[TAEMIN] FOLLOW: Gyeonggi-DO with TAEMIN
original PDF: https://t.co/oaaIjB12YH?amp=1
FOLLOW: TRAVELLING GYEONGGI-DO with TAEMIN
NOW & THEN
Ask TAEMIN
Taemin who debuted as SHINee during middle school. The baby-faced SHINee’s maknae who dances well has turned into a marvelous man who has released 5 solo albums before one knows. Whenever Taemin releases a new album, he would always stand on stage with an expression that seems new. Embracing the curiosity and tossing a question mark at the story that he is going to continue on in the future.
Listen about his music and performance, his personal time, and travels too.
Q. How is Taemin spending his time nowadays? Let us know about your day.
T: I am taking time to look back at myself nowadays. I will do some monitoring while looking at my past stage clips and I am also consistently practicing too. It could be thought as a time I am diligently taking to pull myself into shape. Firstly, I will start my day by doing some light stretches to loosen up my body after I wake up. It’s like a habit. If I don’t stretch regularly, my body will get weighed down without me knowing when I dance so I am diligently doing it. Hmm, I think I usually watch Youtube before I sleep. I am consistently researching on what are the trend nowadays. I have danced this kind of dance before in the past but nowadays, another kind of dance is the trend, it changes really quickly. No matter how I see it, I am familiar with the ones that I have been doing since back then based on my years of experience. I do think that I need to make an effort not to remain in what I am familiar in. That’s why, I work hard usually to go along with the new flow.
Q. We would like to hear about the things that you like recently. What are the things that singer Taemin and the normal Taemin who is born in 1993 like?
T. As a singer, I definitely like to communicate with my fans through music. I created an SNS account and personally picked the pictures to upload, it’s really fun to see my fans liking it. I am communicating a lot with my fans while sharing my normal daily life. Taemin who is born in 1993 likes active activities. I like to play game with my friends and I like to exercise too. I also like to capture the scenery that I came across through pictures when I am on the move to carry out my schedule. These kind of experiences refreshes me. That helps me to exert good energy when I return back to being the singer Taemin.
Q. It’s your 6th solo debut anniversary. The cover stage of Taemin’s first solo track ‘Danger’ on ‘Road to Kingdom’ has been a huge topic recently. Do you remember the filming site of ‘Danger’s MV? It was at Cheongsim Peace World Center in Gyeonggi-do. The affection while preparing for your 1st solo would have been different… How was the atmosphere at the filming site?
T. As much as it’s my solo debut track, it was filled with passion as compared to any other time. It was a music video filming that I put all my passion into with the greed to do well, I have a lot of affection for it. I was really nervous too since it was my first solo and the pressure I felt was extremely huge too. I really worked so hard for it that I didn’t even know how hard was it. Usually, there are lots of time where filming a music video requires staying up for a few nights. When I was filming for ‘Danger,’ I don’t know if it was because I was so focused that the time passed so fast to the extent I was like ‘It has already ended?’
Q. Can you tell us about the stage that is the most impressionable to you and its reason why it’s impressionable?
T. ‘Danger’s music video is the most impressionable one. I think it was a chance where I was able to create a new identity of my own. It was fun at the filming site too and I went on an insane diet for the very first time for that day. Of course, there’s a possibility that it’s because it’s my first solo track (laughs). At the time, the person who worked on the choreography for ‘Danger’ was an extremely famous choreographer called Ian Eastwood. The choreography was really good. The process of making a new stage of my style was really interesting and fun. I think that’s why it’s impressionable. I think even if a few years have passed, it will still be the same.
Q. You are gaining heated popularity from global KPOP fans with SHINee, SuperM and solo activities as a singer. What does KPOP mean to that Taemin?
T. I think KPOP’s influence is getting bigger too as it receives attention globally. I feel proud as much as it’s the work hard of lots of people. That makes me think that I really need to work even harder. I want to contribute in making KPOP known to the world. That’s why when I try out different things, I stand on stage with an attitude of ‘Don’t be afraid.’ I put things like fear aside for a moment and sincerely present the ones I prepared hard for.
