high-top sneakers, skinny jeans, and colorful sweaters, gained a lot of attention.[11] Their style created a fashion trend amongst students which the media dubbed the "Shinee Trend".[12][1] Following the success of their debut, Shinee were chosen as endorsers for several brands, such as the cosmetic brand Nana's B[13] and the sports brand Reebok.[14]
On June 22, 2011, Shinee debuted in Japan and released the Japanese version of "Replay",[15] selling more than 91,000 copies in the first week. It was subsequently certified Gold by RIAJ for selling over 100,000 copies.[16] As of 2011, it was also the highest sales a Korean idol group had achieved for their debut in their first week of sales.[17]
Shinee were introduced as a contemporary R&B boy group[18] and debuted with a mini-album which includes a variety of genres mixed to create a total of five diverse R&B songs. Songwriters Yoo Young-jin and Kenzie participated in the composition of the album to create a "sophisticated sound with a wide range of vocals".[2][19]
