K-pop star Shinee Taemin is reportedly leaving SM Entertainment after a decade of flourishing career with the music label. While SM Entertainment is yet to address officially, reports from Korean media claim the K-pop hitmaker is eyeing another label to join next.
Lee Tae-Min, better known as Taemin, debuted in SM Entertainment’s popular K-pop group SHINee in 2008 at 14. Since then, Taemin has become a household name in Korea and overseas, showing his charisma in singing, dancing, and live stage performances.
The 30-year-old hitmaker made his solo debut in 2016 with the album Press It. Under SM Entertainment, Taemin has released over seven extended plays, four studio albums, and several solo singles.
SHINee’s Taemin may not renew SM Entertainment’s contract, claims report
According to the latest Korean media reports, Taemin’s contract with SM Entertainment ends in 2024. The “Move” singer is reportedly planning not to renew his individual contract with SM Entertainment. Reports state that he is joining BPM (Big Planet Made) Entertainment.
BPM Entertainment released a statement after the initial reports: “Regarding recruiting Taemin into the company, we are currently in the midst of checking the facts internally.”
Taemin has stayed with SM Entertainment for over 16 years, achieving commercial milestones and several trophies for his solo music career. The singer won the 2020 Mnet Asia Music Awards “Favorite Dance Performance – Male Solo” trophy. Previously, he also snagged the Best Dance Performance – Solo award in the 2016 MAMA ceremony.
Along with awards, multiple albums and extended plays of Taemin ranked number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart (then named Gaon Album Chart). His debut album, Press It, sold over 129,030 units within the first week of domestic sales. It peaked at number one on the Circle Chart.
His last extended play, Guilty, sold over 279,853 copies in Korea, ranking at number 4 on the Circle chart.
After releasing his latest EP, Guilty, on October 2023, he held a solo concert at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. He became the first solo artist in history to have a standalone concert at the venue, which is one of the first multi-purpose arenas in South Korea.
