K-Pop Theory Thursdays: Taemin Taekover

[____shawnee]

So since I've received lots of fanmail regarding my theories and conspiracies, I've decided to make a weekly segment. K-Pop Theory Thursdays! I will be talking about various secret situations that are being kept hidden from the public and the clues that point to them. Today I will be discussing SHINee's Taemin, the main vocalist SM always wanted, and how he is slowly taking over Jonghyun's role in the group.

 

In the beginnings of SHINee, there was Cutie Maknae Dancer Taemin, the Almighty Diva Key, Charismatic Rapper Minho, Main Vocalist Jonghyun, and Sent-From-Above Klutz Leader Velvet Voice Onew (Thank you, Lord). Taemin wasn't the best singer, but he shined because of his dance skills, and because he was cute! Although Jonghyun was the voice of SHINee, he wasn't the most popular.

 

 

Around the Juliette era, Taemin began to appear in dramas and various special stages. While Jonghyun did this thing with SM The Ballad in 2010, Taemin appeared in more dramas and variety shows, and even MCed for Music Core once. 

 

 

As you see, Taemin and Minho were the go-to guys in SHINee when it came to representing the group in terms of television. Jonghyun, Onew, and sometimes Key were the go-to guys when it came to singing. Unfortunately for Jonghyun, singing was his only way of representing the group. Back then, it wasn't such a bad thing. Then, Taemin began to improve his vocal skills...

 

It all started with stuff like this.

 

 

Since Taemin was the only one whose vocal range could reach as high as Jonghyun's, he was chosen to sing his parts in his absence. However, his pitch problems and lack of control prevented him from being any more than the substitute high-note whore. SM saw this as an opportunity, and decided to utilize Taemin's impressive vocal range by putting him through rigorous vocal training. Over time, Taemin skills continued to improve, and he could sing just as decently as Key. In 2011, SHINee debuted in Japan with a Japanese version of Replay, with a twist: one of Jonghyun's lines and one of Onew's were given to Taemin (he also stole the opening line in Juliette Japanese, Jjong's line). It was quite clear that Taemin was the visual in Japan. The increase in song lines would put him in the spotlight more. To Jonghyun's dismay, Taemin's journey to taking over the vocal throne began. 

 

 

Jonghyun had to step it up to protect his position. He took his variety personality and stage presence to a totally new level. He continued to contribute to songwriting. He worked out regularly to sculpt a gorgeous, toned body. He continued to give the fangirls what they wanted. Sadly, this was not enough to stop the bulldozer that is Lee Taemin. 

 

In 2012, Taemin was chosen to join Immortal Song 2. Not Onew, not Key, Taemin. At this point, Taemin seemed to have surpassed Onew and Key vocally. This was a huge milestone and accomplishment. As Jonghyun had already had his run on Immortal Song, comparison was inevitable. Taemin performed fantastically, while Jonghyun watched, biting his nails. Later in 2012, Jonghyun was not chosen to sing an OST for the SM Entertainment-produced drama, To The Beautiful You. Instead, Onew and Taemin were the members chosen to lend their voices for the soundtrack. Jonghyun saw what was happening, he saw it all along. He practiced his songwriting and composing skills, as he knew he'd need something to fall back on when Taemin's Taekover was complete.

 

Fast forward to 2013. After concluding Dream Girl promotions, Jonghyun was involved in a car accident that fractured his nose. He was unable to participate in the filming of the Why So Serious MV and majority of their comeback stages, because he had to receive surgery on his nose (not cosmetic!!!!!). Little does anyone know, that Jonghyun actually rested longer than he needed to. This was decided by SM, so that Taemin would be able to bask in the spotlight of temporary main vocalist for a while, just to see how things went. I mean c'mon now, it isn't like SM to actually let their idols rest. SM allowed Jonghyun to return for the last few broadcast performances of Why So Serious.

 

Not only has Taemin stolen Jonghyun's position as the vocal leader of the group, he has stolen his style and image. In Summer 2012, Jonghyun and Taemin had a duet stage together at SHINee World Concert II. 

