Concerns are being raised by Korean netizens regarding the level of sexualization in Taemin‘s latest mini-album.
Taemin, who debuted at a young age and has become a versatile and talented artist, is known for constantly pushing boundaries and exploring different musical genres to express his artistic vision. Having earned his status as a top idol in the industry, Taemin has become an inspiration to many aspiring idols, gaining a large fan base that supports and admires his work.
However, some Korean netizens have expressed concerns about the level of sexualization in his latest release, “Guilty,” and are debating whether the content has gone too far.
One fan shared their thoughts, stating, “When you open the box…you make eye contact with a boy through a peephole. When you open it, that boy is laying on a motel bed. Aren’t they crazy?” and “In the zippered bag, there are suspect photos. If you take them out, they’re pieces of the boy. After seeing that, I wonder…did I really purchase a legal item?”
Another netizen pointed out a series of potentially provocative images, including pants and underwear on the floor, a photo of Taemin sensually eating ice, and the stylized font spelling out “Guilty.”
These elements have sparked further debate, with some fans appreciating the aesthetic appeal while others believe they convey a sexual message that may have crossed a line.
Opinions on TheQoo, a popular Korean online community, were mixed. Some commented, “I don’t even think these are sexy, they give off a very Japanese Gravure vibe,” “They did cross the line,” “Isn’t Taemin over 30, why is that fan calling him a boy?” “Hul, what’s with the underwear?” “I get he went for this vibe and people are having issues with it but I think it’s pretty. It fits the concept well.” “These are so shocking,” “The photo showing his abs and now the underwear photo…” “I think it crossed the line because it was too obvious,” “I think people are making a big fuss over nothing,” “I definitely think this crossed the line,” “These images are so questionable,” “hmm what is this concept?” “He’s a grown man so I don’t think he’s a boy,” and “That zippered bag and photos of his body parts…hmmm.”
Source(1)
