By Beah Corrales
The goal of this essay is to to highlight the song Guilty by Korean artist Taemin and its impact. Lee Taemin, 31, is a dancer, singer, and k-pop idol who is also a part of the popular k-pop group Shinee. Taemin has been prominent in the industry since he debuted in Shinee at age 14, in 2008. With around 6 years of experience, on August 18, 2014, Taemin made his solo debut with his first extended play (EP) titled Ace. From October 2019-2022, Taemin joined the group SuperM which included multiple male idols from other k-pop groups to collaborate into one. In k-pop he is widely known as one of the best if not the best dancer in that industry. In my opinion I would 100% agree since his talents are undeniable. Many of my favorite k-pop artists, who are also insane performers, are heavily inspired by him and look up to him which speaks volumes. His solo music has always stood out to me not only from the incredible lyricism, but from the powerful and emotional performances he does while showcasing his music with his background as a dancer and k-pop idol.
I recently got the opportunity to see Taemin live in February for the first time. With this being his first solo tour, there was a lot of anticipation and tickets were a bloodbath to get, but I just got very lucky. Being an avid concert go-er and someone who is always heavily impacted by people’s performance abilities, I was stunned to say the very least. Most of Taemin’s songs have vigorous choreography and he did not take many breaks, especially with him being the only act besides his background dancers which he sometimes didn’t even include in certain songs which resulted in more stage to cover alone. He also sings live, so the combination of tiresome choreography and constant singing is utterly impressive. I didn’t hear his voice miss any notes or beats and I think that is a reflection of his hard work and 17 years of experience as a performer. After his opening song, Guilty was the second song on the setlist and he continued with no break into that song with passion and explosive movements.
Taemin released his fourth mini solo album Guilty on October 30, 2023, and the title trck Guilty was released the same day. This album consisted of 6 songs with a range of genres. When first listening to the track Guilty, the song’s heavy production with pop and hip-hop elements already curated a powerful dance performance in my head. The song has heavy snaps with an overall eerie undertone. The song’s production included strings by an orchestra and dynamic synths added by the sound mixers and editors. I could tell the song would have intense depth and meaning before watching the music video, performance video, and translating the lyrics to English for better understanding.
Guilty explores themes within relationships. Genius says “The song Guilty by Taemin portrays a complex and emotionally intense relationship, exploring themes of manipulation, self-sacrifice, and the internal struggle to break free from a toxic connection.” IMDB says “The lyrics suggest a sense of being captivated by someone, symbolized by the metaphor of a “poison apple” that the protagonist wants to indulge in, despite knowing the danger involved. The lyrics also emphasize the power dynamics within the relationship, with the protagonist giving their all and sacrificing their own well-being for the other person, who takes advantage of their vulnerability.”
Taemin sings the song from the abuser’s perspective in the toxic relationship. In verse 1 he describes how he lures his partner into his control to do whatever he pleases. He hints at manipulating his partner and making them believe that this immense pain is the same thing as love. The pre-chorus of Guilty serves as a crucial emotional turning point in the song. It marks a shift from quiet reflection to a heightened sense of urgency and vulnerability. Through Taemin’s vocal delivery and the musical arrangement, the pre-chorus amplifies the internal struggle and prepares the listener for the raw emotion and intensity of the following chorus. It represents the protagonist’s realization of their guilt and their internal conflict, creating a sense of mounting tension before the cathartic release of the chorus. The chorus is the emotional core of the song, where the intense feelings of guilt, regret, and self-awareness are laid bare. With powerful repetition, Taemin’s emotive vocal delivery, and a dynamic musical arrangement, the chorus serves as a cathartic release of the tension built throughout the song. It conveys the protagonist’s struggle with their inner turmoil and their inability to escape the consuming feeling of guilt, making it a poignant and emotionally charged moment in the track. The post-chorus is a powerful and emotional section that enhances the song’s themes of inner conflict and guilt. It stands out for its haunting, repetitive vocal delivery and musical shift, amplifying the mood of the song. The post-chorus features a shift in the arrangement, with a more atmospheric, stripped down instrumental that draws attention to Taemin’s vocals. The minimalistic production allows the emotional intensity of the lyrics to take center stage, creating a feeling of isolation or detachment, which mirrors the emotional struggle in the song. The post-chorus of Guilty deepens the emotional intensity of the song, highlighting the lingering effects of guilt and regret. Through repetition, haunting delivery, and a musical shift, it encapsulates the internal struggle of wanting to move on but being trapped by one’s own feelings of responsibility and remorse. The bridge is a reflective, emotional, and intimate section of the song that deepens the feelings of vulnerability and conflict. With its softer vocals and more subdued musical arrangement, it provides a moment of pause and introspection, allowing the protagonist’s emotional turmoil to be felt more intensely. It not only contrasts with the intensity of the chorus but also amplifies the song’s themes of guilt, self-reflection, and the emotional weight of unresolved feelings. The bridge sets up the final return to the chorus, making the ultimate emotional release feel even more powerful and poignant. The bridge is the climax of intensity in the song where Taemin throws in runs and adlibs while also changing up the choreography.
