Taemin aces Manila performance
You know, when I look at you, you guys are like the bright stars in the night sky.”
Taemin said this while soaking in the presence of fans who went to the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday. Manila was the last stop of the Asian leg of his “Ephemeral Gaze” world tour, his first tour as a solo artist. This stop was promoted by DNM Entertainment.
The Shinee member debuted as a soloist in 2014, making this year his 10th anniversary.
“Can we turn on our camera flashlights? It’s so pretty. Because you have made a beautiful scenery for me, I will perform the song that contains my heart for you,” he said. He then went on to sing “The Unknown Sea,” a song he wrote.
The youngest member of Shinee has carried the weight of the “ace” title for years. He’s been called “the idol of idols,” as numerous third- and fourth-generation K-pop group members have consistently named him their inspiration. Peers have been pitted against him as an industry standard multiple times. In this concert, he showed why that moniker fits and why it has stuck.
Stunning
Taemin’s mastery over his body is stunning. Every pop, turn, wave, and roll he makes is deliberate, yet there’s a graceful flow to it. His precision is unmatched. The lines he forms with his feet, arms, and the rest of his body complement the formations of his backup dancers and support the imagery projected on the background screen.
The show began with a thin fabric covering the entire stage, displaying images of rebirth and renewal. The fabric dropped to reveal Taemin in the center of the universe, shaped like an eye, with his arms outstretched as if to welcome the audience. He opened with “Deja Vu,” a track from his fifth mini album, “Eternal,” which was released earlier this year. The eye would be a constant throughout the show, reappearing in different sizes and colors.
He followed it up with “Guilty,” a wildly popular track that trended on various platforms for its dance challenge. The dance moves were alluring, showcasing Taemin’s strength as a dancer. You could feel the tension in his body as he performed, which is part of what made the song go viral in the first place.
It quickly transitioned to “Advice,” and two hands holding a crossbar appeared at the top of the screen, with virtual strings connecting to him. He moved like a puppet controlled by a master—and his flawless performance spoke volumes about how much time he must have devoted to perfecting the routine. The imagery is fitting because the song is about wanting to break free.
“‘Ephemeral Gaze’ is meant to convey the idea that no matter how you look at it, Taemin will always be Taemin,” he said.
He made a significant career move this year when he joined BPM Entertainment as a soloist while continuing to be part of Shinee under SM Entertainment. The statement was an assurance that, no matter where his solo career takes him, he will always be the boy raised by the love of Taemates (his fandom) and Shawols (Shinee’s fandom).
Perfectly executed
An imposing gate appeared on the screen for “Heaven,” another perfectly executed track in which Taemin lost himself in the song. His hair was a mess, and his eyes had an almost crazed look when it ended. The first part of the show teetered on the edge of sensuality, so seductive it left the audience breathless.
The ability to sing while dancing is a basic skill for Shinee members, but the second part of the show demonstrated how he has grown as an artist. He presented a series of ballads, including “I’m Crying,” “Clockwork,” and “Not Over You,” to highlight the richness of his voice. Listening to his vocals was soothing, even as he poured out emotions of longing and yearning.
An ace is not just an all-rounder who can sing, dance, and rap. The artist must excel at all three, and Taemin ticks all those boxes. With “The Rizzness” and “G.O.A.T.,” he showed that he could hit the rap bars, too, if he were so inclined.
“‘G.O.A.T.’ is actually very exciting, right? I was actually thinking of saying ‘Philippines!’ before coming up onstage, but I was very conscious of the pronunciation, so it turned out like that,” he said.
His audacity reached its peak when, after singing “The Rizzness,” he excused himself to do a quick touch-up with the audience watching. When everyone expected him to leave the stage, a couple of members from his glam team came out to fix his hair and clothes on the spot. This made the audience laugh.
Taemin also spent a few minutes during his “ment” (talking parts in K-pop lingo) accepting song requests from fans. Requests ranged from his solo songs “Drip Drop” and “Press Your Number” to group songs. His first picks were “Ring Ding Dong” and “Lucifer.”
He also sang snippets of “Replay,” reminding the audience that it was his debut song. It was a nostalgic moment. Taemin obviously wanted to pay homage to his roots and share this with the fans, just as his hyungs (older members) do when they travel overseas.
The anticipated “walang uuwi” chant began as soon as Taemin announced that it was time for goodbyes. “Let’s live together,” he said before laying down on the floor. After watching the fan video project dedicated to him, he held the microphone and said, “mahal kita.”
He apologized for the long wait before his first solo tour in Manila.
“I think your hearts are so warm. So, you know, thank you so much for your love … I was really happy tonight,” he said.
Taemin’s presence was so powerful that it filled the stage and extended to the people who loved him. All the songs he performed painted a beautiful picture, but the real art was Taemin himself.
