✨ 160907 - Taemin’s interview with “COMO” magazine

This summer, Taemin started his first solo career in Japan. He usually works with the reliable members as a member of SHINee, so he thought that his solo work would be a good thing, but he seems to be unexpectedly popular?

Taemin: No, it would be lonely. When I’m in the dressing room, I sometimes wonder “Why isn't everyone here?”. However, I want to get along with the staff around me and spend a lot of time chatting with them, so it’s ok. I think I can do it. (laughs)

The staff burst out laughing at Taemin’s words. The members aren’t here, but the bond with the staff seems to support Taemin. In fact, during the interview, the staff quickly took notes of Japanese words that Taemin couldn’t catch, and later gave feedback to him.

Taemin: I don’t have much confidence in my Japanese, but I’ll do my best to improve through my activities. Actually, even in Korea, I tend not to talk in interviews, but thanks to this activity, I have more opportunities to talk alone, and I’m able to talk more and more. If I don’t speak, no one will speak for me (laughs).
That’s about the only thing that has changed from normal, but I don’t think there are many things that are different. Whether it’s with the members or working alone, I work hard just as much. However, I still feel the pressure of being a soloist. SHINee has 5 people, so I wondered how I could fill the same amount of energy as just 1 person. I haven’t solved it yet, but I’m looking for a way. SHINee is my greatest pride.
When I was preparing this album (Sayonara Hitori), I didn’t have many chances to meet the members, so I didn’t receive any advice from them. But we’ve been together for about 10 years now, so I don’t think we need more words. Even if we don’t talk about it, we know each other. Each one goes their own way, and that’s fine.

This album also has the charm of a Taemin that couldn’t yet be seen in SHINee. In particular, the title track ‘Sayonara Hitori’ is a song that Taemin fell in love with when he asked for it.

Taemin: The moment I heard the melody of ‘Sayonara Hitori’, I felt like I wanted to sing that song. I liked it so much that I talked with the producer about it. The Asian style melody lines are impressive, but I’ve always wondered how I can express myself in the world.
I think the dance also expressed the world of the lyrics well. Although it’s an intense dance, it has a choreography that delicately incorporates emotions. For example, in the case of a song like ‘Everybody’, I put more emphasis on strong dance than lyrics, but for ‘Sayonara Hitori’, there was a strong sense of swaying, and I thought it wouldn’t fit just for me. I wanted to dance while cherishing the songs. Koharu Sugawara, who choreographed this song, had the same idea as me, and she thought about how to express the world view of the song through dance, and I really liked it.
This mini-album contains a total of 5 songs, but I’m sure that even small children will like ‘Final Dragon’. I myself was embarrassed about the first part, and I was worried whether I could do well during the recording (laughs).
Someday, when I can do a concert on my own, I want to create a stage where I can sympathize with everyone. Where we can sing and have fun together. But when I want to concentrate and sing, I want everyone to listen carefully (laughs).

— What were you like when you were a child?
Taemin: I was the kind of kid who would go out to play and wouldn’t come home until my mom came to call me. And I was mischievous. For example, flushing the water while my brother was in the bathroom (laughs). I didn’t get yelled at so much because I was quick to escape. It was like that until I was about 7 years old. But even now, I secretly hide behind doors and surprise the members. I’ve always had good motor skills, and I was the kind of kid who could climb anywhere. Also, because of my popularity among girls... When I was walking with my mother, I was always surrounded by older girls I didn’t know. But for me, it was natural, and I never felt that I was particularly popular (laughs). I was an introvert, so I always hid behind my mom.

— What kind of dad do you think you will be in the future?
Taemin: If I had a son, I would like to be an exemplary dad who would be a good role model for him. I want to be and inspiration for them as they grow up. But rather than strictly disciplining them, I want to raise my child so that they can always feel happy. That’s why I want to leave the scolding part to the mom (laughs). What an unfair dad (laughs). If it’s a girl, I think it’s going to take more time than a son, and I think there’s a delicate side, so I’m going to be very careful. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, I want to be the kind of parent that when my kids are asked: “Do you like mom or dad the most?” they’ll answer “I like dad the most!”. Although I can’t choose between my parents, I like both of them (laughs).

— What would your ideal family be like?
Taemin: I think there will be fights sometimes, but I want to have a family where the happiness that each person envisions is pointing in one direction, and we can walk together toward happiness, and we can think of each other as our greatest ally. My family isn’t that clingy, and I started out in society early on, so it’s more like a group of people who go their own way. I also want my child to do the work they want to do. Even if they choose the same path as me, I would like to support them if they seem to become something from my point of view. I want to teach them everything I know, and I want to do my best to support them in what they want to do.

— How would you like your child to dress/look like?
Taemin: If it’s a boy, I would like him to dress neatly, someting like an English-style set-up suit. Like a British child model (laughs). Trying on jeans, sunglasses, hair styles and makeup. I’d also like to try matching outfits. If it’s a girl, I would like her to be dressed like a doll. Can I take a look at this? (He looks at the samples in a magazine carefully, but it seems that it’s difficult to find it) Would it be a bit exaggerated if it’s a dress? But I really would like to raise her with femininity. On the other hand, what if she grows up a tomboy? I think I will look back on my childhood and reflect on it. Even my parents had such a hard time raising their children (laughs).

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Credits: “COMO” Magazine (2016)
Scans: @supernoona_TM
JPN - ENG translation: @DiamondTaem