Taemin goes back and forth from naive boy to villain in 'Guilty'

Taemin of K-pop boy band SHINee poses during a press event at Megabox Seongsu in eastern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

In his fourth mini-album “Guilty,” Taemin of K-pop boy band SHINee plays the dual role of a young, naive boy and an unapproachable villain, showcasing two contrasting sides of himself.

“Many people still see me as a young boy,” Taemin, who debuted at the age of 14 in 2008, said during a press event at Megabox Seongsu in eastern Seoul, Monday.

“So, I thought it will be more appealing if I act and perform in a contrasting manner, making myself look more like a mature man."

This duality is most evident in the trailer and music video of the lead single “Guilty,” which has a cinematic feel. In these clips, Taemin first appears as a carefree young man living in a mysterious shelter where unknown watchers monitor him and his friends around the clock. His life seems peaceful in the beginning, but it takes a drastic turn after the watchers force unconscious Taemin to harm his friends, who later, all go missing because of him. After recognizing what he has done, Taemin gets frustrated and ends up transforming himself into a villain.

“I was worried about acting because I do not have much experience,” the black-clad singer recalled. “So I spent a lot of time practicing acting in front of the mirror and asked other people for advice. I tried my best to deliver authenticity.”

According to Taemin, the album “Guilty” captures his musical identity and maturity, offering a glimpse into his evolving artistry.

“I think I am an artist who immerses myself in my character like an actor in a drama or a film,” he explained. “I strive to be seen as the character of my song on stage, and I think this defines who I am.”

The singer also revealed that he becomes selective when it comes to the tunes that make it onto his albums, only including the "tracks that he truly loves."

“I prefer the songs with the messages that I want to impart, such as ‘Think Of You’ (2020) and ‘2 KIDS’ (2020). I believe this is a way to add authenticity to my music and show people who I am.”

In addition to the lead single of the same name, “Guilty” features five other tracks: “The Rizzness,” “Blue,” “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not,” “Not Over You,” “Night Away” and “Blue.”

“Unlike my previous solo releases, ‘Guilty’ offers many tunes that are easy to listen to,” the SM Entertainment star noted. “They also sound like pop songs. In the case of ‘Blue,’ I strongly insisted that it should be part of the album, although my company was hesitant.”

As SHINee celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Taemin showed appreciation to his fans worldwide.

“I am so thankful to my followers for loving me so long,” he said with a beaming smile. “They are now part of my life.”