On March 5 KST, following news of SHINee's Taemin's exclusive contract with SM Entertainment coming to an end, Onew is also reportedly poised to conclude his longstanding exclusive contract with SM Entertainment sometime in the first half of this year.

"We are currently exploring various possibilities for our future endeavors," shared a representative regarding Onew's departure from the agency.

Debuting as a member of SHINee back in 2008, Onew has been celebrated for his contributions to numerous hit songs including "Replay", "Ring Ding Dong", and "Sherlock".

In 2018, marking a decade since his debut, Onew ventured into the realm of solo artistry with his inaugural album 'Voice'. Balancing his solo pursuits with his commitments to SHINee, he maintained a busy schedule spanning Korea and Japan. Notably, he held his first solo concert in March of last year, connecting intimately with his devoted fanbase.

Despite plans for SHINee's 8th full-length album to commemorate their 15th debut anniversary, subsequent activities were halted due to Onew's declining physical health following his solo concert.