{{use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox album | name = Sherlock | type = EP | artist = Shinee | cover = Shineesherlockkorea.jpg | caption = Digital cover | alt = | released = {{Start date|2012|03|19}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = *SM Concert Hall (Seoul) *SM Yellow Tail (Seoul) | genre = K-pop | length = 25:37 | language = Korean | label = SM | prev_title = The First | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = Boys Meet U | next_year = 2013 | misc = {{Singles | name = Sherlock | type = EP | single1 = Sherlock (Clue + Note) | single1date = March 19, 2012 }} {{External music video|type= EP|{{YouTube|8kyG5tTZ1iE|"Sherlock (Clue + Note)"}}}} }}
'''''Sherlock''''' is the fourth EP of the South Korean boy group Shinee. The EP consists of seven tracks, including the title song "Sherlock (Clue + Note)", a "hybrid remix" of two songs. It was released on March 19, 2012, under the label SM Entertainment. It was Shinee's first Korean release after a year and six months hiatus.
The EP was commercially successful, charting at number one on the Gaon Album Chart. It was the fifth best-selling album of the year in South Korea, with over 180,000 copies sold. It also placed tenth on the ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Albums and fifth on the ''Billboard'' World Albums charts.
==Composition== The EP consists of seven songs in a variety of styles. The lead single, "Sherlock (Clue + Note)", is a "hybrid remix", which means it consists of two independent songs ("Clue" and "Note") remixed together to create a new song. The lyrics describe Sherlock's solving of a crime through logical "clues" and intuitive "notes". The title song combines the lyrics from the two songs to create a single storyline.<ref name=enews1>{{cite news|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4244/shinee-will-release-sherlock-in-march|title=Shinee's 'Sherlock' to be a Hybrid Remix|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|last=Lee|first=Dong-hyun|translator-last=Kim|translator-first=Erika|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224204905/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4244/shinee-will-release-sherlock-in-march|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Honesty" was written by member Jonghyun and expresses the group's appreciation towards their fans. "The Reason" features a guitar solo and strings, while "Alarm Clock" was also written by Jonghyun and tells about a man who wants to wake up from the nightmares of a breakup. Minho participated in composing the rap.<ref name=newsen/> "Stranger", the main theme song of ''Strangers 6'', has a melody composed by Kenzie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4584/shinee-on-m-countdown|title=Shinee to Perform 'Sherlock' and 'Stranger' on 'M Countdown'|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|last=Park|first=Hyun-min|translator-last=Lee|translator-first=Ju-ahn|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=6 June 2013|archive-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224200655/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4584/shinee-on-m-countdown|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=newsen>{{cite news|first=Su-bin|last=Kwon|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201203161013291002&search=title&searchstring=%BB%FE%C0%CC%B4%CF|script-title=ko:샤이니 '셜록' 공개임박, 종현 작사-민호 랩메이킹 멤버참여도↑|trans-title=Shinee's 'Sherlock' will be released soon with increased participation from the members, including Jonghyun's lyrics and Minho's rap-making|date=March 16, 2012|access-date=March 19, 2012|work=Newsen|language=ko|archive-date=July 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722223021/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201203161013291002&search=title&searchstring=%BB%FE%C0%CC%B4%CF|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Artwork and packaging== The packaging for ''Sherlock'' contains six booklets: one for each member and another containing the CD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/009/0002703289?sid=103|script-title=ko:음반, 고급스럽고 화려해졌다|trans-title=The album has become luxurious and splendid|work=Maeil Business Newspaper|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Seon-hee|date=April 29, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref><ref name="reddot">{{cite web|url=http://red-dot.de/cd/en/online-exhibition/work/?code=04-00890&y=2014&c=188&a=0|title= Shinee – Sherlock (Music Packaging)|publisher=Red Dot|access-date=2014-08-18|date=17 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821153107/http://red-dot.de/cd/en/online-exhibition/work/?code=04-00890&y=2014&c=188&a=0|archive-date=21 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The album artwork was revealed sequentially from March 8, starting with photos of a half-naked Minho as a "French boy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4123/shinee-to-comeback-soon|title=Shinee To Comeback in Korea with 'Sherlock'|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|last=Kim|first=Ji-yeon|translator-last=Lee|translator-first=Ju-ahn|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031190656/http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4123/shinee-to-comeback-soon|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000168669|script-title=ko:샤이니 