MINHO Explores Love and Separation on Second Mini-Album 'Make it hot'

SHINee’s MINHO is returning with his second mini-album, 'Make it hot,' which will be released on September 7 at 6 PM. The six-track album includes the title track of the same name and explores a range of emotions extending from the beginning of love to separation and the memories that remain afterward.

One of the album’s B-side tracks, 'Liquid (Feat. BELLE of KISS OF LIFE),' is a pop dance song built around an addictive synth melody and rhythmic bass. Its dreamy yet refreshing sound accompanies lyrics about two people gradually becoming deeply connected. The contrasting vocal colors of MINHO and BELLE add another layer to the song’s vivid atmosphere.

MINHO has previously worked with a variety of featured artists on songs including 'Because Of You (Feat. NINGNING of aespa),' 'FIREWORKS (Feat. SOHEE of RIIZE),' 'Runaway (Feat. GEMINI),' and 'Waterfall (Feat. Lim Kim).' His collaboration with BELLE continues that approach while introducing a new vocal combination to his solo discography.

Another B-side, 'Ending Scene,' is a medium-tempo R&B song combining an emotional guitar riff, acoustic-textured percussion, and synthesizers. The lyrics capture the end of a long and familiar relationship, as two people decide to let each other go without holding on to lingering feelings. MINHO’s restrained vocals deepen the song’s sense of quiet separation.

'Love Me Now' takes a different musical direction as an Afro-house-based dance track driven by a fluid rhythm and polished groove. Rather than trying to recover a relationship that has already ended, the song portrays someone looking back on memories of a past love and allowing them to pass with a smile.

Together, 'Liquid,' 'Ending Scene,' and 'Love Me Now' form an emotional progression from falling in love to accepting a breakup and finally remembering that relationship from a distance. New teaser images released through SHINee’s official social media accounts on August 27 show MINHO against a sunset island backdrop, visually introducing the warm and reflective atmosphere of the album.