Don't Call Me (Shinee song)

"Don't Call Me" is a song by South Korean boy band Shinee. It was released on February 22, 2021, through SM Entertainment and served as the lead single for the album of the same name. "Don't Call Me" was written by Kenzie, Dem Jointz and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, and produced by Dem Jointz, Yoo Young-jin, Kenzie, Ryan S. Jhun and Robbin. It was the group's first single since members Onew, Key and Minho returned from the military.

"Don't Call Me"
iScreaM Vol. 7: Don't Call Me Remixes cover
Single by Shinee
from the album Don't Call Me
Language	Korean
Released	February 22, 2021
Genre	Hip hop dance
Length	3:40
Label	SM Dreamus
Songwriter(s)	Kenzie Dem Jointz Rodnae "Chikk" Bell
Producer(s)	Dem Jointz Yoo Young-jin Kenzie Ryan S. Jhun Robbin
Shinee singles chronology
"Countless" (2018) "Don't Call Me" (2021) "Atlantis" (2021)
Music video
"Don't Call Me" on YouTube

Background

Following the release of Shinee's sixth studio album, The Story of Light, in 2018, the group took a three-year hiatus as members Onew, Key and Minho enlisted in the military to complete their mandatory service. Upon their return, SM Entertainment announced that Shinee would release a new album, titled Don't Call Me, fronted by the single of the same name.^[1] The song was originally intended for their labelmate BoA and favoured by company founder Lee Soo-man, who provided the group with guidance throughout the production process.^[2] Shinee considered a number of songs as lead single, but selected "Don't Call Me" because they felt it was different from what they had done before and left a strong impact.^[2][3] They also wanted a more performance-driven song.^[4]

Composition

"Don't Call Me" is a hip hop-inspired dance song which warns an ex-lover against calling following a betrayal.^[3] The lyrics, penned by Kenzie, express deep contempt towards their obsessive behaviour. The song incorporates 808 bass sounds, dark synths and heavy beats.^[5] In the latter part of the song, there is a piano section.^[6]

Release and promotion

Teaser images and videos were released beginning February 9, 2021.^[7] The group also set up a hotline where fans could listen to messages recorded by the members and leave their own messages in turn; however, the server crashed due to the overwhelming number of calls.^[2] Shinee previewed the song on the variety show Knowing Bros ahead of its release.^[8] "Don't Call Me" was released on February 22, 2021, alongside its music video and album.^[1] Shinee performed the song for the first time on M Countdown on February 25.^[9] Two remixes of "Don't Call Me" by Fox Stevenson and ESAI were released on March 27 through ScreaM Records.^[10] A Japanese version of the song was later included on Shinee's first Japanese extended play, Superstar.^[11]

Reception

"Don't Call Me" on critic lists

Publication	List	Rank	Ref.
Paper	The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021	12	^[12]
PhilStar Life	21 K-pop title tracks that defined 2021	18	^[13]
Rolling Stone Korea	The 10 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021	9	^[5]
The National	The best K-pop songs of 2021	Placed	^[14]
Teen Vogue	The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021	Placed	^[15]
Young Post	15 Best K-pop Songs of 2021	4	^[16]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Don't Call Me"

Ceremony	Year	Category	Result	Ref.
Gaon Chart Music Awards	2022	Song of the Year – February	Won	^[17]
Golden Disc Awards	2022	Digital Bonsang	Nominated	^[18]
Mnet Asian Music Awards	2021	Song of the Year	Nominated	^[19]
		Best Dance Performance – Male Group	Nominated

Music program awards for "Don't Call Me"

Program	Date	Ref.
Show Champion	March 3, 2021	^[20]
	March 10, 2021	^[21]
M Countdown	March 4, 2021	^[22]
	March 11, 2021	^[23]
Show! Music Core	March 6, 2021	^[24]
Inkigayo	March 7, 2021	^[25]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Don't Call Me.^[26]

Recording

• Recorded and mixed at SM Blue Cup Studio
• Recorded, digitally edited and engineered for mix at SM Big Shot Studio
• Mastered at 821 Sound Mastering

Personnel

• Shinee – vocals, background vocals
• Kenzie – lyrics, composition, arrangement, directing
• Dem Jointz – composition, arrangement
• Rodnae "Chikk" Bell – composition
• Yoo Young-jin – arrangement, background vocals
• Ryan S. Jhun – arrangement
• Robbin – arrangement
• Jeong Eui-seok – recording, mixing
• Lee Min-gyu – recording, digital editing, engineering for mix
• Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for "Don't Call Me"

Chart (2021)	Peak position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)^[27]	98
South Korea (Gaon)^[28]	3
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)^[29]	7
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[30]	8

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Don't Call Me"

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	February 22, 2021	Digital download streaming	Korean	SM Dreamus	^[31]
	March 27, 2021		Remixes	SM ScreaM	^[10]
	June 28, 2021		Japanese	EMI	^[32]

