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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN

a seasonal questionnaire.

idols in general are expected to work all year round thus a formal vacation such as “summer vacation” is next to nonexistent. how does the scarcity in formal vacations make you feel? do you wish you were allotted more time to vacation?

“it would be really nice to have time just to vacation, but since we’re idols with the chance to perform in places besides our own country, there are also times where we can enjoy the benefits of vacation while working. we get to see new things, try local foods, experience cultures different from ours... rather than getting no vacation at all, i think the problem is aligning vacation times with friends. it’s not that there isn’t any time to go on vacation, it’s that when i finally have time, it’s my friends that are busy~. it’s a shame, ah. free time passes by with nothing to do.”

many people become depressed during the chilly months. with autumn right around the corner again, do you feel as though your emotion change based on the seasons? in what ways? if ‘no’ why do you think this is so?

“chilly months are my favorite months, but i can see how the cold weather and darker days could have an effect on someone’s mood. you don’t get to go outside as often, and there’s days when the sky is gray and dreary... personally, though, winter is cozier than the warmer months. you can wear sweaters and drink hot beverages, and you can venture out to places like the resorts to ski and enjoy the snow. i enjoy winter sports, so it’s always exciting when the temperature is colder and the snow starts falling. everyone just has to be more careful in order to avoid getting sick.”

being productive is essential for those in the idol profession who wish to branch out. how successful have you been in promoting yourself aside from group activities?

“ah, well~... i’ve been really lucky, right? my company gave me the chance to promote as a solo artist alongside my group, and i think establishing a concept and identity that is ‘you’ is really important. i want to set myself apart and show the colors that only i can show, and i think i’ve succeeded in some ways. for me, the aspects i choose to highlight during promotions include the sides i have yet to be able to show. for “ace”, it was maturity; for “press your it”, it was a chance to show off my improved vocals and dance skill, and for “move”, i really wanted to express the strength i have in the form of androgyny and eroticism. “want” was of a similar concept, but i also chose to show how i had grown as an artist since the last release. i’ve had the chance to hold solo tours and to show different colors there, too, such as artistry and powerful performances. rather than showing just an image, i like to show how i can change and adapt through new opportunities.”

sometimes group activities can be burdensome. one member may get more attention than the other and your paycheck at the end of promotion(when split between however members your group have and the company) can be unsatisfactory for all the work you put in. have you ever felt as if you would be better off in a smaller group or as a soloist?(if a soloist, have you ever felt like you made the right choice to become/promote as soloist purely for the monetary advantages?)

“there may be some cases like that, but for shinee, each member has their own endeavors and their own goals while still promoting as an aspect of our group. we respect what the other wants to explore, but what we do as soloists also affects the image of our group. the members are shinee, but shinee is also apart of the members’ identity. each member promotes themselves in different ways, too, and so i don’t think there’s any jealousy as far as salary or opportunities go. some enjoy solo albums, others enjoy acting and musicals... and when we come back together as a whole, we tend to communicate until what we’re working on satisfies us all. everyone has different tastes, but we all have a mindset that allows us to empathize and compromise in the end, for the good of shinee and our fans.”

many concepts are rinse and repeated every few months. once of the few concepts that are anticipated and expected are “summer” concepts. ranging anywhere from june-july-august. do you look forward to seeing this concept or feel that even in its 3 month range that it is overdone?

“while “summer” concepts as a whole might seem over-saturated, aren’t there different concepts within this concept? sometimes it’s beachy, sometimes it’s just exciting and upbeat... and while some group concepts might be strong, i don’t think releasing a good song that’s just meant to be fun and match the mood of the season is necessarily a bad thing. there are peers in the industry whose groups do really well with these kinds of songs, and they tend to be songs that you remember and listen to for years to come. really, as long as it’s enjoyable and the group and fans are satisfied, i think it’s alright.”

building from what was said in the latter question, the demand for summer concepts have also coincided with a demand for idols to be fit. is your summer diet different from your winter diet? in what ways do you manage your body?

“i shouldn’t laugh, ah... personally, i don’t diet depending on the seasons, but rather whenever i feel motivated to keep my body in good condition. there are some people that like to look cooler and show off their figure when it’s warmer, but i’m not really like that. right now, i’m working really hard to maintain the muscle i’m built up over time, but it’s out of my own personal greed rather than for my image or for a “summer look”. i only like to feel satisfied with myself.”

what kind of summer concept would you do if you were given the freedom? additionally, what kind of autumn concept would you do if you were given the freedom?

“for a summer concept, wouldn’t something like a cute concept be fun~? i shouldn’t joke so much, but i think it could be fun. if i really think about it, i think i would feel satisfied by just releasing a strong, exciting song. it doesn’t have to fit with a summer theme necessarily, as long as it has a fun performance and beat. for autumn, i’ve released songs like “move” and “day and night” and i think those kind of concepts fit the season really well. a sultry song with a steady rhythm could be nice. i really want to expand on the “sexiness” i’ve been able to show so far, so i think it would be a good season to be able to show it.”

do you believe that there is more stress to put out an album during the second half of the year?

