So I took a quick look at the fangirl rule book and it seems there are no penalties issued for being a first generation fan of a second generation idol. Lucky for me as I seem to be turning into a repeat offender. Not too long ago I was discovered by Nu’est. Now it seems SHINee’s maknae Lee Taemin has located me. I am next to 100% positive that Taemin’s stalwart fans would stand proud, but not surprised, in knowing that 12 years post-debut, he still attracts new fans. With K-pop, I have been slow to win over in general, and while Taemin has a very robust discography both with SHINee and as a solo artist, his latest release 2 Kids sounded an alarm I was not able to avoid. I’m talking about the kind of alarm that wakes up the senses and triggers emotion kind of alarm.
It has been a while since a musician has hit me with the kind of feels I experienced upon my first listen/MV viewing of 2 Kids. With the combination of his voice, movement, visuals and the atmosphere, Taemin makes a break up and subsequent heartbreak feel like a painful rite of passage, one that offers the realization that blame does not lie with any one individual, but rather with youth itself. Filming in the streets of Paris added an extra layer of emotion to my watch as it is one my all-time favorite cities.
All the scars and traces you left on me
They were love, and still are now . . .
The many beautiful facets of the song and MV come together nicely to create a perfect storm of emotion. I have always believed (and continue to believe) that the goal of an artist is to make us feel something. Taemin has the needle on my feels meter jumping. 2 Kids is a pre-release to his upcoming album, Never Gonna Dance Again. While I patiently await that release, I am going to play catch up by taking some time to dive deep into Taemin’s discography, MVs and yes, even dramas.
I have my work cut out for me, Lee Taemin has been sharing his art for more years than I have been a K-pop fan. There is no downside that, only upside: content, content, and more content!
~♥~
I hope you’ll enjoy delving deep into Taemin’s discography. 💙
Hi Mitch,
First, nice to meet you and thank you for visiting the blog! Now…Taemin! Ok, since 2 Kids I have been on…well, pretty much a bender with his discography. I am discovering that each one of his albums is a masterpiece all unto itself (I have a particular love and attachment to his song, Soldier). I am in deep. 😳 I joined SHINee World immediately and have been so focused on Taemin that I am very close to handing my blog entirely over to him! I said I would never single focus on another idol here, but this baby cheese maknae criminal takes temptation to the next level!
I look forward to his Act 2 and everything else he endeavors to do. He has landed himself a new and devoted fan! Stay safe, take care and again, thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.😘
Hi, Michele. My name’s Michelle too. Nice to meet you. 😊
You made me so happy reading this. Taemin can really do that – draw us in into his art ans before we knew it, we’re well and truly hooked. I’m happy 2 Kids was the instrument that made you get to know him more. Soldier is such a special song and a favourite among many Shawols. 💙 I hope you’d continue to enjoy everything he’s done and will be putting out in the future. You’re also welcome to SHINee World. Hopefully, you’d be able to get to know the four other members too. They’re some of the most amazing people and artists. And they love their maknae. 🥰
I’d love to read more Taemin content so it would be lovely if you’d write about him more. Haha.
Ah, Act 2 will come soon. I can’t wait for it too. So, so happy he gained you as a fan. Stay safe too. 💙
Michelle….the warmth in your message really hit hard in my heart. As I came to the fandom and acknowledgment of Taemin’s talent late, your kind welcome to SHINee World is so incredibly heartwarming. I think some Shawols and in particular Taemints, would probably think that out of all his songs, how was it that 2 Kids was the one to grab a new fan? I don’t know what it is about that song that drew me in so much, it just did. In some ways, I think artists/biases choose us when the time is right, and the medium by which they choose to do it is unimportant. In any event, it opened the door to the wonderful world of Taemin. So I tell myself, yes…you are 12 years late but really all that matters is that you are here! I recall telling a friend who is a long time Shawol that 2 Kids sounded the alarm and when I heard Soldier, that was the ‘I’ve been waiting for you, what took you so long’ hug from Taemin!
I do plan to also dive into SHINee’s extensive discography (I have started purchasing and building a playlist that is already pretty robust).☺️ And, I am slowly getting to know his four big brothers.💙 Also, I think the odds of seeing more Taemin content here are pretty high…hehehe.
Again, thank you so much for your warm words.🥰