민호가 벗었다|trans-title=Shinee's Minho took off his clothes|work=Sports Kyunghyang|last=Kang|first=Ju-il|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref> The photoshoot drew attention for its use of nudity and suggestive poses,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4162/shinee-member-taemins-teaser-photos-released|title=Shinee Drops More Clues With Taemin's Teaser Photos|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|last=Lee|first=Nancy|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031194444/http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4162/shinee-member-taemins-teaser-photos-released|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0002316023|script-title=ko:'상반신 노출' 샤이니, 컴백 앞두고 소년에서 남자로|trans-title='Upper body exposure' Shinee, from boy to man ahead of comeback|work=Osen|via=Naver|last=Hwang|first=Mi-hyun|date=March 12, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref> as well as Shinee's skinny, "almost prepubescent" bodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4215/has-shinees-minho-been-skipping-a-few-meals|title=What Happened to the Once Muscular Frame of Shinee's Minho?|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|last=Ho|first=Stewart|date=March 12, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023162219/http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/4215/has-shinees-minho-been-skipping-a-few-meals|archive-date=October 23, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The members dieted for two weeks before the photoshoot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000118128|script-title=ko:'연예가중계' 샤이니 컴백 밀착 취재, 연습실 현장 단독 공개|trans-title='Entertainment Weekly': Close coverage of Shinee's comeback, exclusively revealing the practice room|work=Xports News|via=Naver|last=Won|first=Min-sun|date=March 23, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref> Shinee stated that the aim was to show the bodyline, and bright lighting was used to obscure their muscles. Despite this, Jonghyun's muscles were still visible and had to be digitally removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000037550|script-title=ko:샤이니 종현, 근육이 드래곤볼 수준? "CG로 지울정도"|trans-title=Shinee's Jonghyun's muscles are like Dragon Ball? "To the point of erasing with CG."|work=Sports Dong-a|via=Naver|date=March 26, 2023|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref> The photoshoot was controversial for its sexual nature,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/40720/1/shinee-10-year-anniversary-retrospective|title=Looking back at K-pop group Shinee's extraordinary 10-year career|website=Dazed|last=Glasby|first=Taylor|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> with some fans accusing creative director Min Hee-jin of promoting shotacon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2022072637704|script-title=ko:'민희진' 이름표 단 뉴진스, 르세라핌 넘어 하이브 대표 걸그룹 넘보나[TEN피플]|website=Ten Asia|last=Kim|first=Seo-yun|date=July 28, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref> In an interview with KBS program ''Entertainment Weekly'', Taemin commented that he wanted to look like an adult, but his body resembled that of a child instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0002671294|script-title=ko:태민 자기자랑 "제가 원래 얼굴이 예뻐요"|trans-title=Taemin boasts, "I have a pretty face."|work=Maeil Business Newspaper|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Na-rae|date=March 24, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2023|language=ko}}</ref>
==Release and promotion== ''Sherlock'' was Shinee's first Korean release after a year-and-a-half hiatus since the reissue ''Hello''. The EP was digitally released on March 19, 2012, and physically released on March 21.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carla|last=Sunwoo|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2949788|title=Shinee to release track list of new album 'Sherlock' next week|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722205413/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2949788|archive-date=July 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mwave nancy">{{cite news|first=Nancy|last=Lee|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4446/shinee-no1-on-music-charts|title=Shinee Records All-Kill on Music Charts with Comeback Album|date=March 19, 2012|work=CJ E&M enewsWorld|via=Mwave|access-date=April 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224150651/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/4446/shinee-no1-on-music-charts|archive-date=December 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 22, 2012, the group started their official promotions and performed the title song for the first time on ''M Countdown''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carla|last=Sunwoo|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2950099|title=Shinee receives warm welcome back|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=March 20, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722205751/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2950099|archive-date=July 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by appearances on other South Korean music programs such as ''Inkigayo'' and ''Music Bank''.<ref name="mwave nancy"/>
