Musings on Music: Taemin 2nd mini album. "Want" Music Video

SHINee's Lee Taemin recently released his latest album in South Korea. It is entitled, "Want" and contains seven tracks. 

I would like to do a track by track by track review of this album. But, first, I would like to say a few things. 

The Music Video

When I initially watched the music video, I found it very creepy. Contrary to popular opinion, I honestly don't like it at all. 

I would like to say exactly why and at the same time, still respect the artist. My opinion is not to bash Taemin, rather, I want to help him. 

This song and music video are both very symbolic. The lyrics, I believe are talking about temptation, but rather than wanting to lead the listener out of temptation, they and the music and video together want to draw and beckon the listener in. 

Taemin is filmed with snakes in various parts of the video. I immediately became alarmed by this because the snake in the book of Genesis in the Bible was what Satan used to tempt Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden. I believe that the snakes represent temptation here as well. 

The video also partially shows forms of women, the lighting changes drastically and there are quick shots and extreme close-ups of Taemin. There is one point where he is wearing a net of some kind around his head. 

While these parts are not technically overt, they're not completely subdued either. They depict mystery, but forbidden mystery. Something that, again, wants to draw the listener and person watching the video in. 

I will say that this is very deceptively clever. 

However, now I will explain why I dislike everything about this music video. 

Taemin has said numerous times in interviews throughout his career that, he is a devout Christian. In particular, he is Catholic. 

In the past and even in the present, I have seen that his faith inside is very strong, but I also get the sense that he is afraid oftentimes to really show it. 

As a musician and composer myself, I know how difficult it is to share one's faith especially in a very secular entertainment industry today. 

The entertainment business today is very very liberal. They seem to more and more want to accept sexualizing of both men and women and it seems like the pressure is there for young artists and just artists in general that you have to be sexy in order to sell music and become famous. 

However, even if I desired fame, would I want to gain this and forever lose my soul? 

No, I would not. 

With all this being said, I am very deeply concerned for Taemin right now. I am concerned about his soul and his faith. 

In past interviews, he has talked about how much going to church means to him. How it gives him strength. He also talked about how in previous years, he has worn a rosary bracelet, which now he wears a rosary ring. 

In case anyone doesn't know what the rosary is and what it means, it really is a powerful prayer. You focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Life, Death and Resurrection throughout the prayers and with it, I believe it is a good teaching tool for sharing the Gospel with others. 

I really like how you can wear things like rosary rings and bracelets and it's another way besides wearing a cross, as a reminder of my faith and what Jesus Christ has done for all of us. How He came to save the whole world. 

How He is a living Savior! Praise God for that. I am so thankful. 

Anyway, Taemin at one point, I believe I read this happened around 2012 or so. He was at a concert with the other SHINee members and while they were performing on stage, he somehow lost his rosary ring. Soon after, a fan found it and started a process in which to get it back to him. He did get it back within a month. He said he was very grateful for this as it is one of his most precious possessions. 

Another time, I saw a video where he met a girl going through some serious health problems from what I understand. He wore a rosary bracelet at the time and he gave it to her and told her about what this meant and that he would be praying for her. 

I also read that he always prays before every single concert before he goes on stage. 

With all of this in consideration, I believe that his faith is very important to him. 

However, this music video along with some other songs, which he has recorded say something completely contrasting to this. 

Unfortunately, from a very young age, his record company has sexualized him. It's very very sad. I believe that they are continuing to pressure him into recording songs like these and that this is the only way he can break through in the entertainment industry. 

I do not believe this is the only way at all. Taemin is a very good singer and dancer. The way that he can make subtle and graceful movements is just beautiful to watch. 

I believe that these gifts come from God and can be used by Him. 

However, with videos like these, those gifts cannot really shine. Rather, I believe they are being stifled and used for only making money and spreading evil messages. 

I really hate what the entertainment industry is doing to people these days. What they want us to think is okay. 

I would like to say a few words to Taemin. 

Dear Taemin, 

I just want you to know that I care about you very much. I pray for you and the other SHINee members every single day. 

I pray that you can all live for the meaning of the SHINee name. It means to give and receive light. 

