“You really are special, Minho.”

****

Why hello there, Minho. I don’t know why I’m doing this in the first place when I could be meeting you in person. Oh right, Yoona. (Don’t tell her I said that, or she’ll kill me, I know it.) Don’t get me wrong, Minho, I do adore you (you’re my favourite dongsaeng, obviously), but I’d really much rather say all this in person. Anyway, before I get carried away, let’s get started, shall we?

You are such a frog, Minho. What with your bulging eyes and

Haha! Don’t mind that. You know noona adores you. (Yes, I do have to stress that.) Okay, let me seriously get started now. First off, Choi Minho, you are the best dance partner alive. Out of all the couple dances I’ve ever done, my best ones were with you. Remember the one at 100 Points out of 100? Remember the Juliette one, right at the end of your performance? (Oh by the way, I never got a chance to tell you, but your rapping for that was spectacular!) Remember the special stage for SNSD and SHINee? (And this I never had a chance to tell you too… running my hand up my leg was completely unnecessary, you douche. It was part of the routine but you didn’t actually have to do it!) Remember 1, 2 step? (Your rapping for that was amazing too!) All those dances really beat every dance I’ve ever had with any other partner. You really are special, Minho.

Which brings me to my next point, you blockhead. You are good at dancing and singing. You always complain to me how you’re not that good at it, or Jonghyun’s better at singing or that Taemin’s better at dancing. I can’t say I disagree because that would be lying, but listen, Minho, to get into SHINee you are every bit as talented as them. You listen to noona, right? And now she’s telling you that you are extremely talented. You can sing, dance, rap, act, play the piano… you call that not talented? Sometimes you’re such a blockhead, you know? (Insert face-palm here)

Thank you, Minho, for being such a great dongsaeng and helping me out with these dances, or perhaps all those times you handed me mineral water bottles during SMTown concerts or when you drop by our practice room. But keep it mind this is the only time I’m ever saying this and being this cheesy, because it’s your birthday. Apart from that, don’t expect me to repeat any part of this letter.

… What else do I need to say? Oh yes. Before I forget, I want to tell you something. Minho, you’re really becoming an adult now, and I’ve seen you grow up, even from your trainee years… You’ve changed a lot. But I hope our friendship remains stronger than ever. I don’t want you to change into a person that I don’t even recognize when I meet you in the future, okay? Respect your hyungs and noonas, and care for your dongsaengs. … I sound like a mother now, but I do feel like one sometimes. When I’m with you, of course, and even more so when I’m with the whole of SHINee.

Anyway, the few words that I cannot forget to say in this letter before I sign off…

Wait, what was it again?

… I’m kidding of course.

Happy birthday Choi Minho—stay cool.

Love,
The y black pearl noona,
Kwon Yuri.