P R O L O G U E

"Boys," with a snap of his fingers, Manager Kim YoungMin immediately caught the attention of all five boys who turned their heads almost simultaneously to the familiar voice. It was as though they were merely SM robots programmed to understand instructions thrown upon them-nothing more. "Remember all that I've told you. Go through your lines once more. I want no slip-ups later on during the interview, you hear me?"

The five boys nodded their heads meekly. Haven't they already grown all too accustomed playing the role of perfect boys-next-door? Maybe it also came to a point whereby they have immersed themselves too deeply in the role that they start believing they were really impeccable. Flawless. All this was merely just a stage play cleverly scripted and designed by SME.

The sound of Manager Kim clearing his throat made the boys sit up ramrod straight, not daring to move an inch. Their nerves tensed and heartbeat quickened as they looked at each other. The reporter had arrived. They pushed their chairs back with as little noise as possible, stood and turned to face the reporter. Her face was a total blank. There was absolutely no spark in her eyes or even anything to indicate life in them. No expression. Nothing. It was hollow. Bowing politely, they said the all too familiar greeting. It was something which bonded all five of them together. It was something which gave them a reason to hold on till this very day. "Hello, we're shining SHINee!"

In response, the reporter gave a slight smile.

They took their seats in the large practice room, with a widescreen TV, coupled with a few stylists. The manager stood beside the boys and nodded, "You may begin."

Acknowledging his approval to continue, she took out a notepad and a pen. "It's a pleasure meeting you." She paused for a moment before she started. "So I would be asking you some simple questions and you just answer accordingly. You got that?"

The five boys nodded their heads in compliance.

"Good. Let's start, shall we?" She placed her notepad on her lap. "It's been 5 long years since your debut. How do you feel about coming this far?"

She looked over at Kim Jonghyun. He pushed his fringe away from his eyes and grinned. "I would really like to take this opportunity to thank SHINee World because without them, SHINee will not be able to make it this far. I feel this whole journey has been a wonderful one and I hope fans will be able to continue supporting us no matter what."

Manager Kim seemed pleased with the answer.

"How about you, Key?" Came the reporter's voice after she scribbled something onto the notepad.

"This has been an amazing 5 years! SHINee will continue to grow and work harder to show you a better SHINee in the future!" Key exclaimed.

Again, she started writing furiously on the notepad. "Alright. Next question then. How has SHINee made you grow as a person?"

Choi Minho shifted a little in his seat as he coughed slightly. "SHINee has definitely made me a stronger person. Although I did not have time to do the things I have always wanted to do such as soccer, SHINee has made me learn alot of things that I will treasure even after we head on to different paths in the later part of life."

"SHINee has made me appreciate music even more." Jonghyun said. "Lee Soo Man sunsaengnim has allowed me and the other members to take part in the album planning, he has given us room to grow and develop together. He has helped us a lot and we thank him for that."

"I see." The reporter mumbled, frowning. "Okay. There has been rumors going around about Sulli being Taemin's ideal girl. Is that true?"

The maknae, Lee Taemin, let out a soft giggle as he looked at the reporter with his laughing dark eyes. "During trainee days, I had already met Sulli. I only see her as a friend. Now that we're all in SM Town, I see her as family too!"

"Hmm..." the reporter said as she was writing away on the notepad. "Many netizens have said SHINee is the next DongBangShinKi. What are your thoughts to it? Especially since DongBangShinKi had disbanded 3 years ago due to legal problems with SME and the members decided this was the best thing to do."

The room was silent. Only the ticking of the clock at the far end could be heard.

"Onew?" She asked, breaking the rising tension that grew in the room.

The leader looked up from his feet, his hands tightly clasped together as though he were praying for a miracle. Any miracle. "I... er..."

The other four members were quiet. "I don't think we're good enough to replace DBSK sunbaenims. I am grateful how everyone thinks so highly of us. But they were a legend. So I don't think it is fair to say we're the next DBSK. DBSK is DBSK. They worked hard for where they were. I respected them a lot. In fact, all of us here, the five of us. We respected DBSK sunbaenims. Their perseverance to strive harder for fans make us feel ashamed of ourselves. Always keep the faith. That was their slogan."

The other members all started agreeing amongst themselves.

Onew took a deep breath before he began again. "They helped us a lot. They always looked out for us most of the time because we were the youngest group in SME then. My heart is very sorry yet thankful. I will never forget the support they have given to us. I wish them well with their current life now. Not to forget Super Junior sunbaenims for their hard work and effort... and SNSD sunbaenims who always cheered us on. Also there's f(x) who is still the youngest in the SM family and whom we encourage a lot. But then again, I have had enough of this kind of life. I realized I really need time alone. By myself."

He in cold air. A chill ran down his spine as he felt his manager's piercing stare penetrate through his clothes and bore right into his soul. He felt exposed. .

The four other members no longer looked down on the floor or at their feet. Their eyes were all on him, wide with amazement at their leader's answer. It wasn't rehearsed.

At that moment, the reporter who appeared a while ago to be emotionless suddenly leaned forward, very interested in what she was hearing.

"I had always loved music. It was something that came naturally to me. It helps get rid of all the frustration I had. But I am sorry. I cannot do it. I cannot put on a fake smile everyday and act like it's alright. I'm so tired. Sometimes I fear for myself. Where is the real Lee Jinki? I really don't know..." He turned to face his family. "To my four members whom I have been with and loved for the past 5 years, thanks for following a leader like hyung who lacks a lot. Even though I may not be the best leader, I have tried my best to care for every one of you. You have been the reason to why I love SHINee as a group and bothered staying on for this long."