Taemin said the concept of the song and video came from a 1957, book he had read, 'L 'Erotisme by French philosopher George Bataille. That had inspired Taemin. George Bataille expressed his desire to explore complex emotions.
As with many of Taemin's solos, this song is conveying A LOT, specifically Taemin's internal struggle regarding the boundary between good and evil that he is constantly treading while being a celebrity. Some things you need to always think about when interpreting Taemin's lyrics: 1) The simplest explanation is NOT the true interpretation (opposite from the philosophical argument of Occam's razor). 2) Taemin is both a devout Catholic and deeply into philosophy; he regularly explores various world philosophies. 3) Many of Taemin's lyrics are directed inward to his psyche and history, spanning a storyline illustrating different philosophies as his concepts for each song. 4) Taemin uses those philosophies, along with religious symbolism, metaphors, and allusions, to illustrate their conflict with his Christian faith. So, when putting all that together, we need to look at all the details to figure out the deeper, true meaning behind the surface reading of the lyrics. In short, this is not about a toxic relationship between a couple as a simple reading of the lyrics may indicate. It's in fact the continuation of his struggle between the the two egos in his mind: the demon tempting him to lose himself within the perks of his celebrity life clashing with his Christian beliefs and desire to adhere to his Christian worldview. As Taemin has indicated, this story of his personal conflicts also plays out in his MVs/songs for "Want", "Famous", "Criminal", "IDEA" (in fact the entire "Never Gonna Dance Again" Acts 1 & 2 albums), and "Advice". For this particular song/MV, Taemin indicated that he researched both "Demian" by Hermann Hesse and "Eroticism: Death and Sensuality" by Georges Bataille, a French philosopher. His concept is that of guilt and how humans process their guilt. For Taemin, this is displayed through the character he plays of Abraxas (depicted wearing a headdress; gnostic demigod of a heretical sect, the Basilides, later referred to as a demon). However, Taemin also plays the character of himself being tormented by this demon who constantly plagues him. The entire song is a dialogue between Abraxas and Taemin. During the dialogue, Taemin is struggling (the choreo) to fight off being possessed and swallowed by Abraxas. We see Taemin walking through institutions of his memory such as a school (which, as an introvert, he hated), hospital/mental institution (brainwashing), and training center (SM?), always being controlled and in situations that produce temptations to go against his values. If he is not constantly vigilant, "....when you've caught on (Abraxas), I'm already gone (Taemin)." In other words, he will lose himself instantly because the temptations are so appealing and addictive. The "poison apple" is the bait, (just like in "Want") ..."want a bite?" "Just a little more, that's all it takes." "Gift you once as a bait, then I (Abraxas) take everything." The demon is the father of lies. The pre-chorus and chorus are actually further dialogue between Taemin (pre-chorus) and Abraxas (chorus): [Pre-chorus] Ooh-ooh (On that vague border between good and bad) You played the fool for me (My judgment in the final moment) [Chorus] Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh You got me G-U-I-L-T-Y Trick and take everything from you Again, just playing a game all for fun Hundreds of lies Ooh yeah Taemin is a genius when it comes to interweaving layers of meanings into his lyrics and leaving us spellbound, trying to arrive at the deepest view into his psyche. This is why he is the ultimate artist for me. While his dancing entrances and captivates me as no other, it's his lyrical and musical prowess that truly holds me spellbound, while also gratifying my desire for deeper, meaningful Christian messaging that is lacking in regular, Western Christian music. Thanks for reacting to our shining SHINee Taemin!
For title tracks Taemin likes concepts that make us think, question and feel, even if it makes us uncomfortable. From what I've read about this MV it's about a toxic relationship however , what's interesting it's like Taemin is singing the part of the abuser and dancing the part of the abused (until he breaks free 6:30) is it a toxic relationship within himself or a toxic relationship between the Industry and being an Idol. (Trainee at 12, first debut at 14 (SHINee), first solo artist to debut (2014) from a boy group in SM maybe even the whole K-pop Industry (fans - please correct me if I'm wrong on this fact ). I highly encourage you go down the Taemin/SHINee rabbit hole, it's so worth it. They have been in the Industry for 15 years and still going strong. I also encourage you to watch it again keeping in mind that we are probably seeing an older Taemin reflecting on his past (younger self). Reply
Taemin has talked about the literature that inspired this concept: Erotism: Death and Sensuality by Georges Bataille and Demian by Hermann Hesse. Love that Taemin decided to do things his own way with his own colors. I don't see anyone else doing this concept, or even the way in which he does it. Just stunning! NEXT WANT,2KIDS,Criminal ,IDEA, ADVICE
Taemin said the concept of the song and video came from a 1957, book he had read, 'L 'Erotisme by French philosopher George Bataille. That had inspired Taemin. George Bataille expressed his desire to explore complex emotions.
Like how you explained it
Please react to these songs of Taemin : Advice,Danger,Criminal,Idea,Sayonara Hitori
As with many of Taemin's solos, this song is conveying A LOT, specifically Taemin's internal struggle regarding the boundary between good and evil that he is constantly treading while being a celebrity.
