ONEW
Velvety, jazz-tinged pop that feels like a warm embrace. Gentle rhythms and rich vocal textures for moments of quiet reflection and healing.
Velvety, jazz-tinged pop that feels like a warm embrace. Gentle rhythms and rich vocal textures for moments of quiet reflection and healing.
Onew's music is a masterclass in vocal texture, often described by fans as 'honey-like' for its smooth, viscous quality. While his work in SHINee showcased his power, his solo discography leans into a more organic, sophisticated palette. You'll hear a blend of warm acoustic instruments, tasteful jazz chords, and modern synth-pop flourishes that never feel rushed. It is music that prioritizes the 'breath' between notes, creating a sense of immense space and calm.
What truly sets him apart is his phrasing and the way he layers his own voice. He often uses his vocals as a secondary instrument, creating lush, choral-like backdrops that feel both intimate and expansive. There is a specific rhythmic playfulness in his more upbeat tracks, like 'Dice', where he dances around the beat with a light-footed grace, while his ballads like 'Circle' possess a heavy, grounded emotional weight that feels lived-in and sincere.
Start with the album 'Circle' to experience his most cohesive artistic statement. It moves from ambient, atmospheric openings to rich, full-band arrangements, perfectly capturing his ability to turn personal introspection into something that feels universal and deeply comforting.
Lee Jin-ki (Korean: 이진기; Korean pronunciation: [i.dʑin.ɡi]; born December 14, 1989), known professionally as Onew, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, and actor. Born in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Onew was discovered at the 2006 SM Academy Casting and signed a contract with SM Entertainment the day after his audition. He debuted as the lead vocalist and leader of the South Korean boy band Shinee in May 2008, who went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea. As a singer, he has participated in the original soundtracks for various TV series and released collaborations with various artists. He made his solo debut on December 5, 2018, with the release of his first extended play, Voice, five days before his military conscription on December 10, 2018. After finishing his military service, he released his second EP, Dice, on April 11, 2022, and later that year on July 6, he made his solo debut in Japan with the release of his first studio album, Life Goes On. He released his first Korean studio album, Circle, on March 6, 2023. He followed this with the release of his third EP, Flow, on September 3, 2024, and his fourth EP, Connection, on January 6, 2025. He released his second Korean studio album, Percent, on July 15, 2025, and his second Japanese EP, Saku, on October 1, 2025. Onew has also contributed to songwriting for both himself and Shinee. As an actor, Onew was cast in multiple musicals, such as Rock of Ages (2010), Shinheung Military Academy (2019), and Midnight Sun (2021–2022) and participated in various television dramas, mostly known for the roles of Baek Su in JTBC's sitcom Welcome to Royal Villa and the cardiothoracic resident Lee Chi-hoon in the popular KBS2 drama Descendants of the Sun (2016).
Shares studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style); contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style)
Shares contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style)
Shares studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style); contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style); contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style); contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares contemporary r&b, synth-pop, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, analog warmth, minimalist (production style)
Shares studio polished, analog warmth, orchestral arrangement (production style); jazz fusion, synth-pop, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares contemporary r&b, synth-pop, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, analog warmth, minimalist (production style)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →
