A Winter Releaser Came Back in Summer

In three lines

• MINHO's second mini album 'Make it hot' arrived today, September 7, at 6pm. Six tracks.
• As a Korean solo release it follows December 2025's single 'TEMPO' by about nine months. The music video came out at the same hour.
• Albums used to come out in winter, around MINHO's birthday; this time the singer chose a summer comeback.

What arrived this evening

Item	Detail
Artist	MINHO (SHINee)
Album	Second mini album 'Make it hot' (6 tracks)
Release	September 7, 6pm
Title track	'Make it hot' — pop dance with EDM elements
Other tracks	'Liquid (feat. BELLE of KISS OF LIFE)' · 'Love Me Now' · 'Time 1.1' · 'Out Of My Hands' · 'Ending Scene'
Last Korean release	Single 'TEMPO' (December 2025)
Solo discography	1st mini 'CHASE' (Dec 2022) → 1st album 'CALL BACK' (Nov 2024) → 'TEMPO' → this album

Why the season changed

In an interview with Asia Economy, MINHO said, "I used to put out albums in winter, when my birthday is, like a gift for fans." And indeed 'CHASE', 'CALL BACK' and 'TEMPO' all came out in November or December. This time MINHO chose summer — "I wondered what it would be like to come back in summer instead of winter" — wanting to try a performance that suits the season.

Release timing is usually a company's call, but here the reason came from the singer. "I felt the energy I have and the energy in this song were the same," MINHO said.

The season was matched to the temperature of the song. A title that says make it hot would sit wrong in winter.

How six songs are arranged

The title track is a pop dance song laying a chorus melody over percussion rhythm and bass. The other five split off into R&B, Afro house, funky synth pop and hip-hop.

One song is hot and the rest are all at different temperatures. The title does not represent the album's temperature.

"I thought, let's pack in the most energy I can give," MINHO said. The singer added that sports content and training had been a source of energy while making the album.

What came first, at midnight yesterday

The music video teaser came first, at midnight yesterday, September 6, on the SMTOWN channel. It ran 31 seconds.

The full video was released at 6pm today on the same channel. The video above is that one.

What to check today

Start with the title track. How the temperature the title names is realised in sound is the first thing to check.

Then listen through the other five. Where the songs at other temperatures were placed is the check.

Last, play 'TEMPO' again. The difference between a song released in winter and one released in summer is the last thing to check.

That's the last of the numbers. Now, the music.