Taemin Embraces Sensual Power in His New EP “ETERNAL”

SHINee’s Lee Taemin can be described in various ways, but he is undoubtedly an artist who is a risk-taker and who isn’t afraid to blur the lines of gender and the exploration of sexuality in his artistry.

His 2023 album Guilty signalled a return to form following his military discharge, indulging in sensuality with songs like The Rizzness, which boasts self-assurance and charm. And who can forget the Guilty dance challenge?

Many K-pop idols joined him in the TikTok trend, proudly showing their abs for fans to enjoy. Aside from the playfulness he shows through his persona, he is much more than that. He’s clever with what he releases and is unafraid to explore his darker side compared to his work with SHINee. With previous singles that are quintessentially Taemin, such as 2020’s Criminal, 2021’s Advice, and of course 2017’s Move, of which he performed at 2017’s Seoul Fashion Week, leading him to go viral thanks to the seductiveness of the dance routine.

As an artist who knows both his image and, more importantly, his sound, each of his albums is distinct, and that holds true for his fifth solo EP, ETERNAL. It begins with the R&B track G.O.A.T, arranged and composed in collaboration with the renowned artist Colde. This time around, Taemin contributed significantly to the album’s composition and writing. Consisting of seven tracks, ETERNAL is curated to guide us through genres Taemin has yet to explore, such as Horizon. This synth-powered pop piece is a three-minute time capsule that would fit perfectly as a soundtrack for 1980s classics like Footloose and Flashdance. Undoubtedly, tracks like these will feature intense routines that are both complex and flawlessly executed when performed on stage during his first world tour, Ephemeral Gaze, which begins in Seoul on August 31st.

But it’s the main single that steals the show with its cheeky title Sexy In The Air. Although it makes no sense when said aloud, it’s clear in the chorus the real purpose of the name singing “Sexy is in the air.” The first few beats open with a distorted guitar playing out what seems like a grunge version of the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star. It’s a song of two halves with the latter switching into hip-hop beats and a heat-inducing outro to which he breathlessly moans out never-ending “Ah, Yeah’s” as he whispers in the ear “Shall we come with me? / Sexy is in the air.”

It always feels like he’s a step ahead of the curve when it comes to pushing boundaries, and whilst this is normal in the Western industry, it is generally avoided in K-pop. If anything, Taemin is the embodiment of sex, and that is visible in his music videos over the years.

Sexy In The Air is no exception; for those who grew up in the 1990s, it accurately captures the well-produced videos of the MTV era. Beyond the visuals and sound, it’s always exciting to see what dance routines will accompany a Taemin comeback. This time is no different – each outfit change brings an even more complex transition, where he doesn’t just dance but glides through the air so gracefully.

Sexiness aside; it’s in The Unknown Sea where he truly shows his vocal skills. While this may not necessarily be a new side of him, it still strikes an emotional chord. His voice always has a sweet, almost angelic tone that evokes such strong feelings, easily bringing tears to one’s eyes. But just seconds later, it’s back to the funky, uptempo track Crush. Does it feel like emotional whiplash? Indeed. But Crush finds him returning to his seductive approach, shifting from flirtatious to making you blush: “A little kiss, love it / a sweet tooth near one’s mouth / Close the distance and crush it (Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na).”

Although Deja Vu seems familiar, this might be thanks to the hypnotising beat that carries his powerful vocals, or it could simply be Taemin’s signature sound that has you searching through his discography, certain it’s a part two to something heard previously. But Deja Vu is pop perfection; it sounds like he’s making love to the song, with its sultry, slow build-up, and then, out of nowhere, he unleashes that sensuality with the beautiful echoes of “Deja Vu” in the distance.

Ending with Say Less, and while it isn’t particularly groundbreaking, it’s a pleasant way to close the album nevertheless. As the album concludes, the lyrics centre on relief and newfound determination, with Taemin singing, “I feel like I can do anything,” which could signal new beginnings after parting ways with SM Entertainment and joining Big Planet Made in April.

It’s easy to place a star like Taemin on a higher pedestal than other idols who release new music. But it’s songs like Sexy In The Air and The Unknown Sea that solidify his reputation as a great solo artist. By staying true to his vision, instincts, and creative ideas, he has continued to thrive in a fast-paced industry that can be challenging for both new and longtime listeners to keep up with. After 15 years in the business, there’s a reason he’s known as the “Idol’s Idol,” and he will continue to uphold that title for years to come.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}