Taemin’s expressive eyes are filled with emotion as he gazes out at the sea of diamond-shaped lightsticks. It is a bit past 2 p.m. at Kyung Hee University’s Grand Peace Palace on April 22, 2023, and the first of four RE:ACT fanmeetings has started. It’s the first time Taemin has seen and performed for his fans in person in more than three years.
It’s only been a few weeks since he returned from his one year, 10 months, and five days in mandatory military service, but Taemin is a consummate performer. It’s not as if no time has passed, but more like he’s continued to grow in different ways in the years away. Watching Taemin perform, the word vocation comes to mind — a calling to be on stage. He walks slowly across the stage, making sure to wave at fans sitting on all three floors. A sweet smile lights up his face and rounds his cheeks as screams and waving lightsticks follow his progression. Finally, he takes his place at center stage, clears his throat, and bows deeply. “Hello everyone,” he says. “I’m SHINee’s Taemin.” The idol of idols has finally returned.
“My hiatus was difficult and painful and I felt such longing,” Taemin tells Teen Vogue in his first post-enlistment interview, in between shows on Sunday, April 23. In conversation, The K-pop icon is soft-spoken and eloquent, every emotion is reflected in his eyes. “But then that time away, which felt like forever, ended. When I returned, I feel like I was able to come back as a stronger person … I feel like the inner foundation of the human being Lee Taemin has become stronger."
Taemin’s stage presence is characterized by a quiet, commanding intensity, lithe sensuality, and graceful movement. His voice has grown stronger in his absence. With Taemin, you can trust that even the smallest changes to the choreography, whether it be a finger snap or an extra touch to the face, were added with precision from an artist who understands the poetry he’s creating on stage.
RE:ACT combined performances, talk segments, and games, and it was the perfect intimate setting for Taemin and his fans to reacquaint themselves. Taemin, a self-confessed INFP, served as the MC for all four shows, engaging in playful banter and sincere reflection and reading fan messages. Show highlights included performance of popular challenges, resulting in possibly the most adorable version of the 귀여워서 미안해 챌린지 (I’m Sorry I’m Cute Challenge) as well as the viral NewJeans “Hype Boy” challenge. Meanwhile, the setlist during the approximately hour and a half running length of the show included hits like “Criminal” and “Advice,” alongside notable performances of “Black Rose” and “Snow Flower.” He also did a medley that included “Pansy,” “SAD KIDS,” “Think of You,” “Flame of Love,” “Rise,” and “I Think It’s Love.”
When the last notes of “I Think It’s Love” fade, Taemin smiles softly and waves goodbye. With his final words of “Thank you” and “I am so happy because of you” and “I love you so, so much,” he is gone. For a moment there is a sudden emptiness, as if waking up from a perfect midsummer night’s dream, but then Taemin’s promise to spend all four seasons together from here on out comes to mind. There is so much to look forward to, so much to anticipate from this new chapter of one of the most iconic artists of our time.
Below, hear from Taemin about the days before he enlisted, how his approach to life has changed, and the new music he’s preparing for the future.
Teen Vogue: I still remember how busy you were prior to enlistment. What was going through your mind as that date came right around the corner?
Taemin: I was running at full speed with everything I had. I couldn’t really see what was around me, as I was so focused on the road ahead. Memories from times past would flash before me, a kaleidoscope of memories. I felt like I was saying goodbye to all those times. There were also feelings of emptiness. Even though it was such a difficult reality for me at that time, it also became an opportunity for me to become stronger, to steady myself and be able to rise again. My hiatus was difficult and painful and I felt such longing. But then that time away, which felt like forever, ended. Though some people may view it as a short period of time…
Teen Vogue: It didn’t feel short. It felt like 500 years.
Taemin: (Laughs) When I returned, I feel like I was able to come back as a stronger person. Someone who doesn’t fall apart easily and is more mature. I feel like the inner foundation of the human being Lee Taemin has become stronger.
Teen Vogue: Can you tell me more about the human being Lee Taemin?
Taemin: I was able to take the time to objectively reflect on myself. The way I’ve lived up until now was highly subjective. I believed that what I thought was correct without exception. But I’ve found out what kind of person I am. I’ve discovered what is difficult for me, what causes me stress, what drives me, what makes me really happy, and what brings me a sense of fulfillment.
Looking back…these are such easy questions. If someone were to ask, “What do you like?” then the answer should be “Oh, I like x, y, z.” If someone were to ask, “What is the most important [thing] in life?” I wouldn’t know what to say, as I don’t think it crossed my mind living my life up to that point. I was always busy and lived such a hectic life, the most basic things, like what I like, what my hobbies are, [I didn’t know].
If you asked how I spend the remainder of my day, I don’t think I was a person that spent that time in a meaningful way. I would just think, “Oh, what should I do?” and then it would stop there. But during my hiatus, I was able to learn these things little by little. Now I think my personality/character is closer to that of someone my age.
Teen Vogue: You said you were able to explore what you like, what your hobbies are. What do you like?