References

1. Yeo, Brenan (February 22, 2021). "K-pop legends Shinee return with first album in three years, 'Don't Call Me'". NME. from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
2. Assis, Tássia (February 23, 2021). "Seven Things We Learned About Shinee's New Album 'Don't Call Me'". Clash. from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
3. Hwang, You-mee (February 22, 2021). "[Today's K-pop] Shinee returns stronger than ever". The Korea Herald. from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
4. Benjamin, Jeff (February 23, 2021). "Shinee Return To Form With 'Don't Call Me' Comeback Album: 'These Are Our Natural Selves'". Forbes. from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
5. Mulenga, Natasha (December 30, 2021). "The 10 Best K-pop Songs of 2021". Rolling Stone Korea (in Korean). from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
6. Bell, Crystal (December 31, 2021). "The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021". Paper. from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
7. Ji, Min-kyung (February 6, 2021). '컴백' 샤이니, 정규 7집 'Don't Call Me' 티저 타임 테이블 공개 ['Comeback': The teaser timetable for Shinee's seventh studio album 'Don't Call Me' has been released]. Osen (in Korean). from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
8. Lee, I-jin (February 20, 2021). 샤이니, 3년 만에 완전체 출격…신곡 '돈 콜 미' 최초 공개 (아는 형님) [종합] [Shinee's first group comeback in three years... New song 'Don't Call Me' is revealed for the first time (Knowing Bros)]. Xports News (in Korean). from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Naver.
9. Jang, Woo-young (February 25, 2021). '엠카' 강다니엘, 청하 꺾고 1위 "다니티 덕분"…샤이니·선미 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown': Kang Daniel beats Chungha to first place, "thanks to Danity"... Shinee and Sunmi come back]. Chosun (in Korean). from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
10. Lee, Jae-hoon (March 27, 2021). 샤이니 '돈트 콜 미', EDM 리믹스로 재탄생 [Shinee's 'Don't Call Me' reborn as EDM remix]. Newsis (in Korean). from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
11. "SHINeeが会見場に乗り込む!? 新作『SUPERSTAR』ジャケ写&収録内容公開" [Shinee enters the press conference hall!? New 'Superstar' jacket photo and contents released]. Oricon (in Japanese). June 24, 2021. from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
12. Bell, Crystal (December 31, 2021). "The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021". Paper. from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
13. Mallorca, Hannah (December 23, 2021). "21 K-pop title tracks that defined 2021". The Philippine Star L!fe. from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
14. Abdullahi, Thoraya (December 24, 2021). "The best K-pop songs of 2021: from 'LaLisa' to 'Butter'". The National. from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
15. "The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021". Teen Vogue. December 17, 2021. from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
16. Tamang, Angelika; Mook, Janice; Lu, Clara Ki (December 20, 2021). "15 best K-pop songs of 2021: BTS' Butter, Lisa's Lalisa, IU's Celebrity, Itzy's Loco and more". Young Post. from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
17. Hwang, Mi-hyun (January 27, 2022). 샤이니, 2021년 2월 올해의가수상 수상 "팬들 고마워" [가온차트뮤직어워즈] [Shinee won the February 2021 Artist of the Year Award. "Thanks to the fans." [Gaon Chart Music Awards]]. News1 (in Korean). from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Naver.
18. "Nominees – Digital Song Division". Golden Disc Awards. from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
19. "Nominees – 2021 MAMA". Mwave. from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
20. Ha, Ji-won (March 3, 2021). '샤이니, 컴백 후 영광의 1위…온앤오프·위아이·원호 컴백 (쇼챔피언) [종합] [Shinee wins first place after their comeback...ONF, WEi and Wonho have comebacks (Show Champion)]. Xports News (in Korean). from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
21. Kang, Min-kyung (March 10, 2021). '쇼챔' 샤이니, 출연 없이 1위+음악방송 5관왕 달성 [종합] [Shinee wins first place on 'Show Champion' without appearing and takes fifth win on music shows overall]. Star News (in Korean). from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
22. Jung, Ji-hyun (March 4, 2021). '엠카' 샤이니, 1위 등극…故 종현 언급 "아직 빈자리 커, 보고 싶고 그립다" 뭉클 [종합] [Shinee wins first place on 'M Countdown', mentions the late Jonghyun, "The empty spot is still enormous, we miss you"]. My Daily (in Korean). from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
23. Jin, Ju-hee (March 11, 2021). '쇼챔' 샤이니, 출연 없이 1위+음악방송 5관왕 달성 [종합] ['M Countdown': Shinee wins first place without broadcast appearance]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2022.
24. Kang, Min-kyung (March 6, 2021). '음악중심' 샤이니, 1위 3관왕 "샤이니 월드, 사랑하고 감사해요" [★밤TView] ['Music Core': Shinee takes third win, "Shinee World, I love you and thank you" [★Night TView]]. Star News (in Korean). from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
25. Hwang, Hye-jin (March 7, 2021). '인기가요' 샤이니 1위→4관왕 유종의 미 "샤이니월드 고마워요"(종합) ['Inkigayo': Shinee wins first place, fourth trophy overall, "Shinee World, thank you"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2022.
26. Don't Call Me (Liner notes). South Korea: SM Entertainment. 2021.
27. "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2021/03/03 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
28. 2021년 09주차 Digital Chart [Digital Chart – Week 9, 2021]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
29. "Shinee Chart History (Billboard K-pop 100)". Billboard. from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
30. "Shinee Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
31. "Don't Call Me". Melon (in Korean). from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
32. "Superstar - EP". Apple Music. from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.