2010—14: Songwriting and akting debut

eneration's music video "Gee".[9] He was also featured in the music video of VNT's debut song Sound in 2010.[10] In 2009, Minho joined the popular show Let's Go! Dream Team as a regular member.[11]

In Shinee's third mini-album, 2009, Year of Us, he along with fellow member Key, and lyricist JQ, wrote the song "Get Down", which features fellow label mate Luna of f(x).[12]

2010—14: Songwriting and acting debut[edit]

In Shinee's second studio album, Lucifer, released in July 2010, he wrote the raps to "Up & Down" (co-written by fellow member Jonghyun), and "Obsession" (also written by Jonghyun), "Your Name" (written by fellow member Onew). He co-wrote the songs "WOWOWOW" with JQ and "Shout Out" with the fellow members and MISFIT. In the repackaged album Hello, he wrote the rap for the title track "Hello", and co-wrote the raps for "One" and "Get It".[13][14]

Minho debuted as an actor on 20 November 2010 in a KBS2's drama special, entitled Pianist with actress Han Ji-hye.[2]

On 7 December 2011, it was announced that Minho would be taking on a comedic acting role in SBS‘s new sitcom, Salamander Guru and The Shadows, which would air in early 2012. Minho played the role of Min-hyuk, a genius hacker, alongside actors Im Won-hee and Oh Dal-soo. Salamander Guru and The Shadows was SBS's first sitcom in 5 years and revolved around two robbers who impersonate a guru. The sitcom aired in January 2012.[15]

He was credited for creating additional raps to the songs "Better", "To Your Heart", and "Stranger" for Shinee's 1st Japanese studio album, The First released in December 2011 and also their 4th mini-album Sherlock released in March 2012, he wrote the raps to the songs "Alarm Clock" and "Honesty".[16]

On 26 April 2012, Minho was confirmed to be the lead role, alongside f(x)'s Sulli and Lee Hyun-woo, for the Korean drama To the Beautiful You, a Korean version of "Hana Kimi".[17] The drama started broadcasting on 15 August 2012 on SBS.[18] Minho's character is Kang Tae Joon, a high jump gold medalist who gives up high jumping after being injured.[19] In preparation for his role as Tae-joon, Minho received personal training from coach Kim Tae-young, former national high jump athlete and a member of the Korea Association of Athletics Federations, for a month and a half.[20] His personal record at the moment is 175 cm.[21]

In 2012 Shinee's "idol rap instructor" JQ, who works under SM Entertainment to improve and direct the rapping abilities of their artists, revealed that Minho has written and co-written several of the raps in Shinee's earlier albums like Love's Way, Love LIke Oxygen, One for Me, Graze, and Best Place. In addition to Shinee's second EP Romeo he assisted JQ with Talk to You and Juliette in the raps.[22]

On 29 July 2013, it was announced that Minho would be returning to the small screen via MBC's Medical Top Team as the handsome youngest member of a medical team. His love line with Oh Yeon Seo lightens the mood of the love triangle among the drama's main leads Kwon Sang-woo, Jung Ryeo-won, and Ju Ji-hoon.[23]

For Shinee's third studio album, Chapter 1. Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You, he wrote the rap lyrics for the title song "Dream Girl" as well as "Girls, Girls, Girls" together with his member Key. He also wrote the raps for "Aside", "Beautiful" and "Dynamite".[24][25] For Chapter 2. Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me, Minho wrote the raps to the songs "Shine" (Medusa I), "Music Box" (Orgel), "Excuse Me Miss" and "Can't Leave" (Sleepless Night).[26][27]

For Shinee's fifth EP Everybody, Minho wrote the rap lyrics for the songs "Destination", "Close the Door" and "Colorful" (together with member Key).[28] Minho was credited for writing and producing the raps for their songs "Romance" and "Farewell My Love" in Shinee's fourth studio album, Odd.[29]

Minho starred as the lead in the OnStyle drama Because It's The First Time together with New comer Actress Park So-dam, which was broadcast in September 2015. It is the first drama premiered by OnStyle, with a total of eight episodes.[30]