The music video for the title song was released on March 22. It was directed by Cho Su-hyun and shot in early March at the studios in Namyangju. Shinee can be seen in an 1800s-like museum acting like detectives working on a case. Girls’ Generation's Jessica makes a special appearance in the music video as a mysterious female lead who offers a decisive clue in figuring out the incident.<ref>{{cite news|first=Su-bin|last=Kwon|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201203221021151002&code=100200|script-title=ko:샤이니 '셜록' 뮤비 오늘(22일) 드디어 공개, 소시 제시카 특별출연|trans-title=Shinee's 'Sherlock' music video is finally released today (22nd), featuring a special appearance by Girls' Generation's Jessica|work=Newsen|language=ko|date=March 22, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722214141/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201203221021151002&code=100200|archive-date=July 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Commercial performance and reception== thumb|right|240px|Shinee performing "Sherlock (Clue + Note)" at the MBC Korean Music Wave in Bangkok on March 16, 2013 The EP sold over 135,000 copies at release and ranked number one on the Gaon Album Chart, making it the best-selling release of March 2012.<ref name="gaon monthly">{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=03&hitYear=2012&termGbn=month|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222310/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=03&hitYear=2012&termGbn=month|title=Gaon Album Chart – March 2012|website=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko|archive-date=2016-03-03|access-date=2015-04-27}}</ref> It was the fifth best-selling album of the year in South Korea, with over 180,000 copies sold.<ref name="gaon 2012">{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/album.php?f_type=year&f_year=2012&f_month=3&f_week=&f_chart_kind_cd=K|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008183130/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/album.php?f_type=year&f_year=2012&f_month=3&f_week=&f_chart_kind_cd=K|title=Gaon 2012 Album Chart|website=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko|archive-date=2014-10-08|access-date=2015-04-27}}</ref> It placed at number five on the ''Billboard'' World Albums chart and number ten on the ''Billboard'' Heatseekers chart.<ref name="heatseekers">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shinee/chart-history/tln/|title=Shinee Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=November 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118022815/https://www.billboard.com/artist/shinee/chart-history/tln/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shinee/chart-history/wlp/|title=Shinee Chart History (World Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117210259/https://www.billboard.com/artist/shinee/chart-history/wlp/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April, the group won first place for two consecutive weeks on ''Music Bank'' and three times on ''Inkigayo''. Shinee performed their final music stage on MBC's ''Music Core'' on April 21, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiatoday.co.kr/view.php?key=625630|script-title=ko:샤이니, '셜록' 이번주 활동 마감…日 아레나 투어 돌입|date=April 16, 2012|trans-title=Shinee wrap up promotions for 'Sherlock' this week and embark on a Japanese arena tour|work=Asia Today|last=Moon|first=Yeon-bae|language=ko|access-date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722215939/http://www.asiatoday.co.kr/view.php?key=625630|archive-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref>
Hwang Sun-up of ''IZM'' magazine gave the EP 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising the experimental attempt to create the title track "Sherlock" by mixing up "Clue" and "Note" as well as the lyrics for each song. However, he was disappointed with the remaining songs on the EP, stating these feel more ordinary compared to the impact of the first three tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=23811&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902171212/http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=23811&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1|title=Sherlock|work=IZM|date=March 2012|language=ko|archive-date=September 2, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2017|last=Hwang|first=Sun-up}}</ref>
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Awards and nominations for ''Sherlock'' ! scope="col" | Ceremony ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Golden Disc Awards | style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 2013 | Disc Bonsang | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kpopwave.joinsmsn.com/awards/27goldendisk/en/nominate.aspx?ptab_idx=4&pr_idx=rookie&#main_menu|title=Golden Disk Awards, the 27th winners|website=Golden Disc Awards|access-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206003939/http://kpopwave.joinsmsn.com/awards/27goldendisk/en/nominate.aspx?ptab_idx=4&pr_idx=rookie&|archive-date=February 6, 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> |- | Disc Daesang | {{nom}} |- ! scope="row" | Red Dot Design Award | style="text-align:center" | 2014 | Communication Design – Music Packaging | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" | <ref name="reddot"/> |}