“wouldn’t it depend on the work you’ve done through the rest of the year? there’s also award shows and other things, but since i made a comeback during the earliest month of the year and also held concerts where i was able to share unreleased songs, i personally feel a lot of pressure to be able to show a new concept before the year comes to an end. i’ve had a lot of time to grow as an artist through touring and releasing a an album in japan, too, so i believe the second half of the year would be the perfect time to showcase new strengths. i’m currently working on a new album and another project, so i hope fans will be satisfied with what’s to come.”

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ CHUSEOK PT. 1

prompt: for the first half of this prompt, we ask that you write a self-para about how your muse spent their chuseok time off. did they go spend time with family? did they spend it with someone else? or perhaps they continued to work heavily?

fingers work through damp strands of hair, pushing them back from where they’ve begun to cling to his forehead. it’s warm outside and even warmer here, in the dance studio, and the cap that he places over the locks he’s carded back at least offers some relief and ventilation for his features. when he catches a glimpse in the mirror that spans the length and height of the wall, there’s an obvious flush that comes from the heat and the exertion he’s been enduring, beads of moisture most apparent at his temple and a rosy hue coloring his cheeks. it’s typical for him, really, and there’s little regard for the effects of his hard work as a thumb and forefinger adjust the bill of his hat into a more comfortable position, turning away to cross the room towards his things.

he’s able to catch a glimpse of the clock, and, well— he’s late. his mother won’t fail to nag, taemin’s certain. through the window that offers a view into the hallway, it’s apparent that it’s darkened with staff and most of his fellow idols, even, having already left to go home. each step gives away the exhaustion of his limbs, aching yet numbed to the point where they could be compared to jello. he hadn’t noticed it as he had been dancing— he’d been focused on his form and the visual, rather, and things like a stiff joint had remained far from his mind.

the distance is relatively short but the walk from the center of the room to the bench in the corner feels as if it’s one of the longest of his life. gripping the strap of his bag, he hoists it up from the cushions and over his shoulder before he retrieves his phone from the stereo aux. he’s able to note the notifications as he thumbs over the button to alight the screen; there’s a few from his friends, his group chat, and then a couple from his mom as he had expected.

“are you working late today, too? dinner is waiting when you get here.”

the corners of his lips begin to bud with a smile, the expression blossoming across his features. it isn’t exactly a nag, no, and he finds a reassuring feeling filling his chest. it’s not like it’s unusual for him to work through holidays, or for him to prioritize his work over other things he should give more consideration to, but his mom— his family, including his father and brother and dogs— they’re waiting for him to come home so they can greet the holiday together. it’s nice to have the support, and it’s with his thumb that he swipes across the screen to tap out a quick response of, “be there soon.”

the device is pocketed, weighing heavily in the pocket of his sweatpants, but his approach of the door is less daunting than each step had been before. opening it, flipping the switch to dim the lights of the room— he’s ready to finally go home. it’s a short vacation that’s well deserved.

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ PROFILE AND FACTS

TAEMIN IS A MEMBER OF SHINEE, DEBUTING ON MAY 25TH, 2008. HE MADE HIS SOLO DEBUT ON AUGUST 18TH, 2014 WITH “DANGER”.

stage name: taemin nationality: korean (cheongdam-dong, seoul) position: maknae, main dancer, main vocalist zodiac sign: cancer height: 179 cm weight: 60 kg blood type: type b specialties: popping dance

facts: — his nicknames include magic hand (because of losing and breaking things), power taem (given in “shinee world doo-bop”), and dancing machine. — very fearful of bugs. — a member of the “padding friends”, which includes exo’s kai, bts’ jimin, hotshot’s timoteo and sungwoon, vixx’s ravi, and other non-idol friends. — he is very religious and open about his catholic faith. his baptismal name is francesco. — he has an older brother named taesun. — he has been apart of several special projects by sm entertainment, including younique unit, sm the performance, and super m. — he tends to get a new ear piercing when he feels a lot of pressure or stress. — he appeared on the show “we got married” alongside apink’s son naeun. — a quote he likes to apply to his everyday life is “man proposes, god disposes”. — he enjoys extreme sports and has tried many, including skydiving, paragliding, scuba diving, and skiing. — he earned his first scuba diving license in 2019. — appeared as a competitor on the dancing competition show, “hit the stage”. he won first place alongside his dance partner and choreographer, sugawara koharu. — he speaks japanese almost fluently. — he appeared as a mentor and judge on “the unit”. — enjoys horror films and other things related to the genre and does not get startled easily by these things.

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ PLAYLIST V.5

► — 누난 너무 예뻐 (replay) - 샤이니 / 3:34 ► — what if... ( 시선 둘, 시선 하나) - exo / 4:19 ► — swallowed in the sea - coldplay / 3:59 ► — password - three1989 / 4:36 ► — acacia - moonmoon / 3:41 ► — 달과 별 - 멜로우독 / 3:48 ► — i will fight (ft. vinxen) - key / 3:59 ► — in your arms - saib / 4:37

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ LET’S GO ON VACATION

a vacation questionnaire.

how long has it been since your last vacation time?

“ah, my last vacation... wasn’t it in april? so it’s been about five months since i’ve had a vacation. when i went, it was also the first trip i’d taken in awhile, too. i don’t think i’m the type to take breaks often, but when i do they end up being fun and meaningful. you’re probably curious about where i went, right..~? i think it was floating around on sns, but i managed to run away to cebu with my friends. i was even able to get my scuba diving license while i was there. it was fun, the scenery was seriously beautiful, and i got to try a lot of things that i had been dreaming about.”

would you be the type to go on a vacation with your members, family, friends, or alone?