 

This very hot and heated performance was not just a fanservice stage, it was symbolism: Jonghyun transferring his sex appeal, cockiness, and image to a relatively timid Taemin. Taemin absorbed Jonghyun's energies. If you haven't noticed, Taemin began to emulate Jonghyun's style in early 2013. During Dream Girl promotions, Jonghyun was the one to wear funky earrings, high volume hair, and hazel contact lenses. Guess who adopted this style during Why So Serious promotions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember how Jjong was always the man-whore, prancing around shirtless?

 

Well SHINee's new MV for "Everybody" was just released...

 

 

 

Oh look, it's maknae Taemin. Transfer of energies?

 

 

 

Taemin is the main vocalist SM always wanted. He's cute and has public appeal, he's a killer dancer, and he's loved on variety shows. It's no wonder why SM would rather promote Taemin as the main vocalist than Jonghyun. He's pushed everyone down on the vocal chart in SHINee, he's most likely for SM to push to go solo, seeing how well he fared featuring in labelmate Henry's song Trap. He is now one of SM's best performers, and a force to be reckoned with. His Taekover has only just begun.

 

I know it's technically Friday but I started this like 7 hours ago and got tied up :/

[Park Ji Seul]

NO NEED TO VOTE WHO'S BETTER BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL BEST.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really hate this kind of comparison,

 

who's better to be vocalist, dancer, visual .... etc.

[Ta77]

Jonghyun

[Ashelin]

Taemin has improved a lot and has become a really good singer, but he's still no Jonghyun and Onew.

[Get The Job Done]

I always thought Taemin could go solo.

He is like a Kai that can sing. 

So he has charisma and personality and his voice isn't grating like JJong Key, or squeaky like Onews...

He should go solo...but that doesn't mean SHINee should break up

[♥SNS-Shinomiya♥]

oh I love this......

[♆ NEPTUNE ♆]

Onew, he's always had the best voice in SHINee even when I used to stan SHINee back in 2009 I thought this.

 

 

IT WILL ALWAYS BE LEE JIN KI 

[____shawnee]

oh I love this......

 

the sunsica one is next probably, im waiting on sooyoung to email me back with the answers to the interview questions 

[maeve]

Taemin has improved a lot and has become a really good singer, but he's still no Jonghyun and Onew.

He's a much better singer than Onew

 

I always thought Jonghyun was what Taemin wants to be like esp Vocals and Image.

He's so much like Jjiong, no wonder he's now my 2nd bias in SHINee 

[sx21]

Shay told me to come here and post something nice: This is cool.

[shaysonic]

I won't lie your theory gave me a pretty good chuckle.

[Kaicon]

Jonghyun's voice is so nasally. In my opinion, Onew and Taemin sound much more pleasant. The only voice I can't stand in SHINee belongs to Key. 

[Mako Yagami]

Jonghyun transferring his sex appeal, cockiness, and image to a relatively timid Taemin. Taemin absorbed Jonghyun's energies.

 

Omg I loled at this 

[Iljin Prince]

Can't believe I'm the first on this thread to - tl;dr.

[♥SNS-Shinomiya♥]

the sunsica one is next probably, im waiting on sooyoung to email me back with the answers to the interview questions 

.....

[BarbieBoy]

Oh, how I hear about this so much these days.. I don't want to comment anymore..

 

I just want to say something to SM, if SM really wants to give taemin all the spotlights they better make him legit solo now, instead of put him in SHINee as the center, the main dancer and the main vocalist, and make Onew's and Key's fans thirst about both's screen time and lines. I missed the old SHINee in these aspects.

 

Someone even make a joke that taemin nipples has more screen time than Onew's face int he MV lol

[3o44]

I love your theory. lol

[Janny]

OMG what is the turtle soup tag 

 

 

He's a much better singer than Onew

 

 

Wrong.

 

He may be the better vocalist (may, I don't know, I'm no expert at this), but one can't say he's the better singer.

Cause singer is subjective, it includes things like voice-tone, emotions etc., something everyone perceives differently.

A good vocalist is someone who has the singing technalities down to a notch, and from what I heard in the vocal thread, Taemin is a good vocalist.

 

That doesn't automatically make him the better singer tho.

 

Cause when it comes to that, he might be the better singer to you, but Onew might be the better singer to a different person. That part is subjective.

 

Sorry had to point that out xDD

 

 

 

Someone even make a joke that taemin nipples has more screen time than Onew's face int he MV lol

 

As sad as it is, but that's probably true.