Q. We think that world tour performances are helping you grow too. Do share if there’s any special episode and a memorable experience you had.
T. There are times when I go to that province and do something when I go for an overseas performance. Whether if it’s shopping or sightseeing. Those kinds of new experiences will be memorable in the end. It’s fascinating that it’s of a totally different scenery as Korea. The color of sky is different, no doubt the weather that I was able to feel, the things I eat and the way of communication too is different. At times like that, it made me realize that the world that I still don’t know is this big. I would like to try out new experiences that I have never done before if I have the time. Also, there are people who could recognize me when I am travelling. The fact that there are people who could recognize me on the streets in an unfamiliar country that I am visiting for the very first time itself excites and fascinates me. Those experiences become my turning point every time. It makes me feel a sense of determination to work harder thinking that ‘Ah! There are people who are looking over me and liking me at places that I don’t know too.’
Q. We see that you are always embarking on a new trip always. If that’s the case, what kind of travelling style does Taemin prefer?
T. A trip towards the nature! Places like the mountain, the valley and the sea. I like to personally take in the view and scenery made by mother nature with my eyes. It really helps to ventilate my thoughts when I go deep into nature. It helps a lot too when I am creating something new. Looking at that, Gyeonggi-do has mountain, valley and sea too. There are lots of activity that would be enjoyed in the nature too. If you are a fan that share the same travel style as I do, it would be nice to plan a travel course with Gyeonggi-do too.
Q. Are you the kind that enjoys impromptu travels? Or are you the kind that needs to make a detailed plan before you leave for the trip?
T. Firstly, I am the kind to decide on the whole idea of the trip. I would decide on the trip’s concept first, whether if this trip is going to be a relaxation trip, a gourmet trip or a trip to learn something etc, before leaving. Then after arriving at the destination, I will travel within the frame that I have decided on freely. There are times when I go on an impromptu trip too sometimes. Times like that, I will go on trips near Seoul and return within the day. The within-a-day travel destination that I would like to recommend is Yangpyeong. Without any special plan, just by going on a drive following the path of the north Han river is healing. Also, there are lots of cafes and bakeries with good views so I would recommend it to those who likes sweet desserts.
Q. What do you normally do at the travel destination?
T. I try to experience all the things that I can. I trek, I enjoy activities too and when I am feeling worn out, I will stop over at a place where I can heal to rest too. I will try to learn if there are things I can learn and I tend to travel while having interest in things that could be of a new experience to me.
Q. There are lots of drama filming and music video filming that are taking place in Gyeonggi-do nowadays. Fans would find their way here personally because of that so if there are fans that would like to plan a Gyeonggi-do trip, we are curious about what kind of places would you like to recommend.
T. Personally, I remember that the army stew that I ate Uijeongbu was really delicious. It’s to the extent that I would like to recommend it to my fans. The broth was really amazing. It’s no doubt that the broth brews thicker as it boils longer, it’s really nice to be able to try out a variety of ingredients in one go. Isn’t all trip a gourmet trip? I have been to Gapyeong before to film a music video. It’s already a very famous place as a Gyeonggi-do travel destination. (Laughs) If you are a fan that likes the nature like I do, I would really like to recommend it to you guys. Among them, Gapyeong ‘Garden of Morning Calm’ is a place where one can have a walk while capturing the nature with your eyes. It’s really good for those who need some healing of the mind. Also, Gapyeong also has a variety of leports (leisure + sports) that could satisfy fans who like active activities too. It would be good to try experiencing refreshing and thrilling water leisure sports with your family or friends as shown on TV variety programs.
Q. You said ‘I want to create a genre called Taemin’. What’s your forwarding plan musically and personally?
T. I want to establish and firm up the identity of my own even more. I want to create a stage and music with an identity and not me chasing after anyone. Rather than saying that it’s ‘A Taemin-ish music,’ I want to create a new path of my own that no one has ever walked on before. It would be good to be curious of what kind of music and stage will the next ‘Taemin’ create.
I am preparing a lot for my next album right now too.
I am going to work hard in the future too so do show lots of interest in me.