“personally, i think it’s the most fun to take a trip with friends, but since the members and i have never taken a vacation together, i think something like that would be nice too. my family tends to take their own vacations since i’m busy working, but i like to meet with friends to travel and play at least once a year— even if it’s just within korea.”

would you leave the city, state, country?

“it’s hard to go far when my schedule is busy, but if i could... i’d travel really far! to europe? or america? i don’t mind compromising on something closer, though, like a ski resort in the mountains or a trip to japan, or a beach vacation in jeju. i think any place can be fun as long as you’re traveling with the right people.”

describe your ideal travel plan & destination:

“this is a really tough question, because it’s one that i think about a lot. since my last vacation was at a resort-like place, a tropical paradise, i think something in europe might be fun. i’ve been to switzerland before for a vacation, but it was during the winter and it made it hard to travel. i think, for now, my ideal would be traveling there in the summer so i could see the beauty of the greenery instead of the snow. it seems like it would be really beautiful, and i could try different things that i didn’t get to try before! i could try skydiving again, or go hiking since the weather would be nice. i’m not good at planning things, so that’s all i can think of at the moment~.”

do you consider tour stops as vacations?

“in the past, i would stay in the hotel when we were touring different places, even if it were a place i had never been to before, like toronto and other interesting cities, but i think that i’ve changed that habit? it was kind of a shame to visit a place and have no memories, so i’ve started making an effort to explore despite having schedules. i had a lot of fun when touring in japan last year, and this year, too. there were a lot of things i got to try and see that i hadn’t before, despite working there for eight years... it was really amazing! i think the experiences helped me relate to the fans in each area, too, and i could speak to them more confidently.”

what is something you worry about when you go on vacation?

“something i worry about a lot is the planning. i don’t usually plan trips because i’m not very good at it, but for example, a few years ago, i was the one responsible for making the plans for a trip to sapporo with two of my closest friends. i think it turned out alright since they know how i am, but i didn’t even know the address to the hotel when we got there. it was seriously messy! in the end, it turned out to be fun though. i also have a bad habit of losing things or doing things carelessly, so that’s always a concern when traveling, too. losing a passport is a scary thing! i’ve done it before. would you like to travel with me~?”

what are a few things you would take with you?

“the only things i need are my phone, charger, and a change of clothes! that’s right— just one. i’m not a picky person.”

what are the first three places you wish to visit the most?

“i should pick places that i haven’t been to for vacation before, right? so i won’t say switzerland again. how about: spain, netherlands, and bali.”

would you create rules for your travels, or go with the flow?

“you might be able to tell what my answer is going to be by what i said about planning, but i really don’t think rules are important. since we deal with a lot of rules in our day-to-day life, going with the flow while you’re on a break seems like the best way to do things. it’s more relaxing that way.”

what time of the year do you believe is the best time to go on vacation?

“doesn’t it depend on where you’re traveling? there’s places that are really nice during different times of the year— switzerland is beautiful in both the summer and winter, the netherlands have beautiful winters too... of course, the beach is best when it’s warmest, but it’s nice to visit when everywhere else is cold too. it depends on the person’s preference, but i don’t have one. i’m happy with any time, because there’s always something to experience.”

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ IDOL Q&A

an idol life questionnaire.

all idols have an image determined for them by the company. how do you feel about your persona and how true is it to your true self? keeping this image in mind, do you ever feel that you were given said image because your real personality is too bland in comparison?

“when shinee first debuted, the company really wanted us to have a “younger boyfriend” image to match our debut song. they expected us to act cutely and coolly, and especially because i was the youngest, i really had to focus on coming across as a cute person. with growing older and trying different concepts, shinee’s image also changed a lot over time, and there were times when the company really wanted to highlight my more feminine features and promote them. looking back, i don’t think it was a bad thing, but at the time it was something i felt really sensitive over. it wasn’t something the general public was thoughtful towards, and i received a lot of comments about being a girl and not coming across as manly enough. i even had long hair for a time, and i felt subconscious going places publicly because of the reactions i would receive. back then, i really hated it and just wanted to fit into the ideal, muscular masculine image— and i couldn’t even if i wanted to, because of my natural features and how my body is built. it caused a lot of frustration, but then i had the chance to explore different concepts and try my own colors as i debuted as soloist. it took a long time, but i think i’ve become comfortable with the sides i show now and with the person that i actually am. i’ve learned to accept my natural features and learned how to enhance them with makeup or through workouts... it’s a perk of being experienced, too, but i think that i show more of the real taemin than an image these days. for me, it’s been a process, but i’m happy with where my image is now.”

do you have any habits that your fans might find unfit for an idol? if ‘yes’, what are those habits and how did they come about?

“i’m trying to think of something, but there isn’t really anything..? only things that everyone does, i think. there’s times when i like to drink with friends, and times when i’m lazy and eat delivery while watching a tv show in bed. there’s always something that netizens like to criticize and i bet there would be a controversy if i were seen during off time, but in the end, it’s things that most average people tend to do and i don’t think there’s any shame in it. idols are human, too, right? we just have to be more careful. i’ll be careful with my laziness~.”

what is your relationship with your family like? when was the last time you’ve contacted them?