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Sherlock'' track listing | extra_column = Arrangement | total_length = 25:37
| title_width = 25% | lyrics_width = 20% | music_width = 30% | extra_width = 25%
| title1 = Sherlock (Clue + Note) | note1 = {{Korean|labels=no|hangul=셜록|rr=Syeollok}} | lyrics1 = Jo Yoon-kyung | music1 = {{hlist|Thomas Troelsen|Rufio Sandilands (Pegasus)|Rocky Morris (Pegasus)|Thomas Eriksen}} | extra1 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Pegasus|Eriksen}} | length1 = 3:57
| title2 = Clue | lyrics2 = Jo | music2 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Eriksen}} | extra2 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Eriksen}} | length2 = 3:37
| title3 = Note | lyrics3 = Jo | music3 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Sandilands|Morris}} | extra3 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Pegasus}} | length3 = 2:46
| title4 = Alarm Clock | note4 = {{Korean|labels=no|hangul=알람시계|rr=Allamsigye}} | lyrics4 = {{hlist|Jonghyun|Minho{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | music4 = {{hlist|Niara Scarlett|Philippe-Marc Anquetil (BNA Productions)|Christopher Lee-Joe (BNA Productions)|Iain James}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Scarlett|BNA Productions|James}} | length4 = 3:59
| title5 = The Reason | lyrics5 = Kwak So-young | music5 = Sim Eun-jee | extra5 = {{ill|Yoo Han-jin|ko|유한진}} | length5 = 4:17
| title6 = Stranger (Korean Version) | note6 = {{Korean|labels=no|hangul=낯선자|rr=Natseonja}} | lyrics6 = {{hlist|{{ill|Kim Jeong-bae|ko|김정배 (음악가)}}|Minho{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | music6 = Kenzie | extra6 = Kenzie | length6 = 3:13
| title7 = Honesty | note7 = {{Korean|labels=no|hangul=늘 그 자리에|rr=Neul Geu Jari-e}} | lyrics7 = {{hlist|Jonghyun|Minho{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | music7 = Brandon Fraley | extra7 = Fraley | length7 = 3:52 }}
;Notes *<sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup> Minho is credited for writing the rap lyrics.
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
=== Weekly charts === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''Sherlock'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2012) ! scope="col" | Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2012-04-09/more/3/|script-title=ja:2012年03月26日～2012年04月01日のCDアルバム週間ランキング|trans-title=Weekly CD album ranking from March 26, 2012, to April 1, 2012|publisher=Oricon|access-date=April 23, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023120322/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2012-04-09/more/3/|archive-date=October 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 13 |- ! scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Gaon)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=13&hitYear=2012&termGbn=week|title=Gaon Album Chart – Week 13, 2012|website=Gaon Music Chart|access-date=December 18, 2025|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705215910/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=13&hitYear=2012&termGbn=week|archive-date=July 5, 2016}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row" | UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25338/shinee|title=Shinee Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=July 6, 2023|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630172124/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25338/shinee|url-status=live}}</ref> | 18 |- ! scope="row" | US Heatseekers Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="heatseekers"/> | 10 |- ! scope="row" | US World Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="billboard"/> | 5 |}
===Monthly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Monthly chart performance for ''Sherlock'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2012) ! scope="col" | Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Gaon)<ref name="gaon monthly"/> | 1 |} {{col-2}}
=== Year-end charts === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Sherlock'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| South Korea (Gaon)<ref name="gaon 2012"/> | 5 |- |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release history and formats for ''Sherlock'' ! Region ! Date ! Format ! Label |- ! scope="row"| Various | March 19, 2012 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|SM Entertainment|KT Music}} |- ! scope="row"| South Korea | March 21, 2012 | CD |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kyG5tTZ1iE&feature=g-all-a&context=G2824931FAAAAAAAARAA "Sherlock (Clue + Note)" Music Video] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8VRaGe3Cqs&list=PLC351FEFA5FF7D16A&index=1&feature=plpp_video "Sherlock (Clue + Note)" Dance Version]
{{Shinee}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Shinee EPs Category:SM Entertainment EPs Category:2012 EPs Category:Korean-language EPs Category:2010s Korean-language albums