NCT's Taeyong Talks About His Drive As A Trainee, Goals For NCT And Himself As An Artist, And More

NCT’s Taeyong has participated in a solo photoshoot with W Korea!

In the accompanying interview, Taeyong spoke about writing the lyrics for “Beautiful,” the title track on NCT’s last full album “Universe.” He explained, “2021 was a year that made me realize ‘There are so many beautiful things around me.’ I realized that life could become happy and beautiful through even the smallest things and that there are countless ways to create that. Because of that, I wanted to tell people who are diligently moving forward towards their dreams, ‘With that alone, you can be proud!'”

He elaborated on his lyric writing process by sharing what he does when he gets stuck. “I ask for advice from people around me or listen to songs about situations similar to mine. I have thoughts like, ‘I’m in this kind of situation, but why is that?’ ‘Why do I feel this way?’ ‘What kind of experience led to this song?’ and ‘It’s similar to me…’ After a few days, I think of new things to write [as lyrics]. Also, when I’m showering or cleaning my room is when I’m able to organize my lyrics best.”

Despite being an incredible performer now, when Taeyong was a trainee, the teachers often did not know how to move forward with him because he was so unfamiliar with dance. Taeyong discussed his dedication to achieve success, sharing, “When I was in middle school, I told my parents that I wanted to go to an arts high school. That’s why my mom helped me start various hobbies. Among those, my favorites were basketball, art, and piano, and I enjoyed rapping with my friends. But I didn’t think that my hobbies would turn into dreams. After I entered the agency, I approached [training] with this mindset. ‘This is the only road for me.’ I think I felt a bit of euphoria that there were people who would enjoy and be happy when I worked hard at something.”

Taeyong continued, “Through thoughts of ‘I better not let those people down because they believe in me,’ I was able to practice more diligently and for longer. When I lose confidence, I seek out my friends. Once I meet up with people who listen to my concerns and show their support, I don’t go out of my way to compare myself to others and I naturally think of things I want to do. Honestly, I’m tone deaf and have no sense of rhythm. I still think I’m that way. Since I know what I lack, I think I have no choice but to continue working hard.”

Throughout various units of NCT, Taeyong was asked when he felt he experienced the most growth. Taeyong answered, “I remember a lot from my debut song ‘The 7th Sense‘ in 2016 to ‘BOSS‘ in 2018. The more I performed, the most clear my movements became and I was able to watch my growth in expression. Every moment I was on stage was so important and precious and I didn’t want to let anyone down. At the time, I worked excessively hard. But I think I am the way I am today because of that.”

Taeyong also compared and contrasted his two hobbies of drawing and making music. He shared, “There are a lot of times when I draw using the music I made as a theme. It’s fun to express the colors, shapes, and animals that I think of when listening to that song. Or I write phrases and draw graffiti-like cartoon characters which makes time fly by.”

Taeyong added, “If you say that making music expresses myself in a more specific manner, I think drawing has the same meaning to me as having a pet fish or cleaning. Also, dancing in the practice room after I’m done work or on a day off is the same as resting to me so I don’t think of it at all as work. In a way, I think I’m a lucky person whose current work coincides with what they want to do.”

Last September, NCT 127’s third studio album “Sticker” debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 3 and has gone on to become the longest-charting K-pop album of 2021, with the record now at 17 consecutive weeks and counting. Ever since debuting on the Billboard 200 in 2018, NCT 127 has slowly but surely climbed their way to the top of the chart.

Taeyong touched on his goals moving forward, saying, “I always think, ‘I want to protect this team for a long time.’ Although I’m a leader who is lacking in different ways, along with my members, I want to show more things that only [NCT] 127 can do and with the potential that [NCT] 127 has, I want to create even more memories with fans. We’ve already achieved a lot and made happy memories of cool performances, but I want to continue improving and become a long-running team.”

In terms of what kind of artist Taeyong wants to become, he shared, “I want the songs and lyrics I write to become strength to others. As a trainee, after I figured out ‘I’m someone who feels happiness while giving other people happiness,’ I wanted to support others through the work that I’m best at. I enjoy creating performances and I also like moving [the emotions] of others. After continuously doing this work, someday I’d like to become a concert director or choreographer and live while helping and giving direction to artists who are working while thinking similar thoughts as me.”

Looking back on 2021, Taeyong chose moments where he thought to himself, “You did well.” He explained, “I started Instagram and made a SoundCloud. I liked gaining a new method of communication with fans. It feels like gaining another space to express myself. Through that passage, it feels like I’ve danced, sung, and rapped so… I think I did well.”

You can check out Taeyong’s full interview and photoshoot in the February issue of W Korea.

Watch Taeyong in SuperM’s reality show “MTOPIA” below!

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