“i’m actually really close to my family, since they live in seoul and i lived with them for awhile after moving out of the shinee dorm. i would say my relationship with them is average, though? i have an older brother and we get along really well, but have disagreements like all siblings do, i think. we talk about music and he’s helped me compose things in the past, since he has an interest in producing. i’m closest to my mom, though, and i look the most like her, too. i let her drag me along on shopping trips and help her pick out things for their house, and she meets with the other members’ moms for trips and events. with my dad, i didn’t understand him all that well until i got older, but we’ve recently gotten closer and he’s someone that has always solidly supported me. we can talk about finances and politics, and i think it’s nice to have someone that i can go to for advice now that i’m an adult living on my own. as for when i last contacted them? it was earlier today when my mom asked if i would be having dinner there. i think i’ll be taking home the leftovers... it’s the best.”

after becoming a celebrity, have you noticed a difference in the way your friends perceive you? do you still communicate with old friends or have you cut ties?

“this is something i talked about a lot when i was younger, especially right after debut since i felt a bit bothered by it, but i lost a lot of friendships because of schedules and being a “celebrity”. because i was so young, still in my last year of middle school, it made it really difficult to stay friends with those that i had made when studying and i was a bit lonely even with the friends that i did have, because i wasn’t able to meet with them or contact them often. there is that famous friend group, though— you know it, right~? they’re known as the padding squad. it includes my closest friends since i as young: jongin, moonkyu, and kwonho, and even more friends that we’ve all made since then. i think it’s fair to say that while there were a lot of friends i cut ties with, there were also friends that i became even closer to and have kept for a long time. i think we’ll always be friends, too.”

feuds between companies is arguably what keeps the industry booming. even if idols from opposing companies may not dislike one another, many ceos make sure to keep their artists apart. what are your thoughts on the separation of idols by company? do you think it has become an epidemic particularly with the new generation of idols?

“i think it has changed a lot since i debuted in 2008. the korean entertainment industry seems to be one of the fastest evolving entertainment industries in the world, and because of that, there’s always new trends and new ways that companies are trying to improve, get ahead. when i first debuted, it’s true that companies were a lot more open to working together and collaborating than they are now. the variety shows were more interactive for the idols, and we got to meet others often and work together for interesting stages for the end-of-year shows. there are some shows and projects with similar concepts these days, and i think some producers are trying to bring these kinds of things back, but you can definitely feel more of a divide among idols and companies now. personally, i think it could be really fun to collaborate with other idols, especially those that have newly debuted. i’m still young, too! let’s work together and have fun. you can learn a lot from experiences like that.”

some might say being an idol is restrictive in terms of personal growth. do you agree?

“it depends on the person and their personality, and on the company that they’re apart of. for example, with my company, it’s uncommon for artists to write and produce their own music, right? sm is known for having specific ideas and concepts, and so there’s been friends at my company that have felt frustrated with strict systems like that in place. there’s other companies that encourage songwriting, or provide classes on social interaction and other things that might help an idol personally, and there’s also companies that are really rigid in their routines. there’s also the fact that, as idols, we’re under a lot of scrutiny and it’s difficult to go out or date without it becoming a controversy, so it’s a bit true that it can be restricting. everyone handles it differently.”

do you ever feel disheartened when viewing photo shopped images of yourself?

“when working in an industry that edits a lot to fit ideals, i think you definitely have to have a certain type of strength to not feel disheartened by the differences in images of yourself. mostly, i think it’s about having confidence in both looks— reality and on a screen. for me, rather than feeling upset that i look different in pictures of myself, i work hard to maintain good skin and a good physique so that more of my natural attributes might show through. i think most people know that what they see in images isn’t reality. for example, i have freckles in places and stretch marks just like the average person, but you would never see them in a pictorial.”

how many languages do you speak fluently or otherwise? have you ever been annoyed by your own voice or accent when communicating in another language?

“fluently is a heavy term, ah~... i can only confidently say that i’m fluent in two, and even then i think i have a lot of room to improve. it’s my own language, korean, and japanese. since i’ve been focusing on touring and promoting in japan a lot, my language skills have naturally improved and i can speak confidently on variety shows and with staff, dancers, and fans. i’ve even received praise, and it feels good to know that i’m doing well and doing the language justice while working. i’ve also started working on improving my english, but i’m not fluent at all and i feel subconscious about the sentence structure and my accent when i speak. it’s necessary to improve it since i’ll be working overseas and in western countries more often, and it would also be nice to improve so that i can confidently speak when i travel or do things in foreign countries on my own. despite feeling insecure, it only motivates me to do better in my studies, so i hope to be able to show off my improved english skills soon.”

in what areas do you think the industry has room for improvement?

“since i’ve been working in the industry for so long, i’ve seen a lot of changes and also noticed things that could be useful to change... if i’m thinking about the things that would benefit everyone the most, wouldn’t it be nice to change the standard on dieting and the way schedules are handled? there’s been dangerous circumstances in the past and even now where the artists aren’t able to take care of themselves like they should. even i’ve been guilty of pushing my schedules and body to the limit, and sometimes it’s good to have a reminder or someone to stop you and tell you that you should rest, or eat really well so you’ll have the energy to keep going. there are more things, but taking care of ourselves would be a good place to start.”

if you could go back in time, would you still pursue your idol career under your current company or would you opt for another company?

