Q:people are saying danger is a continuation of sherlock. is it true?

Taemin:yes, people are saying that. but it’s not that we planned it on purpose, it so happened as we were slowly preparing little by little, and danger (phantom thief) was created. what i spoke to my company about this album is that i wanted to show an image that shinee hasn’t done before, an image of mine that fans are familiar with, and an image that only the company knows. we gathered all these and danger was produced. actually there were a lot of impromptus this time. “because the MV set is like this, should we do this hairstyle? or wear these clothes?”. we kept on changing. until yesterday i was blond but now i suddenly coloured my hair again. the next day after we filmed the MV, we thought “should we colour it a little ligther?” and i coloured my hair again ((the silver hair))



Q:among shinee, why is it taemin (that got to go solo)

Taemin:i know right? it’s weird, right? of course i lack a lot but there are things the other members are good at, and things that i’m good at. so the company saw that point as a good thing and gave me the chance. i think there was some expectations from me? (laughs) but it’s not only going to be me. later on, i think they will try giving other members solo plans too. overall it was just that, i was lucky?



Q: not only dance but vocally good as a member too. do you think this album managed to showcase your vocal abilities?

Taemin: i wonder…i think i’m still finding for my voice. the company helped me a lot in finding my colour/style too. actually danger is lower than my usual range. i faced a lot of problems at the beginning. but as i was doing it… this might sound funny but, SM is really a company that develops its singers! (laughs) i did various attempts of this and that



Q: can we see another solo project from you? when will that be?

Taemin: there’s no specific plan yet. if there’s a chance then i’ll start preparing. but we should start preparing shinee’s album the next, right?



Q: if you were to choose someone in shinee to go solo next?

Taemin: ah… give me a minute. if i choose one, the other hyungs will be disappointed. i want to ask my manager over there to go solo. there are times when we go to the karaoke together, so please pick him well



Q:while meeting with your fans alone, i heard you cried

Taemin:i think you heard it wrong! (laughs). actually…. i cried a lot. that time, that feeling.. how should i say it, i was filled with emotions. i shook hands with the fans. whenever the fans meet me, they always say nice things to me. one by one said “you’ve worked hard” “good job”, and it started building up within me. that sincerity really reached me, the memories i had while doing shinee’s activities flashed by, i was really happy and glad that fans are there to support me, it was only natural that i got emotional. actually i’m not the type to cry often but at that moment, i couldn’t stop the tears. i’m really grateful



Q:you are the first to go solo in shinee. your thoughts about it?

Taemin:despite the burden, it was fluttering and good. i could attempt to try various things. while in shinee, the other members could fill up the parts i was lacking at but now i have to fill it up myself. (laughs)



Q: how was the reaction from shinee, your family, and people around?

taemin: i’ve been with the members for a very long time and went through a lot together, so they supported me a lot. they congratulated me, gave me lots of encouragement, and paid a lot of interest too. key hyung bought me a gift. (laughs). it’s because his birthday is around the corner. jonghyun hyung supported me a lot through sns. onew hyung called me directly and took care of me



Q: a track you’re attached to?

taemin: ace and pretty boy. for ace, dbsk’s changmin hyung wrote the lyrics for me. usually when recording the chorus. we’d use special vocals or i’d do it myself but changmin came forward to record the chorus. i was really touched. i became attached to this song at an instant. as for pretty boy, my member jonghyun hyung wrote the lyrics for me. he wrote it after we discussed the album’s concept. also, my best friend, exo’s kai, was featured in this song and helped me so definitely i’ll get attached to it.



Q: what is your aim for this activity?

taemin: lee taemin from shinee’s taemin is out. it would be good if people can see an identity that is lee taemin and not shinee’s maknae taemin. next, i want to carve the name lee taemin (in people’s mind)



Q: what is taemin better of at then the other members?

taemin: definitely dance! of course the other members can dance well too. but each shinee member, while dancing, have different colours. i can only dance my own style (of dance) well



Q: your weight is 57kgs. i heard you want to gain weight

taemin: while preparing for this album, i really practiced a lot. i worked out a lot and due to the course (of preparation), i was under stress too and started losing weight. my metabolism is naturally good (laughs) so that’s why i ate a lot. would you take a look at this? (shows a peanut butter container behind him. there was a plastic spoon stuck into it) i’m eating this to gain weight. i’m naturally born with a slender body frame. like a woman’s body type?



Q: since when did the preparations for your solo start?

taemin: i’m not sure on the company’s level. but i started preparing around march-april? early this year? i heard the news about my solo sometime during spring



CR: vanillahaato