The Guilty live performance is crucial to the overall mood of the song. It is common in Taemin’s music to have choreography that is seductive yet smooth and powerful at the same time. He is notorious for precise contemporary elements with a lot of fluidity and precision. He channels the emotion of his songs within his dance and it is very expressive. Even the simple moves, Taemin makes hard because of his personal dancing style being so unique and hard to replicate. The main standout point of the choreography is in the chorus of the song. Not only was it depicting the scene pictured with the lyrics he sang, but this part of the song went viral in the kpop industry causing everyone to attempt it the way he did it. As mentioned earlier, Taemin or his group Shinee have heavily impacted the k-pop industry because of how long they have thrived together and individually. Taemin’s solo dances always go viral with other artists filming covers. Although I am not necessarily highlighting the western industry, Taemin did make a big impression on locals who weren’t aware of him prior. Many individuals randomly attended
Taemin’s tour either because they accompanied someone or they just wanted to attend a concert. Those same individuals have noted how they were extremely impressed with his performance and became a fan of him and Shinee after. Not only because I dance, but I was also just heavily inspired by his artistry and it gave me more motivation to practice my own craft even though mine is film and not music. My friend who went with me has seen me at other concerts and I am embarassingly loud. She told me “This was the most quiet I have ever seen you at a concert.” If that doesn’t emphasize how stunned I was I don’t know what will. TAEMIN (태민) – Guilty |
The music video brought a lot of perspective to the song itself. For example, say you are like me and you don’t speak Korean. In theory, assuming there are no English translations available for me to read, I would be thinking about how the song has an eerie vibe, but not entirely knowing much. As we all know and hear coming from my mouth everyday, I am very passionate about film, media, and storytelling. Taemin, his choreographer, director Byul Yun, and writer Tae Won Park depicted the song into art that serves as a translator for the language barrier. To be able to execute that is a hard challenge especially for having a huge international fan base. The music video has a strong visual emphasis on mood and atmosphere, reflecting the song’s emotional intensity. It features dark, moody lighting and shadowy environments, with elements like fog and smoke, which add a sense of mystery and tension. This creates a dramatic, almost haunting atmosphere that aligns with the feelings of guilt, regret, and emotional struggle expressed in the song. The dark visuals mirror the internal conflict of the protagonist. Taemin is often depicted in confined spaces, such as a dimly lit room or surrounded by glass, representing a sense of emotional confinement or feeling trapped by guilt. These visuals suggest that the protagonist is locked in their own mind, unable to escape their emotions. The imagery emphasizes the song’s theme of being trapped in one’s feelings and unable to break free from the weight of guilt.
