KEY from the group SHINee has unveiled a striking new visual.
Fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar Korea released a photoshoot featuring KEY of SHINee, who is making his comeback with his third studio album, “HUNTER.”
When asked why he chose this moment to release a new studio album, three years after his last, he replied:
“I felt it was time to give my fans something like a bouquet of flowers. These days, releasing a full-length album is something done solely for the fans.”
Regarding his choice of a “horror” concept, he explained:
“At this point, making an album feels like a battle to discover what’s left inside me—whether it’s pop culture or more niche art. It’s becoming harder and harder to find something that pulls the trigger within me. Lately, the horror genre has done that for me. Looking back, I realized I’ve been consistently watching horror films that fall somewhere between A-list and B-movie—like zombie flicks or Final Destination. My ultimate goal was to create scenes with an unsettling, eerie atmosphere—without relying on graphic violence. I had tons of ideas, from Neapolitan urban legends to the Jangsanbeom creature.”
Known for being deeply involved in every aspect of his projects—from concept and styling to promotion—KEY also discussed one of the key elements he developed for this album:
“With Gasoline, the concept centered around a VHS tape design. This time, it’s UV light. I once saw a bar menu that revealed hidden items only under a UV light, and I thought it was so cool that I had to incorporate it into this album. When you shine a UV light on the eye design on the album box, something is revealed. Among the released concepts, there’s even an outfit with words that can only be seen under UV light.”
Asked to define himself in a single word, now in his 17th year in the industry, having worked across variety shows, dramas, and musicals, he responded:
“I’m an entertainer. I started with music, but I believe in taking every opportunity to show myself to the public in the fields I love, whether it’s variety shows, acting, or magazines. Otherwise, it would just go to waste. I always work with the mindset that everything could disappear tomorrow. So even if something is fleeting—just a brief encounter or a one-off project—if it can become a good experience or a beautiful memory, I dive in.”
The full photoshoot and interview with SHINee’s KEY can be found in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar Korea.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Harper’s Bazaar Korea