“i would definitely pursue it through sm again, but only if i would also be placed with shinee. since i’ve already experienced the idol life, unless it could be with the same members by my side, i wouldn’t want to do it again.”

share an anecdote about a time you were treated differently in school or otherwise by those around you after becoming an idol or trainee.

“i mentioned it before, but i debuted at a really young age, when i was still in my last year of middle school. because i was young and maybe a bit naive, and because the school i attended wasn’t too far from the company, i thought it would be a good idea to continue to study there and then at the high school in the area rather than leave the friends and home i had known. it was hard, though, because of schedules and shinee’s public recognition slowly rising. it was natural that the kids i went to school with and the friends that i had heard about it, and when i would attend classes, i would get followed or pushed around by everyone trying to see the idol that debuted through sm. i think they might have had innocent intentions, but there were also some kids that weren’t the nicest and would get a bit more physical. it was hard to study, because someone would always be looking or standing over me. i would be late to school or leave early because of work, and i would get scolded by administration... managers and the members would walk with me to school, just in case. there were a lot of factors in my decision to transfer to a performing arts school, but i felt that i had a hard time being understood by my peers and my teachers and it was one of the biggest reasons that i chose to leave. i honestly don’t have many memories from school, like playing or school trips. because of my career, i never had the chance to experience them.”

what would you say to those who belittle idols on the web? additionally, many idols have began to take legal actions on negative comments left on the web. what do you think of their decision?

“the things netizens say can be really damaging and hurtful, right? i like to read articles on myself and there’s times where that isn’t a good thing, because i see the negative comments that offer nothing constructive too. the ones where i’m called too feminine, or a girl... misgendered. those kind of comments affected me for a long time, and i can see why some idols might want to fight back against the comments left about themselves. i think it takes a lot of courage to do something like that, and i’m not sure if it’s something i could do, but i understand why they would. comments can affect your career, mental health, and others’ image of you.”

idol diet regimes are infamous for their severity. diets such as the paper cup diet and cucumber diet are industry favorites. considering that many look upon idols as eye-candy and those idols who fail to fit into this criteria are reprimanded, do you think strict dieting is justifiable/ just another part of your job?

“dieting in a healthy way can never really be a bad thing. if it’s healthily, then its just that— living a healthy lifestyle. there are a lot of idols and others that don’t do it healthily, though, and i think that makes it harder to maintain a good figure and body than eating the right amounts of the right foods. there are some companies that enforce that kind of thing, too, but i was lucky to have management that made sure we never skipped meals, even if were busy and didn’t have a lot of time to eat. it’s apart of my job in the way that i need to be careful about what i eat, such as avoiding greasy foods to keep bloating down and my skin in good condition, but i still eat things that are good for me— meats, vegetables, fruits... it’s a responsibility, but i’d like to think i would live this way even if i wasn’t in the public eye. i might miss greasy and unhealthy foods, but it’s good for me.”

often times managers go above and beyond to protect their artist. some even resorting to physical cruelty to keep fans in line. have you ever witnessed your manager doing so? do you feel their demeanor is vital for your protection or do you think managers of idol groups take security measures too far?

“this is difficult topic because it’s a high stress job with safety involved, for everyone— fans and idols alike. there’s definitely been times where our managers have been more strict, and times where we simply didn’t listen to them because it didn’t seem reasonable, but it’s also that they’re older and responsible for us and, honestly, care about our well being. physical violence is never the right option, whether it’s from fans or managers or idols themselves... i think it would be nice if everyone could be a bit more careful and mindful of space and their actions.”

some fans believe that because they financially support the idol they own the idol. what would you say to these fans?

“in a way, because our careers are thanks to those that support us, we do owe them gratitude and owe it to them to do our best. we owe it to them to put on our best performances, and to live as upstanding citizens— good examples— but there are ways that the line between our jobs and personal lives get blurred when talking about what we owe to our fans, too. personally, i think it’s good to separate our personal lives from our public lives, and i think it’s fair to live comfortably outside of public settings or events. i’ve struggled with this in the past, because there are things i would like to do in my personal life that could upset fans, but there is a right way to open up to them so that they’re more comfortable with things that may come out in the future. someday, i might get married and have kids, right? it’s important to connect with fans over these things. they don’t have to be involved in my personal life, but it’s good to slowly let them know that it will happen, if it does happen, and if it comes out publicly one day.”

is rejection something you struggle to accept? have you ever been rejected? if ‘yes’ does it make you want to give up or try harder?

“i’m the type of person that takes rejection a bit hard, but not in the way that i might cry or blame others. if i’m rejected, it’s for a reason, right? like when i was young, and i couldn’t sing because my voice hadn’t broken yet. they rejected my requests for vocal lessons, and it hurt my pride a lot when i had to debut without singing lines, but i ended up learning a lot from it by working hard to overcome the reasons i was rejected in the first place. i practiced on my own, and i slowly began to receive more lines each time we received an album. my vocal tone got better, and i could sing more notes with a more stable sound. at the time, i might have pushed myself a bit too hard, because i even ended up suffering from nose bleeds and losing my voice... but it paid off in the end, and i think that’s important. rejection shouldn’t stop you— it should inspire you to prove them wrong.”

how often do you rely on stimulants be it caffeine, pills or energy drinks to stay awake during schedules? which of the three are your favorite?