I was and am always excited for when you come out with new music as that in of itself is an exciting thing. However, I honestly do not like many of the concepts you have presented in your latest album and music video. 

The reasons being because they directly contrast with the Faith you have said is so important to you. 

Please, listen to me as a fellow Christian. I want to help encourage you to live out your faith in your music. 

Please, do not let the industry, your record company or anyone continue to tell you that you have to be sexy or convey concepts, which only encourage darkness and not light. 

You are a beautiful singer, dancer and I believe you are a beautiful person on the inside as well. 

Even though it isn't at all popular and it is very difficult to do, I want to encourage you to on your next album and in the future, to say no to things of this nature. 

I also want you to know that God will help you. He is always with you and even though this will be hard, He will help you. All the Angels and Saints will help you as well through the Holy Spirit. 

I want you to know that I have and will keep praying for you and do what I can to encourage you to support and do music, which is truly beautiful and conveys hope and light. 

One of SHINee's major messages is that they want to be trend setters. What if, instead of being trend setters of sexually charged concepts and darkness, that you are trendsetters of hope and light? 

What if you use the status you have as celebrities to convey a different message from the mainstream media? 

I do not know for certain if the other SHINee members are Christians or not, but I want you to know that I pray for them as well and for their salvation as well as yours. 

I hope and pray that you will be able to read and understand this letter. Unfortunately, even though I am studying it, I do not know enough Japanese and only a little Korean. Therefore, I can't translate it. I pray that the Holy Spirit helps you to understand what I've said here. 

I want you to grow as a singer and a musician, but not in this way. I do not want you to gain the world and lose your soul forever. 

I love you very much even though I have not met you in person. I love you with the love of Jesus Christ as I do the other SHINee members. 

I want you to know that there is forgiveness for anything you've done so long as you choose to repent thereafter. 

Please, I encourage you to think about this, Taemin. 

As a Shawol and friend in Jesus Christ, I pray that you'll be able to read this letter. 

Thank you, 

Sarah Prewitt

Image credits: 

Image one: 2019 SM Entertainment - obtained from SHINee official Twitter account. 

Image Two: 2018 Kawaii Buzzfeed - obtained from interview article. 

All of the rights belong to those who own them for the images used above. They are not used for any personal profit. I am only using them for fair use. If you would like any of these images taken down, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

My First Bandcamp Album is out!

Hello everyone!

I am excited to announce that my first of three albums, which I will be releasing on Bandcamp is out!

Mo Chara is a film set in Medieval Celtic Ireland. It is a family film which was screened at Celebration Cinemas in Lansing, MI on December 2nd 2014. 

The music score was a result of collaborative efforts of the director and others in the crew. These are two tracks which I composed. 

A trailer of the film can be viewed here. 




Website for the film company: epicsummermovie.blogspot.com

credits

released December 4, 2018

license

All Rights Reserved

Please Download and share this album! Thank you for your support!

My Current thoughts on Onew's Enlistment and how we can support SHINee

We all found out on November, 8, that Onew will be enlisting in the military on December 10, 2018.

We all knew that this would happen sooner or later, but for many of us, this was sooner than expected.

There are many Shawols (fandom of SHINee), who are sad to see him leave, I want you all to know that this isn't forever. He will be back.

Please remember that, he will be back.

The other SHINee members will have to enter the military soon as well. We don't know officially when yet, but they will have to as will others from other k-pop groups.

I pray for everyone's health and safety and that they all come back to us and can once again continue on making beautiful music for us and acting in dramas and films and we get to enjoy other things which will likely happen in their lives in the future as well. I hope for good things to happen to them.

For those who are unaware, all South Korean men have to serve in the military for what used to be two years. Thankfully, this has recently been lowered by a few months now and they only have to serve a year and a half. Men who are unable to serve because of health reasons, can do an alternative form of service to complete this requirement. There are those who are completely exempt as well, but that is for very severe problems. Nothing that I would want to wish on anyone.

As for thoughts for Onew, I hope that he can do well in the military and do the best he can in whatever he has to do. I hope that he can stay warm in the winter as, from what I know, it gets very cold in South Korea. I also hope that we will see some updates from him time to time and that he will get to see his family and friends at some point during this time. I have read that this can be a problem for many South Korean men and I hope that they can all see and hear from their families while serving in the military.

