✨ 190422 - Taemin’s interview for ‘Barks’

SHINee’s Taemin will hold a nationwide tour <TAEMIN ARENA TOUR 2019> from June. Following the <TAEMIN Japan 1st TOUR~SIRIUS~> held in 2018, the second solo nationwide tour for the second year in a row will expand the scale of the venue from the previous one, starting with the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Hokkaido on June 8 and ending with Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka on August 7, visiting arena venues nationwide Japan. It should show us a scaled-up stage in an arena with 14 performances in 6 locations.

One day in April, BARKS interviewed Taemin, who had just finished autographing his first photo book “PORTRAIT” and recording the Nippon TV program “Shabekuri 007”. Soft and gentlemanly. Taemin’s dignified and artistic appearance on stage is also unique, but the 25 year old is grateful for the opportunity to appear on talk variety shows and interact with Japanese fans up close, and his true face dwells in the expression that cherishes it.

His impressions of appearing in “Shabekuri 007”, the secret story of shooting the first photo book “PORTRAIT”, the artist looking back on the previous tour <TAEMIN Japan 1st TOUR~SIRIUS~> Taemin’s current location, and his premonition for the arena tour <TAEMIN ARENA TOUR 2019> I would like to introduce the interview with the photos taken carefully.

— You will be making a guest appearance on the variety show “Shabekuri 007” (Nippon TV) which will be broadcasted on April 22, but when did you decide to appear on the program first?
Taemin: I was surprised. It’s a very powerful show, and Japanese people watch it a lot, so I was excited from the moment it was decided. I was nervous the whole time during the recording, and I don’t remember much of it (laughs).

— Have you been entertained by the host, Shinya Ueda, and other comedians?
Taemin: Yes. Moreover, everyone’s speaking speed is fast! I was nervous, and it was even more difficult because I couldn’t hear some things (laughs). However, I think this "Shabekuri 007" was a huge experience for me. It was a good opportunity to show myself to people who didn’t know me yet, and I’m sure the people who have been supporting me for a long time will be happy.

— I see. So, could you give a message to those who first got to know Taemin in "Shabekuri 007"?
Taemin: (Being shy) Well, nice to meet you. My name is Taemin and I’m active in a group called SHINee. I think you saw me solo this time, but I also want to be very proud of the team SHINee. We are an energetic group with distinct personalities, so if you know me this time, please watch SHINee's performance. Thank you in advance!

— I hope more people will learn about SHINee. By the way, Taemin's 1st solo photo book "PORTRAIT", which is on sale, debuted at No. 1 in the Oricon weekly book ranking "photo books" genre. That’s great!
Taemin: First of all, there were so many people who were waiting for my photo book. I couldn't believe it, and I was happy. I'm happy to show everyone pictures of a 25 year old with a lot of energy.

— Again, what is the concept of the photo book "PORTRAIT"?
Taemin: "Taemin running away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life" (laughs). But actually, rather than "running away," I think they were able to take pictures of my relaxed facial expressions with a little free time. It was impressive to eat delicious food for the first time in Okinawa, where it was shot, and I was really into the famous Soki soba* and Agu pork**. I used to eat it every night (laughs). I also experienced scuba diving, and even though I went there for shooting, I was quite refreshed.

*Soki soba: It’s a noodle soup typical from Okinawa (It’s also known as “Okinawa soba”)
**Agu pork: Black pig from Okinawa. Its meat is one of the most popular in the region.

— I heard that Okinawa was your own choice.
Taemin: That's right. I had been there before to shoot a music video for SHINee (“Boys Meet U”), and at that time I couldn't go sightseeing due to my schedule, but the view of the sea and nature I saw while traveling were wonderful. Even before I hearing about this photo book, I often told the staff that I wanted to go to Okinawa. So this time I made the request, and I was waiting for the day of the shoot with excitement.