“coffee! i’m a big fan of coffee, even if i don’t have schedules and if i’m not tired. iced americano is my favorite— i drink three cups a day, usually.”

after a few years, companies allow for their artists to move out of the dorms they were required to stay in during training. did you decide to stay, or are you now living elsewhere?

“ah, this~... i was actually one of the first members to move out of the dorm, along with jonghyun hyung who was my roommate. the members and i get along really well, but we have a hard time living together because our personalities and lifestyles are so different. because i like to have personal space when i have free time, i just thought it was best that i move back in with my family when i had the chance. they live nearby the original dorm, and it made it easy to travel back in forth, so it wasn’t a problem with the managers or the company. before the members enlisted, we would stay at the dorm to make it easier to travel for schedules, too, but all of us have recently bought our own apartments to live comfortably in. we get along better when we have our own time and space. i think we all can say that we’re closer now than when we lived together. we see each other freely rather than having to see each other daily.”

take a look at all of your hairstyles(comeback specific) thus far. show us your least favorite and tell us why you chose it as such. and lastly, do you forgive your stylist?

“my hairstyle at debut! it became really famous and a lot of students and other celebrities copied it, but i didn’t like it as much. it was fine as it grew out, but the bowl shape looks too funny now. i regret wearing it like that.”

name one factor that inspired you to become an idol. was it the pay, the fame or the passion?

“i didn’t know much about the idol industry, and so it wasn’t fame or money or the industry itself that inspired me to try for it. rather, it was that i was really interested in dancing and it seemed like the most viable way to make something of my interest and to improve my skill. prior to training, i had never formally trained in dancing at all.”

arguably the hardest part of idol life is the training period. many restrictions are put in place, some of which are even frowned upon by fans. which restriction was the most prominent and how does that restriction affect you to this day?

“the restriction that affected me most was probably the areas that the company wanted to train me in. like i’ve said before, they refused to train me in singing and it was something that affected my focus and training in the future— even now. before i came to know more about the idol industry, i really only knew idols as soloists; rain, boa, michael jackson, chris brown... there were celebrities like that that i looked up to, and all of them were singers, not dancers. i really wanted to sing, and i wasn’t allowed. rather than helping, i was just told “no, your voice isn’t suited to singing. just dance.” and it really hurt my confidence. although it would have been true that i couldn’t sing, support in situations like that would have been better. in the end, i didn’t even want to debut and begged my family to ask the company to wait until i could sing. i’m grateful that i was able to have the opportunities to improve my singing later on, though.”

outside of the industry, mental health in south korea continues to be a taboo. within the industry that taboo exacerbates. with more and more idols such as brown eyed girl’s ga in, big bang’s top, and aoa’s choa to name a few admitting to suffering from a mental illness, some might think the public may gradually sway to be more open to mental illnesses. do you agree with them? why or why not?

“it’s definitely important for the industry to become more open about the struggles that idols deal with. i think it’s a good place for change to start, too, because if the general public sees that it’s more accepted and less taboo, then it will also begin to change among the public. it might be difficult for those that are more open at first, but changes always start small before growing into something big. eventually, it will become more understood and accepted.”

do you feel that you fit into korea’s beauty standards? if ‘yes’ do you think this feat gives you advantage over those who aren’t? if ‘no’ do you think that being below the standard has affected the way you perceive yourself?

“it might sound a bit arrogant, but ever since i was a toddler i had people approach to say that i was really pretty. i would always get shy and hide behind my mom when i heard those things, and as i grew up and entered the entertainment industry, i kept hearing similar comments from coordis and fans and other celebrities. ‘taemin is pretty! taemin is good looking.’ but, personally, i think i have flaws just like everyone does, and i don’t think that i necessarily fit korea’s standard. aren’t monolids the trend these days..~? and mine are double, ah... i can’t help the way i was born..

is being an idol a career choice your parents have always been supportive of? what was their initial reaction when you announced to them you wanted to become one? have they grown to support you?

“it was actually my family that encouraged me to become an idol. i knew nothing about entertainment companies back then, but my parents saw that i liked dancing and thought i did it pretty well, and so they said it would be good to try for something like that. we searched around and sm was the most well known, so it was the first and only audition that i attended. since i was young, i think there were probably some parts that made my parents worry, but they were always really supportive and gave me discipline and encouragement when i needed it. if it weren’t for them, i probably wouldn’t be where i am today.”

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ EVERYDAY BEHAVIOR

— finances:

with a successful career comes a healthy paycheck, and with youth comes an interest in fashion and video game consoles and the latest earbud tech. he’s been fortunate, fortunate due to fans who allowed him to live so freely and fortunate to have a family knowledgeable enough in investments. his first real, notable purchases were a luxury home and a foreign car, but rather for himself, they were for his family. while having few worries when spending money on more expensive things, there’s a sense of responsibility that comes with taking care of his parents and planning for the future. so, sure— he might freely purchase a pair of gucci shoes, but he’s learned to be careful with bigger investments as well.

— personal habits:

he’s been lucky to avoid addictions to things like nicotine and gambling (though, secretly, he’s had his share of trying both of those things), and he doesn’t spend all day playing video games, but there is one habit that he just can’t seem to break: coffee. or, more specifically? iced americano. it probably comes from working long hours, attending draining schedules, but he almost always drinks at least three cups a day. it’s almost a necessity and due to his high tolerance of caffeine, he tends to get moody if he hasn’t had any.