Even though I already talked about Taemin’s performance dance-wise, I have to mention it again. Throughout the music video, Taemin’s expressive dance and facial expressions are central to conveying the emotional depth of the song. His choreography is fluid yet intense, capturing the themes of inner turmoil, longing, and the struggle between love and guilt. His movements are a blend of sharp, controlled actions and more fluid, ethereal gestures, reinforcing the contrast between his emotional struggle and his desire for resolution or release. Taemin is portrayed as deeply connected to the emotional narrative of the song, with his performance aligning closely to the lyrics. At times, his gaze or subtle gestures seem to communicate a direct conversation with the audience, as though he is grappling with his emotions and seeking understanding. This personal connection enhances the song’s sense of vulnerability and makes the viewer feel like they are witnessing an intimate emotional experience rather than just a performance. The concept of duality is present throughout the video, with Taemin being shown in contrasting states: sometimes alone, sometimes surrounded by fragmented reflections or mirrored surfaces. This duality mirrors the conflict between his inner self and the external forces, such as guilt or desire for redemption. These reflections may symbolize his self-awareness and the constant battle with his own emotions, underscoring the internal conflict of the song.
At the beginning of the music video there are a lot of scenes of Taemin in a plain room with a bunch of people. It starts off calm until eventually they are all losing their minds and wrecking the room. the visuals do evoke a sense of confinement and psychological distress, but it doesn’t explicitly depict Taemin as being in an asylum. The setting is more symbolic than literal, reflecting the themes of isolation, guilt, and emotional turmoil. The imagery of Taemin being surrounded by glass walls or in dark, enclosed spaces could be interpreted as representing a mental or emotional prison. These visuals suggest that the protagonist is trapped in his own thoughts and feelings of guilt, rather than being in a physical asylum. The reflective surfaces, shadows, and eerie lighting create a sense of internal struggle, implying that he is wrestling with his emotions and self-awareness.
At 2:14 in the music video, the bridge of the song begins and they added an extra instrumental into that part in order to show more of the scenes taking place without lyrics. Taemin is seen taking his inhaler, we see the brokenness of the relationship with whomever he is with, and depictions of self-harm/harm inflicted on a partner. The instrumental that plays continues with the mood of meloncholy. After this little extended instrumental happens, it breaks into the most intense part of the song which is the bridge. Taemin has some solo dancing scenes during the bridge that are explossive and the scenes including the dancers we see everyone dancing hard and powerful. TAEMIN 태민 ‘Guilty’ MV
In k-pop, they stress the importance of concept photos and the time and care that goes into crafting physical media. Over this past weekend I purchased a copy of Taemin’s Guilty album in cd form. The photos they chose from the cover of the album to the posters to the postcard and photocard included the concept photos that were taking during the filming of the Guilty music video. It shows Taemin in a vulnerable state which again is a perfect depiction of the album itself. I have always appreciated this because I collect CDs and this makes it even more enjoyable. Again, it helps with people who are unfamiliar with the language, culture, or the artist. When people go into my apartment or my car and we are about to play a cd, they can just tell the vibe from the cover.
Lee Taemin has had a profound impact on the k-pop industry through his innovative dance techniques, musical versatility, and emotional depth in performances. Known for blending sharp precision with fluid movements, his choreography has set a new standard for k-pop dancers and has inspired a generation of idols to push the boundaries of their performances. As a solo artist, Taemin has redefined the concept of a k-pop idol by prioritizing artistic expression and emotional vulnerability, which has resonated with both domestic and international audiences. His albums, such as Never Gonna Dance Again, showcase his ability to evolve musically, mixing genres like R&B, pop, and experimental sounds, and present a cohesive, artistic persona. Taemin’s influence extends beyond the stage, contributing to the global reach of k-pop and challenging traditional norms within the industry. His fluid, expressive dance style and emotional vulnerability have made him a global dance icon, and his work has inspired both fans and other artists to embrace deeper emotional connections in their performances. By breaking stereotypes around masculinity and image, Taemin has encouraged greater freedom of expression for k-pop idols, showcasing that emotional depth and strength can coexist. His legacy continues to shape the industry, setting new standards for performance and self-expression while helping k-pop artists gain recognition on the world stage.
Although I have not been a fan of Taemin since his start, he has without a doubt heavily impacted my outlook on dance, performance, and creating in general. Along with Guilty, Taemin’s discography is full of ballads that tell stories. The popularity in his music seems to increase as the years go on so I am sure he will continue to put forth all of this effort to maintain his reputation and caliber of talent.