— It was a long-cherished wish, wasn't it? What were the most impressive locations and shooting scenes?
Taemin: The whole thing was really good, but the shots taken on the cliffs in the sea are impressive. I could enjoy the view all the way to the other side and smell the scent of the sea. I was caught by the wonderful sight, so I was not afraid at all even in a place like a precipice.

— So, what is your favorite photo?
Taemin: I would like to say "all of them," but this photo was taken in a beautiful evening. It's very memorable. It's beautiful when you look at it in the photos, but I feel that there were some things that could only be felt there, such as colors and atmosphere. When I look at that photo, I can always remember how impressed I was when I saw the sunset.

— Throughout the entire photo collection, what kind of expressions do you expect us to see?
Taemin: I was on a solo tour last year, and all I had left (to finish the tour) was the last performance in Tokyo. That's why I think there are some resolute expressions. There are a lot of smiles in the photos during the day, but sentimental emotions naturally come out at night, so I want everyone to pay attention to such changes. Now that I'm 25 years old, there were moments when I was thinking about the future directions and was a little lost in thoughts.

— To celebrate the release of the photo book, an autograph session was held at Fukuya Bookstore Shinjuku Subnade. What was the reaction of the fans?
Taemin: I received "congratulations" from most people. Because of the release of the solo photo book, the arena tour , and the appearance of "Shabekuri 007". Since many people were saying "congratulations", it felt like it was my birthday (laughs).

— Ahahahaha. It was a valuable opportunity to meet the fans who have always supported you.
Taemin: Yes. It's hard to meet or talk that closely. Some people were nervous, and some people came full of energy saying: “I'll give Taemin-kun power!" and it was an important time where everyone's emotions were conveyed directly.

— A Blu-ray & DVD containing the final performance of your first nationwide solo tour <TAEMIN Japan 1st TOUR ~SIRIUS~> last year is also on sale now. Looking back, what kind of tour was it?
Taemin: There was a lot of tension and pressure that I won't forget, but the 32 performances were a very productive time for me to grow and experience. I feel that I learned again the importance of creating a stage with the fans and staff. When I performed with SHINee, in a sense, I was committed to doing my best and keep my role going, but in my solo performances, I began to see the people who supported me closer. I also communicated with the dancers and staff in my own way, and it was a time when strong bonds were formed.

— Starting with a fantastic production of the opening, the stage with various ideas is a masterpiece. Each song was so complete and artistic, breathtaking.
Taemin: Thank you very much. Since the hall tour is close to the audience, we made it with the intention of making everyone sympathize. Then, in order to properly express the concept and world view of each song, I challenged myself to dance a wide range of dances and played the piano. At first, I was so nervous about playing the piano that my hands were shaking, but as the performances progressed, I gradually got used to it, and I was able to see everyone's faces and expressions. That process was also fun for me.

— I think many fans are looking forward to your first arena tour starting in June. How are your enthusiasm for the second consecutive nationwide tour?
Taemin: I'm really grateful. Right now, while the other members of SHINee are a little bit away, I want to work hard and grow, so that I can “explode” even more when I get together with SHINee again. While each member is experiencing new things, I want to do what I can now and grow.

— It may be a little early, but have you decided on the contents of the arena tour?
Taemin: No, nothing has been decided yet (laughs). However, I hope everyone can enjoy Taemin, which can only be seen one day at a time (during the tour). At first, I might be nervous, but then I will gradually relax, make a little mistake and show an expression that tells that I’m in trouble... (laughs) That's the real thrill of live performances, and I hope it will be a special performance for everyone rather than doing it perfectly from start to finish. As an overall highlight, I would like to show you my new image as I have grown through the hall tour. Musically, I want to try a style that I've never done before, and I'm actually looking for that kind of music right now.

— Do you have any image of the stage set and outfits from now on?
Taemin: Yes. But somehow, I want to make the stage flashy and glamorous. I think the hall tour was a rather flashy performance, but it was a strong atmosphere that took it to the next level. It's more like an adult than a boyish image. Please look forward to it. I will deliver a wonderful stage!

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Credits: Barks
JPN - ENG translation: @DiamondTaem