— morning routine:

his morning routine varies, depending on whether he has early schedules or if he has the whole day off. on the days that he has somewhere to be, it’s usually the voice of his manager that wakes him and coaxes— demands? that he get out of bed. he showers first, washes up and goes through a skincare routine; he gets dressed, lets the coordi team make him look presentable if he has to make a public appearance... he always has a coffee, usually delivered, and tends to eat quickly or on the way. on his days off, though? well, he might not even have a morning. he tends to sleep late, until well into the afternoon, and goes lazily through the day. he might shower if he feels like it, or he might stay in his pajamas for the entirety of the day.

— afternoon/workday:

again, this varies depending on schedules. on a day without promotional schedules, he’s hitting the practice room by lunch time and staying for at least six hours— usually eight, sometimes up to ten. there’s usually a handful of breaks for snacks and water, but he likes to work and even when he’s supposed to be resting, he usually finds a way to sneak in some practice. he arrives first, and is the last to leave. the days that he’s promoting are unpredictable, but tend to start early and end late with few moments of rest in between. on the few days that he takes completely to himself, he’ll stay at home and watch movies, or shows, or maybe take his friends up on a offer to hang out.

— dinner:

he can’t cook. at all. because of this, he almost always eats out or orders in for his meals. if he has to, there’s usually some ramen or a few simple groceries in his fridge that he can throw together that are edible (barely), but he has no interest in cooking and sees no reward in the effort. it’s easier to just hit “deliver” on his phone screen.

— evening:

being the introverted type, if it’s been a long day with lots of conversation and interaction, his evenings are spent at home, by himself— to the point where he even turns down plans with his closest friends. if it’s been an easy day, though, he’ll usually agree to these plans and will meet up with his friends at the river or for a meal. there’s times where he invites his friends over, but they’re each busy in their own way and it’s less common these days.

— bedtime:

he’s a late riser when left on his own terms, which means he’s usually late to sleep too. he’s a night owl, so to speak, and he likes to sleep in the comfort of darkness and silence. a bit of a light sleeper, he prefers to sleep alone but can adjust if it’s someone he’s used to being around. he isn’t much of a dreamer, either, and when he does have them, they’re typically stress related and all too vivid nightmares about things currently going on in his life. having a comfortable and familiar space is important to him when he sleeps.

— skills/talents:

naturally and related to his job, he’s skilled in dancing and has been since taking an interest in it as a kid. it’s because of his interest that he’s been able to hone it into something admirable, and the same can be said for his vocal skills, which he worked hard to improve. outside of his work, though, he’s become skilled in things like piano, songwriting, swimming, and in games such as billiards.

— hobbies:

these days, his interests are mainly in scuba diving and in spending time watching western dramas. he’s always had an inclination towards extreme sports, and enjoys things like skydiving, paragliding, and skiing. when he has less time, he watches youtube videos— gameplays, true crime, ghost mysteries— to pass the time, and also enjoys collecting things like manga and anime sets. he has a whole bookshelf at home dedicated to it. with friends, he enjoys billiards and mobile games. he enjoys video games, too, but doesn’t have enough time to play them.

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ DISPATCH V.1

eyebrows knit together while eyes scan over the illuminated phone screen, bright in contrast to the darkness of the bedroom around him. it's late, and he's tired— muscles aching from hours of rehearsals, voice lost from too much use, but he's still awake and still reading this. after all, isn't it natural to want to know what fans are thinking of your hard work?

it's a bit like butterflies; anxiety and excitement, fluttering within his fut. he's nervous about meeting their expectations, and even more nervous about the controversy of working with another group alongside his own. yet, the excitement of working alongside friends... the excitement of working on something new— it’s with the thought that he swallows down the lump in his throat, thumbs over the button that locks the device screen. the room is darkened again, but his mind is busy with a particular thought: he has to work hard so that fans will see it's all been worth it. he has to work hard to succeed.

sm entertainment announced its upcoming “super group” earlier this month alongside its partnership with capitol music group, calling the new boy band super m— the avengers of k-pop. the group was revealed through a series of image and video teasers, along with a presentation by the company’s founder, lee soo man, and other top leaders of the agency.

the boy group, set to release their first mini album on october 4th, is comprised of members from sm entertainment’s existing boy groups: shinee’s taemin, exo’s kai and baekhyun, and nct’s taeyong, mark, ten, and lucas. the agency has since opened official accounts for super m, releasing teasers and behind the scenes footage in order to raise interest in the project among fans and among an international audience. according to press releases and inside sources, the group will promote both in korea and make an american advancement upon debut. to corroborate this, it has been confirmed that the group’s title song will include both korean and english lyrics.

however, the fans of the members involved are skeptical, with many citing busy schedules and the upcoming enlistments of members taemin, baekhyun, and kai as reasons to boycott the group. upon the announcement of super m, fans trended hashtags and wrote negative blog articles in protest, demanding that the project be disbanded and discontinued. sm entertainment has not directly responded to fans’ requests, but other journalists quoted agency insiders stating that the company and the group members were aware of the controversy and would move forward sympathetically towards fans’ concerns.

due to the backlash, there have been concerns about the agency’s stocks and potential failure of the group, but sm entertainment remains optimistic about super m’s debut with the members recently completing the filming for their upcoming music video in dubai. with posts on sns accounts and news articles being released, some fans’ fears have been assuaged and there is now notable support for the members on various platforms, such as naver, pann, and twitter.

the debut album has been opened to pre-orders on the agency’s official merchandise site, with individual albums for each group member and other products, such as t-shirts paired with digital albums. individual albums for taemin and ten notably topped the album charts of global retailer, amazon, which indicates that there is international interest in the upcoming boy band.

it is clear that the company has high expectations for the avengers of k-pop. only time and charts will be able to determine the fate and success of this new, super boy group.