With all this being said, I want to share a few ways, I will be doing in order to support SHINee, during their temporary hiatus.

💎 Stream their music videos on official websites like YouTube and VLive.

💎 Vote for them in the end of the year awards and anything else we can vote for them in. This is important and also free.

💎 Stream their music on official websites like Spotify, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube (official uploads), and if you can - Melon, Genie, Naver Music, and LINE music. These aren't available in every country, but are an important part to South Korean and Japan charts.

💎 Continue to use official hashtags on social media and send encouraging messages to the SHINee members on their official SNS accounts. We won't know when they might read it, but on the chance they do, it's good to send them. Also, please post positive and respectful things about them.

💎 Lastly, if you can, please but their albums and official merchandise from reputable stores and online shops who have proof they count towards the charts in South Korea and Japan.

Another thing that I will be doing, since I've only been a Shawol for a year is watching their interviews, dramas, movies, and other things they've participated in over the last ten years. That will definitely help the time pass.

Please don't forget to support any of their solo activities. In particular, Key just released his debut music video and solo stages. Please watch them and support him when his album finally comes out. He's worked very hard for this. Taemin is coming out with a new album in Japan and Minho is currently filming a new movie. I look forward to all of these things and hopefully being able to collect their albums as well.

I hope that this helps anyone who is feeling sad or any number of mixed emotions over Onew and soon the other members having to go into the military. If anyone would like to talk about it, feel free to do so here or at my Instagram.

Instagram : @inspiredartblog

SHINee will be back!

Please Remember that, they will be back.

Please wait for them.
"私を待ってください!" Onew had us promise him.

SHINee From Now On album unboxing and CD Japan review

Today, I am excited to review my very first SHINee album that I have ever been able to own!

I am very blessed that I can finally own one of their albums as owning physical albums of an artist is very important to me when I really like them. I have not been able to do that in quite some time. I hope that in the future, I can continue to do this for SHINee as well as other artists I enjoy.

I bought my album from CD Japan and they have very good service. They have a wide selection of primarily Japanese music as well as books, movies and other things. This will be a two part review of the service with CD Japan and then the unboxing of the album.

I am an affiliate of CD Japan, however, this is an honest review of their service.

The Packaging

My album arrived in a medium sized box packaged together with the poster in a poster tube inside. The album was packed in Bubble wrap and then packing paper was on top and around that. I thought it was packed well and it wasn't terribly difficult to get into besides the poster.

The poster was in the poster tube and then tightly wrapped in light green tissue paper. if you carefully peel up the sticker, this is very easy to open. the little paper wrapper around the poster, however is a little difficult because it is very tightly wrapped around the poster. However, with patience and a sharp knife, this isn't too bad.

The packing slips and customs forms are filled out well and I didn't have really any problems with the shipping process, It also came very quickly through EMS. In my opinion, this form of shipping was totally worth it because it includes complete tracking and insurance on the package to make sure it reaches its destination safely.

The Album

As I mentioned before, this is the first of anything that I have had a chance to own of SHINee's I am very excited as this is their 10th Anniversary.

This album is quite beautiful and packaged very well. I chose to buy the A version which includes two CDs, lyric/photobook and the Blu-ray version of the album. The B version includes everything of the A version except that it is a DVD instead of a Blu-ray. The C version is the first CD which contains the 20 tracks. It contains a lyric book.

The outside case of the album is of a smooth matte finish nice card-stock paper. It is folded very nicely and doesn't have any loose ends in it like many cases like this do. It seems to be fairly sturdy. The title, From Now On is in a raised font.

The case with the three discs in it is very nice. It is very much in keeping with the theme of SHINee's color of Pearl Aqua. The artwork is all representing the various album themes SHINee has had throughout their career.

The case opens like a book the reveal the discs and the the tracklisting is on the back as well. The discs are well packaged in the thick plastic trays.

The photobook is 64 pages according to the sticker on the case. It is made of a textured paper and is thick and of good quality. The photobook contains the lyrics and goes along with the these of remembering the good times and what SHINee has been through together as a group.