Taemin: I think this is really important. Prior, when living my day-to-day life, I would have that kind of vague thought, “I’m going to live and die on the stage.” But to be honest, we are not on stage all 24 hours of the day. If someone asks, “So what are you going to do for the rest of that time?” now I have that answer. I think I’ve learned how to live life. Whether it be developing a hobby, doing an activity, learning something new, meeting a friend, or eating delicious food. I spent time doing all these things. I would meet friends in the evening. I watched a movie by myself once in the theater. I would cover my face and go to places with a lot of people and be like, “Wow! I’m among so many people here at the mall!”
Teen Vogue: Did anyone recognize you?
Taemin: No, no one recognized me!
Teen Vogue: Really?
Taemin: Yes! Oh, I also rode bikes a lot. It was enjoyable, learning how to live each day meaningfully. Of course, everyone needs those days to just be at home and unwind, but I feel like I spent my days too inconsequentially before.
Teen Vogue: During the fanmeeting, you said you would spend evenings monitoring and critiquing your past performances. What were some of the critiques you had?
Taemin: For example, I would watch performances for SHINee’s “Don’t Call Me” and “Code.” “Atlantis” came after. To be honest, we didn’t have much time to prepare for “Atlantis.” If I had practiced more, even if it was hard on me, there would have been a higher degree of completion. Nowadays, all the music shows have solo performance fancams and show the full choreography from beginning to end. When watching, I would think, “Ah, I should have practiced more properly.” Now that I’ve been active in the industry for so long, I know all too well when the camera is focusing on me and when it isn’t. When the camera isn’t on me, I’d be a little *waves arms around and makes a silly face* (laughs).
Teen Vogue: But now that all the music shows have those 4K fancams, it would all be caught on camera.
Taemin: That’s right (laughs).
Teen Vogue: You decided on having a fanmeeting so soon after the end of your enlistment. It must not have been easy having an official schedule so soon after your prolonged absence. Why did you decide to hold a fanmeeting so fast?
Taemin: [I was away] for too long. My hiatus was a bit longer than others. I kept thinking about the promise I had made to meet my fans again on Christmas in 2022. I felt so sorry that I couldn’t keep this promise. And I felt this thirst, “I want to see [my fans] quickly. I want to meet them as soon as possible.” Even if I’m so nervous, I want to hurry and meet them. This thought was at the forefront of my mind. Maybe you can say I was impatient? Even though I would be meeting my fans again through SHINee as we are releasing an album soon, it would mean they would have to wait that much longer. It didn’t feel right to not to [do] anything in the interim.
Teen Vogue: On Instagram Live on your discharge date, you spoke about how you felt nervous and shy being in front of fans again, and I think that was also apparent during the first fanmeeting. I could really see how emotional you were when you first came out. Now that you’ve had three, is that nervousness gone? You’re back to being Taemin, king of the stage and stealer of fans’ hearts?
Taemin: There were several moments throughout where I felt very emotional. Now, it’s a level of nervousness that feels good. I feel, bit by bit, like I’m growing closer and becoming more comfortable with my fans, and I think people watching can feel it too.
Teen Vogue: For your performances, there are several songs that you performed a slightly remixed version of, or, in the case of “Hypnosis,” the concert version. I especially liked the change in narration in “Criminal” from “destroy me more” to “if my everything has to be destroyed in order to stay in your world, I can just drag you down to the ground where I am. Destroy me more." When and why did you decide to change it?
Taemin: Originally, I thought it would be fun to perform “Criminal” in concert like this. Usually, my concerts have an extended stage. As the narration starts, I would react to what’s being said while moving forward on the extended stage. I wanted to perform it with a level of theater, similar to a musical. [Since I couldn’t hold a concert], I thought it would be fun to show this during the fanmeeting and proposed the idea. The lyricist who composed “Criminal” also composed this version as well. I thought with this new version of the narration, I could create a fun variation of “Criminal.” I didn’t want to do it the same way it had been done before.
Teen Vogue: You are preparing SHINee’s album now, and of course your next solo album will also come out at some point. Is there anything new you want to try?
Taemin: For SHINee, we’ve tried so many things. One thing I want to do is a refreshing, SHINee-like concept, sparkling and cool. Another one is hip-hop. A hip-hop base, something that SHINee hasn’t done before. A hip-hop track that has some soul, a base sound inspired by music during the ‘80s and ‘90s. For me, I would like to try collaboration with other artists if the timing works out. When it comes time to record my album, my thoughts may change but that’s what I’m thinking of now.
Teen Vogue: If you could recommend one of your songs to listen to while waiting for Taemin’s next chapter what would it be?
Taemin: “I Think It’s Love.” It’s a song that brings warmth, and I think that you won’t grow tired of it, even if you listen to it a few times. It’s a song that’s nice to just have playing in the background.
Teen Vogue: And lastly, a message for your fans?
Taemin: Thank you so much for waiting for me. I love you. I am so excited thinking about the many days that lie ahead that we will spend together. I hope you will also be excited thinking about this. I will make you feel proud to be a SHAWOL.
Note: This interview was conducted in Korean by Stacy Nam, who also translated the conversation.