1. [ +1,012, -200 ] sm is crazy for going through with this ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 2. [ +401, -192 ] am i the only fan excited for this group? super m, do well!! 3. [ +169, -55 ] the name of this group ㅋㅋ who thought it was a good idea? ㅋㅋㅋ does no one at this company know what it looks like in english? 4. [ +156, -12 ] super m will flop because all of the fans are individual member fans... the events will just be chaos. 5. [ +52, -43 ] i understand why fans are upset but the concept is interesting. i’m curious about what the company has planned!

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ PLAYLIST V.4

► — 별빛 바램 (wish upon a star) - 샤이니 / 4:15 ► — 夢の真ん中 - 河口恭吾 / 5:52 ► — i can’t stand the rain - superm / 3:28 ► — no place like home (ft. jones) - honne / 4:34 ► — 夢 (daydreamin’) - exo-sc / 4:31 ► — 스물다섯, 스물하나 - jaurim / 4:47 ► — my star - bewhy / 3:54 ► — what if - coldplay / 4:58

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taemdeul · 5 years

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KR:/ QUESTIONNAIRE

part i: basics

full name: lee taemin hangul name: 이태민 stage name: taemin date of birth/age: july 18, 1993 / 26 label: sm entertainment group: shinee position: maknae / main dancer occupation: idol nationality: korean

part ii: showtime

what interested you in becoming an idol? well, i had an interest in dancing first... i would watch videos on the internet and copy them in my room. i was really young, then, and i knew nothing about the idol industry— i didn't even know any companies, and so i don't think i can say that was where my interested started. it must have been when my mom suggested it? my family suggested that i audition and do something with my hobby, and sm was just the first audition i had the chance to attend. so, when my family encouraged me? that’s my answer.

has it been everything you've wanted it to be? is something missing? my idea of an idol when i was young was based off of artists like rain, boa, justin timberlake— solo artists. i really didn't know much about the industry, and so training to be apart of a group was different for me. of course, because of my lack of vocal skills and my young age, being apart of a group was the best solution to debut me, right? and because of that, i was able to become a member of shinee. because of shinee, i was able to grow into an artist capable of producing solo music. my expectations were different, but reality usually is and i was able to adapt and grow as a person thanks to the opportunities i was given. to me, there's nothing missing... except for wanting to promote with the members again.

do you consider yourself as someone with confidence? eh? confidence? it's arrogant if i say, "yes, i’m confident", right~? but i think that i am a bit confident in my career. i've had the chance to promote with members that are like family, and opportunities to release music that i'm really satisfied with... i've been able to explore who i am and who i want to be as an artist, and looking back, even though i still want to improve in many areas, i feel good about my image and songs and i think i'll continue to feel good about these things in the future.

what is something important all idols should be aware of? image. it's something that's obvious and that everyone is likely aware of already, but an idol's image is really important— not only for themselves. it's because we're in the public eye, right? and although the public can be harsh at times, idols have to admit that we have a lot of reach and influence. i think it's fine to push boundaries with your image, and with myself, i really want to break down the barriers of various gender roles and ideas, but it's necessary to be careful in doing so. you have to be the change that you want to see, and be careful of others' feelings.

what is something you wish to tell someone who is currently training to be an idol? if i were to give advice... wouldn't it be that they shouldn't give up? if it's their dream to debut, they should keep working towards it. if they feel confident in singing or dancing or rap, they shouldn't give up on training in this area— they should keep working hard to improve it. and if they aren't confident in an area? even if someone tells them that they can't, they should keep trying. with hard work, ambition, i think anything is possible.

what would be something you would like to say to your fans? they're cute. really cute. i've been touring a lot recently, and whenever i look at them from stage, they're always looking up at me really brightly— like meerkats. i think my fans are really attentive, and so, maybe i should tell them "thank you"? i'm thankful to them for supporting me while the members are busy, and i hope that they'll stay by my side until the others can return.

what are your future goals (with group, or solo)? it's simple. right now, i only want to release new music with the members once they finish their service.

part iii: muse survey + experience

current favorite artist? shinee

who would you like to collaborate with in the industry? my friends— jongin, moonkyu, sungwoon, jimin, ravi.

what show would you like to be on? mm... "the call", season two!

celebrity you wish to be close to? lately, i think the nct guys are really cool. i want to become closer to them.

first thing you do in the morning? check my phone.

if given a vacation, where would you like to go? bali! or maybe switzerland?

write up to three personality traits you think you have. ambitious, optimistic, stubborn?

what skills do you feel you lack in? vocals and variety. i feel more confident in singing lately, but i feel that i can always improve. i'm also really awkward at times, on camera.

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