Some things you need to always think about when interpreting Taemin's lyrics:
1) The simplest explanation is NOT the true interpretation (opposite from the philosophical argument of Occam's razor).
2) Taemin is both a devout Catholic and deeply into philosophy; he regularly explores various world philosophies.
3) Many of Taemin's lyrics are directed inward to his psyche and history, spanning a storyline illustrating different philosophies as his concepts for each song.
4) Taemin uses those philosophies, along with religious symbolism, metaphors, and allusions, to illustrate their conflict with his Christian faith.
So, when putting all that together, we need to look at all the details to figure out the deeper, true meaning behind the surface reading of the lyrics. In short, this is not about a toxic relationship between a couple as a simple reading of the lyrics may indicate. It's in fact the continuation of his struggle between the the two egos in his mind: the demon tempting him to lose himself within the perks of his celebrity life clashing with his Christian beliefs and desire to adhere to his Christian worldview. As Taemin has indicated, this story of his personal conflicts also plays out in his MVs/songs for "Want", "Famous", "Criminal", "IDEA" (in fact the entire "Never Gonna Dance Again" Acts 1 & 2 albums), and "Advice".
For this particular song/MV, Taemin indicated that he researched both "Demian" by Hermann Hesse and "Eroticism: Death and Sensuality" by Georges Bataille, a French philosopher. His concept is that of guilt and how humans process their guilt. For Taemin, this is displayed through the character he plays of Abraxas (depicted wearing a headdress; gnostic demigod of a heretical sect, the Basilides, later referred to as a demon). However, Taemin also plays the character of himself being tormented by this demon who constantly plagues him. The entire song is a dialogue between Abraxas and Taemin. During the dialogue, Taemin is struggling (the choreo) to fight off being possessed and swallowed by Abraxas.
We see Taemin walking through institutions of his memory such as a school (which, as an introvert, he hated), hospital/mental institution (brainwashing), and training center (SM?), always being controlled and in situations that produce temptations to go against his values. If he is not constantly vigilant, "....when you've caught on (Abraxas), I'm already gone (Taemin)." In other words, he will lose himself instantly because the temptations are so appealing and addictive. The "poison apple" is the bait, (just like in "Want") ..."want a bite?" "Just a little more, that's all it takes." "Gift you once as a bait, then I (Abraxas) take everything." The demon is the father of lies.
The pre-chorus and chorus are actually further dialogue between Taemin (pre-chorus) and Abraxas (chorus):
[Pre-chorus]
Ooh-ooh
(On that vague border between good and bad)
You played the fool for me
(My judgment in the final moment)
[Chorus]
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
You got me G-U-I-L-T-Y
Trick and take everything from you
Again, just playing a game all for fun
Hundreds of lies
Ooh yeah
Taemin is a genius when it comes to interweaving layers of meanings into his lyrics and leaving us spellbound, trying to arrive at the deepest view into his psyche. This is why he is the ultimate artist for me. While his dancing entrances and captivates me as no other, it's his lyrical and musical prowess that truly holds me spellbound, while also gratifying my desire for deeper, meaningful Christian messaging that is lacking in regular, Western Christian music.
Thanks for reacting to our shining SHINee Taemin!
Thanks for the comprehensive summary. Taemin is a genius
For title tracks Taemin likes concepts that make us think, question and feel, even if it makes us uncomfortable. From what I've read about this MV it's about a toxic relationship however , what's interesting it's like Taemin is singing the part of the abuser and dancing the part of the abused (until he breaks free 6:30) is it a toxic relationship within himself or a toxic relationship between the Industry and being an Idol. (Trainee at 12, first debut at 14 (SHINee), first solo artist to debut (2014) from a boy group in SM maybe even the whole K-pop Industry (fans - please correct me if I'm wrong on this fact ). I highly encourage you go down the Taemin/SHINee rabbit hole, it's so worth it. They have been in the Industry for 15 years and still going strong. I also encourage you to watch it again keeping in mind that we are probably seeing an older Taemin reflecting on his past (younger self).
Reply
Taemin has talked about the literature that inspired this concept: Erotism: Death and Sensuality by Georges Bataille and Demian by Hermann Hesse.
Love that Taemin decided to do things his own way with his own colors. I don't see anyone else doing this concept, or even the way in which he does it. Just stunning!
NEXT
WANT,2KIDS,Criminal ,IDEA, ADVICE
Taemin just knows how to keep us guessing 😌
Yes! Love me some Taemin - he never disappoints.
Always standing on business 🔥
TAEMIN SUPREMACÍA DEL KPOP .ídolo de ídolos. La leyenda GUILTY ARTE.....pliss reacciona a WANT CRIMINAL IDEA ADVICE. FANTASTICO
Thank you for reacting to taemin🫶🏽
Once you Taem-In, you can't Taem- Out Welcome to SHINee World!
Ateez bouncy react