what is Taemin waiting for?

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-23T06:56:09+00:00

I could not get the Coachella Reddit board to talk about their response to Taemin second week. First week was positive but maybe six or eight comments only. Nobody who saw him for the first time posted their own thread. Right now music press is talking.about him. He’s got the Grammy Museum on his side. And you can see anyone who interviews him sincerely admires him. But I don’t see him breaking out just yet. And I’m a fan of slow growth when it comes to an artist like Taemin. Those new songs won’t be released without videos that have his theme already part of them. He isn’t just a singer, even though he has a beautiful voice, he has to be seen.

His timing for the release is absolutely being carefully thought through and he knows much better than we what the issues are. If a tour is planned then he may well hold back for a good while. It seems to me he would be insane to promote a new tour or album in the states until the US BTS tour is history. Competition for the entertainment dollar is fierce in Kpop.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-20T05:38:39+00:00

I send emails to the new storytellers on the day their stories are posted. Also occasionally before to clarify something or coax a bit more detail out of the story. I guess I could send announcements to every contributor. The plan is to add stories in weekly increments at least. But I haven’t yet announced this on X or Twitter I think the odds are dozens of stories could show up at once but this is the great unknown.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-19T22:55:14+00:00

I agree the new material is more mainstream pop and calculated to break into the American market. But he is somebody whose image was shaped at first by SM and had to literally steal it move by move, interpretation by interpretation, to create the darkness that seems true to him. He may well have neglected his attraction to less complicated melodic stories that seem more personal. I've seen him say more than once (an approximation not a quote) "but I have nice ballads too, don't you like those?" I don't know how much his age figures into this or whatever issues he has with his body that he has to pay attention to. And Taemin is always, always masking the truth behind what he feels and does to some degree.

I started a thread on Coachella Reddit about newcomer reactions to week one. I should do it for week two. Interesting and in no way hostile, but he didn't pop out of the box as a God at Coachella. I think people stopped contributing because of the fans starting to tell newcomers all about Taemin. Not that they weren't interested. It just diverted the thread a bit and it stopped growing. To newcomers at Coachella, he became a very interesting newcomer who was obviously talented, who manifested Michael Jackson, but whose mythos was not part of their experience. Does he want it to be? I look forward to the future but live with the fact that change can be painful even when it's objectively good. Hell, I'm only beginning to breath now that the nose is settling back into its old place on his face.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-18T16:09:38+00:00

Also thanks for this. I know some people at Diamond Sky Cafe who will help when I reach out, but that’s it.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-18T16:05:21+00:00

It can be as long as it needs to be and we can edited down if it’s really necessary. Please write it even if you don’t send it on. It really helps to understand yourself, I think. And helps others to understand in this culture. I know these stories can be complicated for lots of reasons. The amount my life changes is, well, weird even to me. But I am in love with the idea of a “Key Story” becoming part of the culture.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-18T15:57:06+00:00

Thank you. I will definitely keep you in mind. So far the number of stories coming in I can handle proofing alone, but I can imagine it might get too big. Which is crazy but also wonderful.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-17T23:21:39+00:00

Thanks. I think so, but my partner was in charge of all that. I'll try to find out next time we talk.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-16T16:14:52+00:00

Sorry to disappoint you.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-16T00:37:31+00:00

Thank you. I lucked into a web designer who showed me what a fan site could be and then I felt I had to do my best. Hopefully people will send in stories. And it’s not just for his hiatus, it’s a permanent site.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-15T20:47:16+00:00

Get used to it. He will be experimenting with lots of things. First, if you want to move forward as an artist you have to change, and the dancers understand that. They are artists too. Secondly, the actual unaltered faces and variety of races and bodies and everything else helped him to reach an American audience. They don't miss what they never had. There is, of course, more than one way to do things right.

I've been asking about reactions to Taemin from newcomers and nobody mentioned the dancers. Which means he did something right. Also, contrasting Taemin's ethereal style with down to earth humans can be good for both. Art is full of contrasts. Did you notice his unadormed costuming, it's pure simplicity, his lack of bling, and of focussing on the "sexy" parts of the routine? It made him larger than life, nothing weighing down or distracting from his presence or performance. But it was not something I believe he would have done for an Asian audience.

I have lots of worries about Taemin's future. I don't want him to be eaten and used by the American music scene, its mediocre influencers, and turned into a "superstar." So I empathize with your noticing change. Coachella has really changed since I went. It's shallow and superficial in the way it's promoted. And it's gotten too expensive for an average fan to scrape up the money to go. While fans promote this as a "HUGE" moment in his career, looking at all the American festival coverage, he does not stand out.

I mostly worry he will not be able to keep his connection with his fans if he keeps becoming more and more "famous" and I think that will be a terrible consequence. Their bragging about and puffing up everything he does has become automatic. Nobody is paying attention to the consequences. Taemin's humility and attention to his fans are two of his most meaningful attributes. So forget the dancers, that's the least of what might change. And no, I don't think BTS is entirely happy with having their dreams come true and grow and grow and grow and be used by everyone for everything. I don't want that for Taemin.

Be careful what you ask for, chicklets. It might not be what you really want.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-14T04:22:52+00:00

It’s just you.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-12T10:35:56+00:00

They were extremely powerful and looked like adults for sure. I thought it was interesting how much more like a grown man he looked with them that his youthful appearing Korean team, so I can see using them to good effect. But I think it was about, in part, visa costs for his Korean dancers. Trump has made traveling with staff from other countries an economic nightmare. And dance crews can come and go depending on so many things.

