SHINee and the “Sherlock” Comeback
In March 2012, SHINee released Sherlock, their first Korean release since the Lucifer album in October 2010. Sherlock was first released online worldwide on March 19 with the physical release two days later in Korea. The title track “Sherlock (Clue + Note)” is a hybrid of tracks “Clue” and “Note” from the same album, taking lyrics from both songs to create a single storyline with Sherlock solving a crime through “clues” and “notes.” The rest of the album includes the Korean version of “Stranger,” the main theme song for Strangers 6, “Honesty,” “Alarm Clock,” and “The Reason.” Jonghyun wrote the lyrics for “Alarm Clock” and “Honesty” while Minho is credited for penning raps in “Alarm Clock,” “Stranger,” and “Honesty.”
The Music Videos
The video for “Sherlock” opens with the five members sitting in their detective agency, waiting for a case. Eventually an envelope is snuck under their door and they begin the investigation. In between scenes of them looking for clues and being guided by Jessica from Girls’ Generation, they perform choreography created by Tony Testa, who would work with them again on the choreography for tracks “Dream Girl” and “Everybody.” At the end of the video, we see the members after solving the case, packing up the file and coming to the realization that the lady who helped them along the way was the ghost of the woman whose jewelry they found. The music video exceeded one million views in a day.
A dance version was released four days later, highlighting the incredible dancing skills of all five members and making it easy for any fans wanting to learn the choreography.
The Comeback Performances
The comeback performance for “Sherlock” opens with each of the members sitting in their own paintings before disappearing from the portraits to reappear on stage. The set has a similar vibe to it as the music video, with busts, antique light fixtures, and even a chandelier, bringing it all back to the museum setting of the video. There’s even a similar floor pattern on the stage to the one seen in the video. Each member wore the same outfits seen in a majority of the choreography shots from the main music video and in the dance version. And, yes, Taemin’s beautiful flowing locks were on display as well.
SHINee also promoted “Stranger” during this comeback. The five members wore a mix of loose fitting tops, leather jackets and vests, and studs in many forms (from Key’s gold studs on his hat to the studded Union Jack on Onew’s shirt and the massive studs on the sleeves of Taemin’s top) while performing in front of a much more simplistic set than the one used for the performance of “Sherlock.”
The Legacy
Sherlock peaked at No. 1 on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart and the Gaon Monthly Album Chart, No. 5 on the Gaon Yearly Album Chart and Billboard U.S. World Albums Chart, and No. 10 on the Billboard U.S. Heatseakers Albums Chart.
As for music show wins, “Sherlock” comes in third place as the SHINee track with the most wins with an impressive eight trophies to its name, coming just behind “Dream Girl” at 10 wins and “View” at nine. “Sherlock” earned two wins from Show Champion on March 27 and April 3; one win on M!COUNTDOWN on March 29; three wins from Inkigayo on April 1, April 8, and April 15; and two wins from Music Bank on April 6 and April 13.
At the end-of-year awards, Sherlock took home the “Album Bonsang” at the 2013 Golden Disc Awards and the “Bonsang Award” at the 2013 Seoul Music Awards. It also won two years after its release at the 2014 Red Dot Design Awards in Germany, getting the “Communication Design Award Package” along with their albums Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of You, Why So Serious? - The Misconceptions of Me, and The Misconceptions of Us. “Sherlock” was nominated for “Song of the Year” at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards but unfortunately didn’t win.
Eight years after its release, “Sherlock” still holds a special place in the hearts of Shawols. And thanks to rookie boy group ATEEZ performing their take on “Sherlock” on Music Bank in October 2019, the track has been reintroduced to a new generation of fans, showing that we can always, “give it up, give it up, give it up for SHINee.”