SHINee’s Key has successfully passed the practical exam for the Western Cuisine Technician certification, marking another milestone in his journey as a self-taught chef.

On March 25th, a video showing Key preparing for and taking the exam was uploaded to the official SHINee YouTube channel. The footage included everything from the moment he left for the test site to the emotional moment he checked the list of successful candidates.

At the filming location, Key checked the results with the staff and exclaimed, “I passed. I saw the two letters!” (referring to the Korean characters for "pass"). The staff congratulated him and asked for his score. Key, beaming with joy, replied, “The passing score is 60, and I got 76. My omelet score was really high, and I got full marks in both hygiene sections.”

He went on to share, “I got 25 points for the French onion soup, but 41 out of 45 for the cheese omelet,” and then jokingly asked, “So, does that mean everything except the soup was top-tier? What if I’m in the 0.0%?” The staff encouraged him, saying, “Your hygiene score is perfect, so that’s top 0%. You’re number one. And your omelet is also top-rated—another top 0%.”

Key had previously shared on MBC’s 'I Live Alone' in November that he was preparing for the Western Cuisine Technician certification through self-study. Although he initially failed the practical exam and expressed disappointment, he didn’t give up and took the test again, ultimately succeeding.

Fans who watched Key’s cooking journey praised his determination and effort. Comments included, “He took the exam at the same time as me—the menu was simple, but the grading was tough. It’s incredible that he passed,” and “Passing again through self-study is amazing and admirable.”

Key debuted with SHINee in 2008 and has been active across music, acting, and variety shows. He is currently a regular cast member on tvN’s 'Amazing Saturday – Doremi Market' and MBC’s 'I Live Alone', earning recognition as a multitalented entertainer.

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