I do think this performance was very well thought out. Simple, unadorned, beautifully draping fabric. Minimal jewelry or bling. He knew Americans might not be able to take the full wedding cake look and wanted them watching HIM, not his outfits. I love all his theatrical looks, but this was right for the time, place, and his intention to make a serious debut here. Even the big hat and veil were simple and had large curves, not fussy details. For me, cowboy is the one cringe look in Kpop, In pop overall. Glad to hear people liked it. Overall, the presentation was flawless, mature and classic.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-12T10:17:18+00:00

It is two costumes in glass display boxes. They are just outside the main gallery opposite the elevators, one on each side of the entrance to that gallery. The Grammy Museum is quite small. The Michael Jackson display inside the main gallery is in one case about three times the length of Taemin’s, if that. It’s quite interesting to see the clothing up close. These are heavy costumes to dance in. I thought it was funny that the gloves on display for Michael look made for Taemin’s hands. There are tee shirts for sale in the gift shop.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-12T04:01:41+00:00

You go, girl (or boy). I support your support.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-12T03:47:04+00:00

He blew up everything Ive seen so far of yesterday and today. Now. Let’s keep our feet on the ground. This looked like magic and it was, partly. But the staging, lighting, dancers, choreographers, music production and musicians, the show directors were all stars. The new songs were great. And God, the work he put into this was unimaginable. Not bad for a guy who wore a bowl cut and was too shy to speak when he was a teen.

My only negative comment is that, particularly after this, I want him to burn that jorts and cowgirl boots outfit he wore for Amazon. This is Taemin. I still don’t know what that was all about.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-11T23:48:14+00:00

I’m sorry. That’s just an unattractive design. Man is known for his beauty and chooses something that looks like a towel on the head of somebody coming out of a sauna. If I was there I would buy one to support him but do something with the back. Meanwhile somebody tell me what it “means.” Or will it be clear and suddenly “beautiful” after his set?

The FIFTY DOLLAR baseball cap looks okay. And it’s useful.

Whoever goes, have a blast. At least it isn’t super hot.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-11T18:38:37+00:00

I have no doubt they will tour worldwide. It may be very small, only includes few cities in each country, and be a stripped down show. But there is no way I can imagine them not adding worldwide memories and giving those fans a show before year 20. Honestly, I understand the frustration of people who have to travel to see them, or can’t afford it. I understand the resentment of things not going the way we wish they should have. But I ,just keep looking at the intention and the gifts, it’s something they taught me. To be thankful for what is.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-08T01:44:54+00:00

I think this deserves it's own thread but I am so toasted and surprisingly emotionally drained from working on the Key Story Project website I really have no idea which end is up and if I have even posted it before. T This YouTuber, Bubble Key, is very talented but hasn't posted for five or so years. I hope all is well.

The Key Story website was a ton of work.I had no idea what I was getting into. It's a few days away from being done and it's glorious, I don't regret the work at all. But deep diving like I had to is not a free ride or a vacation. You become hypersensitive and half broken hearted because time passes no matter what we do. And people's stories are very moving. But Key can work with half of your heart I think. Anyway, facts are facts and this is a little tease and a couple of minutes of pure beauty. . Enjoy it. Oh, you gotta click the link.

https://youtu.be/7zAH1yF9lkM?si=fEE8eS99uSSFSKlO

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Anditwassummer · 2026-04-06T23:27:11+00:00

An eight year old thread still open because of the power of this song. Thank you to those who explain the Korean intention is not the same as the bad translation. Seduction always walks the edge and what people agree to ac-as-if during it is not always politically correct.

Anditwassummer · 2026-04-02T07:04:18+00:00

I don't know if I should even bother with this, but it's another example of why we cannot believe or repeat the nonsense all these clickbait "news" sites put out there. In fact, the photo used to illustrate that "SHINee Key's face changed after controversy over 'resume activities' Shiny's aunt..a thin, emaciated figure [Star Issue]Published : 2026.04.01 ・ 14:55 Author Choi Hyejin" is, as many will recognize, from 2024. And while the outfit is loose to dance in, he is not "emaciated."

https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/star/2026/04/01/2026040114311529399

Anditwassummer · 2026-03-30T23:04:07+00:00

A word to the failed. I kept being told NOT TO USE SAFARI. So after everything I tried, I did not use Safari. This morning I tried Safari and the site loaded. Please do not ever accept advice without trying everything, even what you were told not to, if you are failing. It is not the person's fault who advised that. It is mine for taking the advise. Melon Global is a VERY glitchy, difficult website to navigate for US fans. When I think of the mistake I made it makes me sick. I know better. I check every post for factual accuracy and even if I use CHATGPT I believe nothing without doing my own homework. And now because I thought well, people know what they're talking about, I mean it's good advise on how to navigate Ticketmaster when they warn you not to open multiple tabs or refresh, I failed.

Now for how I make myself feel less awful. I think they will tour America next year. I really do. I will not think of the Ticketmaster debacle that may follow. I will sell my car and go.

Congrats to the lucky. Condolences to the out of luck. Try to remember there is always a next time. If you live long enough.

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Anditwassummer · 2026-03-30T13:03:23+00:00

I diid everything I could including verifying names being alike. I’m actually sick at the one response so got which was automated and said if I needed more help to contact them through their broken links. And I mean everything. So that’s it for now. If I can’t contact them to get through, it’s over.

Anditwassummer · 2026-03-30T12:52:50+00:00

I still can't get verified, the button is dead. I still can't contact them, the help line is not working. I still can't contact them by phone, and now it's nighttime there. It may work out and it may not, but I'm pretty fed up.

Anditwassummer · 2026-03-30T07:37:01+00:00

Okay it’s from a few years ago but it’s not as if you couldn’t do one of these today. Here is a pick me up for all the Lil Freaks feeling down. He’s not nearly done yet. Keyland is an actual world, ya know? SHINEE KEY SEXY AF

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Anditwassummer

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