[TAEMIN] 180724 Dazed Korea August 2018
2018. 07. 24
You must be hungry, right? How about eating as we do the interview?
T: Sure. I have not eaten yet.
You said you wanted to eat a chicken teriyaki lunch box like the one you had for the last photoshoot right?
T: That’s exactly appropriate. The amount of it, the taste of it too. Because it’s high in protein, it’s good for diet too.
Do you diet?
T: I manage/maintain(myself). I am also constantly doing weight training. If I don’t exercise but body aches instead. (laughs) There’s a huge difference when I am performing on stage when I exercise and when I don’t. My condition is definitely way better when I exercise. But are you not going to eat together?
I will eat the Choco Haim(a snack) here. Do while eating comfortably.
T: (Close back the cover of the lunch box that he opened) Then I will eat after the interview has ended. I think it’s right that way.
It’s okay even if you just eat while we do it(interview).
T: No. I thought about it, I eat really fast. It would be more comfortable for me to eat after the interview. (laughs)
Seems like you laugh a lot. Are you feeling like that nowadays?
T: I am not in my right mind/I can’t think clearly because I am in the midst of a promotion. I am working hard to live enjoyably and happily as much as I can. But seeing as I can’t think clearly, I am missing out on a lot. I can’t help it since I am in the midst of promoting.
* ‘Not in my right mind’ means he can’t really think through things because he is too busy to do anything else.
We will not be doing topics that are related to SHINee maknae or Taemin who dances today.
T: Ah, really? Then?
The vocalist I am interestingly thinking of is Taemin-ssi. Personally.
T: Really? (Laughs) I am feeling good/happy.
What are you thinking right now?
T: I really like it. A character is a singer’s life right. Actually, there are really a lot more people that sing better than I do. However, I think that one’s identity is as important as one’s capability. It’s an extremely happy thing to have someone knowing about my voice.
I can feel your confidence in your song/singing.
T: I think I am slowly finding something that is more ‘me.’ As a singer. For that, hard work is important and external effects like luck or timing are also important too right. In the past, I wanted to do well no matter what. I think it’s because I did it that way that I became unhappy. I feel stressed too.
What do you think is the most important thing right now?
T: Starting from some point, self-satisfaction became most important. Regardless of whether if it’s voice or dance or something that I like the most, I want to do something ‘Taemin-ish.’ I thought of exactly that when I was working on my album <MOVE>.’ The 'me' right now is like that. Even though I could have a change of heart and want to do other things. I feel that my identity became clearer through <MOVE>.
How would it be to sing ‘Taemin-ish’?
T: I want to do it with a little catharsis feel. To the ones who are listening. Nowadays, when I sing and when I dance, I would really indulge in one something. It’s different from just wanting to do it cooly. I really work hard to love myself.
I like ‘Press Your Number’ that was included in the first solo album. I watched the music video today too.
T: The music video for ‘Press Your Number’ is really cool, isn’t it? The music videos I like the most are ‘Drip Drop’ and ‘Press Your Number.’ But if I were, to be honest, my taste and heart at that time and now have changed slightly. (laughs)
How did it change?
T: If you are asking what, if I was blazing and full of passion, with the need to show something when I was promoting with ‘Press Your Number, I think I am cool and awesome just by standing still on stage right now. (laughs)
Does it mean you have become arrogant somehow?
T: (laughs) You kinda hear it that way, don’t you? It’s not like that, it’s just that I have ended up working hard to make a difference in that way.
You are the type of personality that needs to see the end of something you do, regardless of what is it right?
T: Yes, I am that kind. (laughs)
What about becoming the best, the first?
T: No. It’s totally no longer that way anymore. I like senior Jawoorim’s Kim YoonA. She doesn’t seem like she is trying hard in trying to show something. It gives me a thought that she just does something she wants clearly/distinctively. I want to become firm like that too. In case I became the best, if I become like that, what do I want to do next? There’s nothing. I came to know that rather than becoming first, the best, it’s more important to do it enjoyably. It’s a goal when it’s a goal that sees no end to it.
Do you want to tell your story through your song?
T: Of course. Definitely. Not the kind that uses techniques or whatsoever. I just want to give a sense of touch that hits the heart and lingering imagery.
You are talking about hitting the heart.
T: I really like Sia. She said she lived through life with many bends/curves right. I don’t know if I listen to it after knowing that but I think her songs aren't acting but reality. I thought, isn’t this real music then. I want to do something like that too. I don’t know what kind of genre, what kind of song but really my story.
There are times when I feel like tearing up when Taemin’s voice comes out in between the melodies, whether if it’s SHINee’s song or solo songs. I don't know myself too, as to why does it happen.
T: Hmm, I always have a thought to have different feelings/emotion as the others. It’s my greed. I am not a person to sing computatively. It’s a sad song, I must definitely sing it sadly. That’s not it. I am the kind to sing according to the emotions and feelings I felt the moment I stand on stage. It could be that you know how to see those moments, to empathize that you could be feeling that way too.
Are you still going to the church?
*(Asking if Taemin goes regularly)
T: I am not going that well(that much) nowadays. (laughs) Even so, I would go once around Christmas to make an end to the year. I would do self-mortification too*.
Self-mortification is where you confess all your wrongdoings right. Do you really confess everything?
T: Honestly. I can’t tell stories that are really deep in me well. I am the kind to get scolded by the priest because I can’t go to the church that frequently. It really funny when I do self-mortification. (laughs)
Even so, do you more relaxed when you visit the church?
T: That’s right. I went there every day when I was really depressed and tired. I just sat there and left. I relied on it a lot when I am tired. However, nowadays, I am not sure if it’s because I am getting older, rather than relying on somewhere when I have something tiring, I would solve it on my own. In the end, it’s a problem between a person and another person, isn’t it?
I thought you would have obviously grown into an adult but seeing you today, your face is exactly as it is when you first debut. Especially when you are smiling right now.
T: I maintained my image in the past too. But I know now that all of those are meaningless and useless. It’s fine as long as I like it, right. I want to live like a middle school student too when I reach 30. I hope to be someone who knows how to be happy with the smallest things. I hope to be someone who knows how to laugh brightly over the smallest things.
I am hearing it as something really adult-like.
T: Really? It can’t be that way though… I want to live without thinking of anything. That’s because I would become depressed if the things I think get more. (laughs)
Hungry is also a way to become depressed. I will stop now. Hurry up and eat.
T: Then, bye.
note: Sorry if my expression offended anyone or caused any religious issue. I hope these are the right expressions used.