SHINee's Onew signs with newly-created Griffin Entertainment

Singer Onew from boy band SHINee [GRIFFIN ENTERTAINMENT]

Onew of boy band SHINee signed with newly-established agency Griffin Entertainment to start a new chapter of his solo career.

The singer signed an exclusive contract with the company as the first artist to be managed by the label, according to Griffin Entertainment in a press release.

Onew’s contract for his solo artist activities with SM Entertainment, his agency of 16 years, expired in late March. He will continue his band activities with SHINee through SM Entertainment.

“We will fully support Onew in multiple ways so that the artist can find a comfortable haven in the agency,” Jang Moon-sung, Griffin Entertainment's CEO, said in the press release.

Onew debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008. The band saw a blowout debut with "Replay" (2008) and found massive success with hits including "Ring Ding Dong" (2009), "LUCIFER" (2010), "Sherlock" (2012) and "Dream Girl" (2013).

He launched his solo career with his first EP, “Voice,” in 2018 and has since released his second EP “Dice” (2022) and first full-length album “Circle” (2023).

The singer has been taking a break from his activities since June, citing health issues.

To find out more about Onew, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]