There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” features, I can average their ratings into one mega-score and place them in a pantheon alongside other acts.
As always, this feature has some rules of its own. I’m including any “Song Review” ratings as part of this graph, including Japanese releases and collaborations with one other artist. I’m not including Buried Treasures or solo/sub-unit releases. For the ratings themselves, I’m using the most current number on this blog, so if a song was part of a “Risers and Fallers” or “Legendary Songs Inauguration” post, that’s the rating you’ll see displayed here. That means there will still be a few ratings here and there I find slightly inaccurate, but it’ll mostly reflect my up-to-date feelings.
Finally, these scores are completely subjective. Feel free to agree, disagree and argue (that’s part of the fun!), but know that this chart reflects the opinion of only one person (me).
Check out SHINEE’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!
SHINEE: A Career In Song Ratings
The Breakdown
Highest Rated Songs
Replay, Lucifer, Sherlock (Clue + Note), Dream Girl, Why So Serious?, Everybody, View, Married To The Music, Kimi No Seide, Atlantis
Lowest Rated Songs
Imperial Phases
Replay -> Tell Me What To Do (2008-2016)
Get The Treasure -> The Feeling (2017-2023)
Slump Phases
None
Rating Average: 9.00
Overall Trendline:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
One of the most solid singles run in kpop, I have been HOOKED to their discography lately 😭
Ngl, I didn’t expect Ring Ding Dong to be rated so high but it’s just so oddly fascinating and ridiculous, you can’t even hate it 😭 it’s a nightmare to play on Superstar SMTOWN though
I have yet to listen to their JP discography but judging by your ratings, I must be missing out lol. I hope their comeback doesn’t disappoint so they maintain this average 🤞
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Also, it’s random, but what are your thoughts on I Really Want You now? You mentioned how you nearly gave it a 10 but wanted to see if it’ll get there for you over time, so is it still a 9.75 or did it change?
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I honestly haven’t listened to that song in ages so I’d have to get back into it to let you know!
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I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a SHINee single. Kings of kpop frfr. Another artist with great B-sides, too!
T5 in no particular order:
Sherlock
Replay (replay, replay)
Lucifer
View
Everybody
And since I forgot to comment on the SNSD one, I’ll list my T5 here for my ults, also in no particular order:
Genie
Paparazzi
Flower Power
INTW
All Night
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my kings
they (almost) never miss
I’m do excited for their comeback
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Thanks, Nick😭🙏🙏🙏
I was like, I’m sure he’s going to do this when they drop their comeback next month. 😂😂
I’m so happy they got an outstanding rating from you.
I personally would give all singles from The Story of Light a 10 because they always hit my heartstrings.
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Except for Hard they have never disappointed me! They truly are my ultimate group!
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SHINee fans brag about their group like another rating in the 8’s won’t send them back to the low-income tier….
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I love SHINee, this comment was just in reference to that LowTierGod meme.
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Shineeeee!!! I’ve been waiting for this one 🙏 Replay to Tell Me What to Do is an INSANE imperial phase. That’s basically 10 years of flawless music. I would rank Winter Wonderland and Hard higher so my imperial phase would probably be the entire thing LOL 😭 I agree with all the tens but would probably add Juliette and Tell Me What to Do. Can’t wait for the comeback!!
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Fantastic b-sides all throughout their career as well. I’ve been re-listening to the Odd/Married to the Music album lately…so freaking good. Possibly THE summer album? My favorite Shinee b-sides ever though are Heart Attack, Beautiful, and Picasso. Pop perfection
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I want to thank you for doing all this and for free! It’s cool that you manage to post 3-4 every single day in such a short timeframe.
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Kings of Kpop. For me “Lucifer” is the best kpop song of all kpop. I know Nick puts Infinite “The Chaser” on top, but for me “Lucifer” is the better song. This praise coming from an ELF – Super Junior being more like the Uncles of Kpop.
Jonghyun ❤ forever
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