Jacket, boxers, jeans, all Calvin Klein; shoes, Pedro

Jacket, jeans, all Calvin Klein

There was a time when you would only hear K-Pop in Korean restaurants — vocals mostly drowned by sizzling grills and loud chatter, and all that carries through is the thumping basslines and piercing synths. I remember vividly having this conversation with a collegemate when “Replay” came on the screen and she started singing along. She was introduced to the band by a childhood friend, and has been a fan ever since. I had not pegged her to be a fan of the genre, given that previous conversations were mostly centered on Western entertainment scene and whoever Wendy Williams discussed in her Hot Topics segment. As this was 2014, my surprise was not due to being unfamiliar with the genre, but mostly because it just did not seem like a conversation that would take place beyond the confines of my Music app and Tumblr. This was also a time when snippets from Korean variety shows had “ENGSUB” labelled on their titles, all of them bootleg screen recordings complete with the Bandicam watermark. 

Jacket, underwear, jeans, all Calvin Klein; shoes, Pedro

“View” from the album Odd (2015) was my first SHINee era experienced in real time. The musical embodiment of a sparkling pineapple-flavoured soda, the track was an energetic pop-house hybrid that truly defined the VSCO-tinted finale of my teenagehood. Along with his bandmates, Minho, who appeared in a white cut-off tank and matching ripped skinny jeans was to blame for sending me into a style frenzy, hoping to fill up my wardrobe with pre-distressed faux college tees and biker jeans. A decade ago, he would be seen in a pinstripe suit for the band’s “1 of 1” music video; today, you would see him going viral for standing on a podium in a sweat-clad tank top after winning first place alongside Physical: 100 star Hong Beom-seok AIA Hyrox Singapore 2026. Less of a story about an idol-turned-athlete, Minho’s trajectory captures the spirit of never being still. 

For any other male star, to be spotted at every regional edition for the fitness race might come across disingenuous — a desperate attempt to stay relevant, or to appear more personable. Fans of Minho would know that athleticism has long been part of his public persona. “I know how good I feel after a workout, so I trust and hold on to that feeling. Even on days I don’t feel like going, I remind myself how much better I’d feel once I start,” he says. “Once I start moving — even just a little — everything kind of clicks. I’m like ‘alright, let’s do this. Let’s make today count.’ That keeps me going.” Between the 16-year-old teenager who debuted in 2008 and the version of him now, he does not observe a significant change in mindset. “I’ve always believed in staying true to where I started and giving my best in every moment. This is something I still hold on to today. Of course, with more experience and time, I’ve gotten more confident and refined — but I try not to settle.” 

Jacket, tank top, underwear, jeans, all Calvin Klein

Longtime Shawols will recognise that Minho has long adopted the MVP mindset from his participation in the Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC) back in 2011, a reality competition program for idols — again, circling back to the ENGSUB clips — that earned him the title of being one of the most decorated participants. Does performing on stage feel a lot like being an athlete? Would training for the stage and the competition arena be linked through mere correlation or causation? “There are definitely similarities and differences. Both require physical control and a high level of focus. On stage, I express my emotions and tell a story in my own way. When it comes to sports, it’s more about discipline and staying mentally grounded — this balance is where they differ.” 

Jacket, underwear, jeans, all Calvin Klein

Forward momentum, for Minho, is only meaningful when rest and recovery are involved. Across creating music, acting on stage, and beating records in an arena, rest comes as a form of reset. “When I take time off, I really try to switch off and give myself the space to recharge fully. This allows me to perform at my best when I return — be it on stage or in sports.” Even as he bears the endearing nickname of Flaming Charisma, he knows when to take it easy. “I usually recharge by spending time with people I trust. Just talking — whether I’m sharing what’s on my mind or getting someone else’s advice helps. It clears my mind, lifts my energy, and ends the day on a good note.” 

Hoodie, tank top, underwear, jeans, all Calvin Klein

In the process of writing this, I had played his last Korean single, “TEMPO”, back to back with “Replay” and was delighted to discover how cohesive they both sounded, albeit representing the extremities of his musical career. Progressing from a song about wooing an older crush to letting her take the lead in a relationship, he is not looking to push a vision of fragile machismo despite the conventionally masculine exterior. Sonically, he has gained stronger control of his baritone vocals, presenting a discography that is easy to approach, yet rich with emotions. “The most fulfilling part about creating ‘TEMPO’ was about finding a song that truly represents my colour and performing it. There’s something really special about being able to show who you clearly are as an artist, and that’s what made it so enjoyable for me.”  

Jacket, tank top, underwear, jeans, all Calvin Klein

​​Having debuted as a quintet, the spirit of collaboration has long been instilled into Minho’s creative process. It comes as no surprise that tracks like Because Of You, which features NINGNING from Aespa, have become fan favourites from his discography. Less of an attempt to outdo each other, their vocals — sublime, of course, by SM standards — impeccably layered to demonstrate the emotional restraint of a love lost. “Collaborating with other artists has always meant a lot to me. With NINGNING, our voices really clicked, and being able to perform the song together at SMTOWN LIVE made it even more special,” he gushed. 

Eighteen years into his career, it is safe to say that Minho has inspired generations — emphasis on plural — of new performers who have since made their mark in this behemoth of an industry. Do they ever come to him for advice? “Yes, from time to time. When they come to me, I try to keep it simple and share what I’ve learned through experience, hopefully pointing them towards the most direct path. I don’t think advice needs to be complicated to be meaningful.” Legacy, to him, looks like holding onto special moments in his career and continuing forward. “So these memories don’t fade, but rather keep shining in their own way,” Minho adds. 

T-shirt, jeans, all Calvin Klein

Across the many side quests he has embarked on, Minho does not consider them as phases to grow out of before moving to something else. “Lately, I’ve been thinking that maintaining and building on what I’ve already achieved is as important as taking on something new. But if something inspires me, I’ll always approach it with the same mindset — by giving it my all.” K-Pop has long evolved past its former façade into a completely different landscape since he was first introduced, but knowing that there lies a constant who continuously reinvents himself with the same underlying principles just goes to show that time will not displace him. Chances are, he will outrun time.  

Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah
Photographer Ki Wonyoung 
Videographer Hwang Sangjune 
On-Set Stylist Kim Wook
Fashion Coordination Manfred Lu
Make up Hyun Yunsu
Hair Kim Minyoung 
Casting & Production Kim Mikang

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our April 2026 issue.