SHINee’s Onew returns after seven months with the single “Illusion,” showcasing varied genres, collaborations, and his growing artistry.
October/21/2026 18:44
SHINee’s Onew has returned, bringing even more diverse musical charm. On the 20th at 6 p.m., Onew released the audio for all the songs from his new single “Illusion” and the music video for the title track of the same name through various music streaming sites. Onew, who released his 5th mini album “TOUGH LOVE” in March, has unveiled a new song for the first time in about seven months. With a new song that stands out for his signature refreshing vocals, he is expected to stir listeners’ hearts this autumn. This new work, “Illusion,” is a piece that expresses, through a variety of genres and moods, the nuances of various emotions that arise in the process of different interpretations being created by different people even when they see the same thing and experience the same thing. In particular, Onew has shown his musical confidence by placing three songs as title tracks in this single. The album’s completeness was enhanced by including the main title track “Illusion,” as well as “Mind Games,” which features an attractive vocal back-and-forth with former GFRIEND member Yuju, and “Tic Tac Toe,” which features Block B’s Zico. The main title track “Illusion,” released that day, is a song that humorously depicts the story of finding meaning in the other person’s small actions and, while moving back and forth between reality and imagination, eventually becoming immersed in one’s own sweet conviction. A smooth melody is harmonized with the powerful and dynamic rhythm characteristic of UK Garage, further bringing out the song’s emotional expression in a more three-dimensional way. It is also a song completed through direct communication with famous overseas composers, and Onew himself participated in writing and composing, putting his sincere feelings into the song. The music video released at the same time draws viewers in with its witty direction. In a calm filming set, Onew’s 모습 as he enjoys a perfect and happy day more than anyone else is endearing. However, an unexpected development is added when Onew, who is checking the edited footage after filming, is faced with a “truth” completely different from his own experience, making it a work that can be enjoyed both as a song and as a music video. In this way, Onew, who has grown as a singer-songwriter through the production of his solo albums, fully demonstrated his diverse musicality in this album by challenging various genres, collaborations, and outstanding producing ability.
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