SHINee and SuperM’s Taemin – 5 things to know about K-pop’s golden boy recovering from a wrist injury
No one compares to dance machine Taemin, the star of boy bands SHINee and SuperM. Because of his unparalleled talent, he is known as his groups’ “golden maknae”, meaning the youngest member who can do everything. Unfortunately for his fans, he has to postpone his solo comeback after injuring his wrist while practising choreography.
While we wait for him to come back, we reveal five things you might not know about one of K-pop’s sweetest personalities as the idol celebrates his 27th birthday on July 18.
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SHINee's debut song Replay didn't have Taemin's voice
“Our debut song Replay does not include my voice. It made me feel sad and disappointed,” Taemin revealed on iHeartRadio, explaining that when he started training at 14, his voice was still going to change, so concentrated especially on singing.
Years later though, he would eventually become the first SM artist to release a solo album while still being promoted as part a group.
He loses things constantly and is known for the 3-chant theory
On Unnie's Radio, Taemin disclosed: “I have a habit of breaking or losing a lot of things, so I have been nicknamed 'Magic Hands'.” He added that TVXQ's Yunho and Exo's Kai are also similar, and they are known in their company as a family of “Magic Hands”.
He is also called K-pop’s “dance machine”, as he is one of the industry's best dancers. In 2017, Taemin sparked the “Move trend” because of the song’s sensual choreography; social media stars and celebs were quick to copy him and try the Move dance, too.
Some fans also believe that chanting “Lee Taemin” three times will get you through hardships and make your wishes come true; it may be unlikely, but the theory became an online trend.
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Taemin is a thoughtful maknae to his SHINee hyungs
In a Soompi TV interview with other members, each of them were asked what they wanted to achieve before they die. Taemin's answer surprised his hyungs (older brothers): “I want to fulfil the requests that the members have for me,” he said, adding that he would therefore have to die last and will work hard to live long.
While other members listen to music or exercise to relieve stress, Taemin said on Soompi TV: “When I'm down, I'm just down. I don't find the energy to find a relief method.”
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As an artist for more than a decade, he feels responsible for safeguarding K-pop’s future
With K-pop at its peak now, Taemin has thought about how to make K-pop not just a trend today but a genre that will stay forever. “I feel that many artists, including myself, need to focus on bringing different styles of music and new things to the market rather than just focusing on what we’ve always done,” he told Billboard.
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He may be out of action for a while after injuring his wrist, but as the star singer turns 27 on July 18, we celebrate a singing sensation intent on keeping K-pop in the global limelight for years to come