As much as I love Taemin, they overdid it with them nipples 

[Elle Eaux Elle]

Onew >

[Messica]

Too bad they didn't continue that plan for sica cos she took all 3 roles predebut and now she's just above average in all aspects.

 

but yes, I agree with this theory.

[Messica]

the sunsica one is next probably, im waiting on sooyoung to email me back with the answers to the interview questions

 

there's a sunsica theory? For 5 years as a sone, I've never seen anything particularly special about the pair. PM me.

[MelodyMeritamon]

lol this is fun, kep them coming plz!!!

 

But technically speaking the first line in Replay was Taemin's to begin with. He didn't exactly steal them from Jjong for the J-debut.

Those were his lines, but then right before their debut his voice started breaking cuz u know 14y.o boy>puberty etc etc and they took the lines and gave them to Jonghyun cuz they were gonna sing live and they didn't wanna risk Taemin's voice breaking during a performance.

Taemin practiced his ass off, got better, and when they re-recorded the song for the J-debut they gave Taemin his lines back

Cuz you now, the boy can sing now.

[clicks]

Little does anyone know, that Jonghyun actually rested longer than he needed to. This was decided by SM, so that Taemin would be able to bask in the spotlight of temporary main vocalist for a while, just to see how things went. I mean c'mon now, it isn't like SM to actually let their idols rest. SM allowed Jonghyun to return for the last few broadcast performances of Why So Serious.

In Jonghyun's 1st appearance after the accident, he struggled singing Sleepless Night, etc. becoz his nose wasn't fully healed so I don't think SM made him rest longer than he needed. He needed to rest longer instead, but WSS promo era closed with OT5 was sweet.

 

Anyway, this is only a theory full of assumptions and I'm sure everyone can take this with a pinch of salt but while it can be fun it can also fuel unnecessary war :/

 

Rather than making theory that SM from the start tries to limit the others in order to promote Taemin, I'd rather think they were given equal opportunities. Taemin was very limited at the beginning, anyway. But maybe along the way, each members learn to recognize their own weak and strong qualities and develop different interests of how they want to succeed. Jjong would rather pursue music creation, Key: fashion, entertainment, maybe dog salon someday (who knows), minho and onew also have their own goals. Maybe they think in order to succeed in their own way, learning more about vocal isn't priority to them. It doesn't have to be: SM limiting their vocal training and only allow Taemin to develop vocally or anything. Taemin can endure and his development is obvious because of SM unequal treatment? Maybe yes, maybe not. Maybe it's because of his hard work and strong determination.

[~ PD Hercule Poirot ~]

My Personal Preference

Onew > Jonghyun > Taemin > Minho > Key

[aji-shio]

LOL TAEkover - i love this word

I love how he continues to improve and takeover

even when there are haters bitching that he couldn't sing back then, he has now proved them wrong..

he still has haters bitching about him, but he doesn't care and dgaf because he continues his dominance

I can't wait to see how much of a singer he'll developed in the future.

 

I think in Taemin's case, its not  that he's sm's favourite ( I mean isn't Minho sm's fave ? - The Jung Yunho line?) but its more like his hard work paid off and he knows what he wants and knows how to achieve that.  He has proven and shown sm how much he's worth and what he wants, that sm giving him all these opportunities. You can tell how passionate he is and that he really wanted to go far in the industry. He's got this optimism -I remember he said on a show-  his motto "nothing is impossible". Another thing that needed to be noted is that the first time he said he wanted to be able to sing and become a vocalist was when he just debuted in 2008, at the time, he was a weak singer, unstable (due to voice change). Now it 2013, look at how much he stayed true to his words. Nothing is gonna stop him from achieving his dream. He's gonna continue that TAEkover.

 

 

Taemin has improved a lot and has become a really good singer, but he's still no Jonghyun and Onew.

From what I heard, its more like he has surpassed them both awhile ago. Better at reaching and belting notes.

 

As for vocal tone, I can't really comment on that since it ssubjective. Personally I like the sound (tone) of Onew's voice  much better but you can't deny that Taemin definitely sings better.

 

singing-wise,

Onew- cracks

Jonghyun - strains

Taemin - doesn't really have these prblem as he's pretty consistent