SHINee Member Onew Shares New Details About Upcoming Solo Album 'PERCENT'

SHINee vocalist Onew revealed new details about his highly anticipated second full-length solo album PERCENT, which is scheduled for release on July 15 at 6:00 p.m. KST, marking his first studio release in over two years, following his 2023 album Circle.

Griffin Entertainment, Onew's agency, announced that the singer participated in producing every track on the album, with the company adding that "he prepared this album to share his personal story as both an artist and producer." It comes approximately five months after his fourth mini-album CONNECTION, which was released in January 2025.

The tracklist for "PERCENT" features 11 songs, including the title track "Animals" and additional tracks titled "Silky," "Caffeine," "Marshmallow," "Confidence," "오래 OKㅋ," "Far Away," "MAD," "PERCENT (%)," "Epilogue," and "Happy Birthday." Onew has maintained his hands-on approach to songwriting, participating in the lyrical creation for the majority of the album's tracks.

The upcoming album's concept focuses on themes of completion and interconnectedness, with Onew exploring how individuals form complementary relationships with the countless experiences they encounter in life. Through PERCENT, the SHINee member captures what he describes as a record of the self that is "emptied, filled, and completed," emphasizing that no one can achieve 100% completeness alone.

Ahead of the album's main release, Onew pre-released the track "Confidence" on June 24, accompanied by a music video filmed in Los Angeles. The song carries a message about maintaining self-belief despite uncertainty, with Onew conveying comfort to fans about attitude over achievement and direction over results. The music video features Onew with a propeller strapped to his back, symbolizing his desire to fly and his persistence through repeated failures.

The promotional campaign for PERCENT has included various teasers, including a mysterious trailer titled "G" featuring Onew in a symbolic encounter with a mouse. Additional promotional content has revealed clue videos with words like "wilderness," "wildlife," "instinct," and "freedom," along with images of brains, heartbeats, and animals. An art spoiler for the title track "Animals" showcases an animated depiction of human evolution from primitive times to the present, with the letters spelling "ANIMALS" hidden throughout different historical periods.

Onew's musical approach on PERCENT spans various genres, from the smooth "Silky" and groovy "Caffeine" to the emotionally layered "Marshmallow" and the playful rock sound of "Far Away." The album includes experimental elements, with "PERCENT (%)" featuring unpredictable snare sounds, while tracks like "Epilogue" and "Happy Birthday" showcase Onew's sincerity and bright energy.

The album release will be accompanied by solo concerts, with performances scheduled in South Korea on August 2-3 and in Japan on October 3-5. Onew has also announced plans for a world tour, extending his reach to 16 cities globally. A pop-up store will launch simultaneously with the album release, providing fans with additional engagement opportunities.