Jonghyun is not forgotten in the album. You can see pictures of him as well as hear his voice throughout the album. I have included a few photos from the photo-book here, but I do not want to ruin the moment and surprise by including everything. There is a beautiful tribute to Jonghyun in the book. The book also includes the lyrics to all of the bonus tracks of the second disc as well.

The poster is also very beautiful. It is about 30" x 20" in height and width. The paper is semi-gloss and heavy weight. Mine came rolled and therefore was unfolded. The poster is in keeping with the theme of the album well and has a collage of all of the album covers and concepts from SHINee's Japanese albums from the very beginning up until now. I really enjoy looking at it and seeing how far they have come. I will definitely frame this one as it is very beautiful. Here are some close-ups of it. It's a large poster and therefore, difficult to capture completely in the camera.

I think that this album has come at the right time for all of us. Both SHINee as well as the fans We all really needed this. This helps us to remember Jonghyun as he was, an artist, singer, musician, dancer, composer, and poet.

Please purchase the album here! 

Note: I receive a small commission from these links at no charge to you! Thank you in advance for supporting this blog! All of the links on this page are for CD Japan.

**SHINee From Now On Version A:  2 CD, Blu-ray and Photo-book**

**SHINee From Now On Version B:  2 CD, DVD, and Photo-book** 

**SHINee From Now On Version C: 1 CD and lyrics only booklet**

Story Behind the Song: View by SHINee lyrics by Kim Jonghyun

The other day I found this very interesting video on YouTube about a musician who has a condition called Synthesia.

It's basically where they have a hyper sensitivity to different stimuli. In many people's cases, this is to sound. She sees different colors which correspond to different music notes she hears.

Here is the video below:

https://youtu.be/obrBAysVef0

As I was watching this video, I thought about the song by SHINee called View.

It's a very upbeat song with the lyrics written by the late, Kim Jonghyun. He was one of the vocalists with SHINee until he recently passed away. He also wrote and composed many beautiful songs.

Kim Jonghyun himself tells the story of how and why he wrote this song in the video below.

I think it is best to hear his words.

https://youtu.be/8RcGIfelp6I

Now that I understand a bit more about what this condition is, the lyrics make a lot more sense to me. I liked the song from the first time I heard it and now, it's been better.

Here are the lyrics below in the original Korean and English translation.

Lyrics translation credit to Color Coded Lyrics. https://colorcodedlyrics.com/2015/05/shinee-view

모두 할 말을 잃지 Like you
4차원 이상의 기적의 View
달콤히 찍어 문 빛의 퐁듀
보이기 시작한 음의 색도

예민해진 걸 느껴
뚜렷한 색감과
여섯 번째 감각 Tonight is the night
좀 거칠어도 좋아
더 민감히 굴어봐
더는 숨기지 말아줘

너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View
더 보여줘 다음 다음 다음 다음 View
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View

너무 아름다운 (그곳으로)
너무 아름다운 (데려가 줘)
더 보여줘 다음 (더 보여줘)
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View

저 하늘을 곱게 접는
이 바다를 병에 담는 시간도
편히 걷는 꿈들을 이뤄 난 (By my side)
[종/태] 상상한 게 뭐든 전부 보여 줄게
[종/태] 이제 말해봐 Yeah yeah

[온/키] 예민해진 걸 느껴
[온/키] 은근한 촉감과
끝없어진 감각 Tonight is the night
[온/민] 이상하대도 좋아(Yeah)
잠들었던 감각의 (You are)
한계를 넘어선 그 순간
Yeah yeah yeah

너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View (더 새롭게 날 홀려)
더 보여줘 다음 다음 다음 다음 View
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View (Oh girl)

너무 아름다운 (그곳으로)
너무 아름다운 (데려가 줘)
더 보여줘 다음 (더 보여줘) (Oh 더 보여줘)
너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 View
(Never leave you lonely)

지루함에 익숙해져
특별함을 잊었잖아
이제 천천히 고개를 들어 줘
내 두 눈에 입 맞춰

너무 아름다운
그곳으로
너무 아름다운 (그곳으로)
데려가 줘 (데려가 줘)

[온/민] 누구든 처음이겠지 Like you
(I feel a thousand senses)
[온/민] 별빛의 향과 맛을 본 것도
(I’ll never leave you lonely)
향기의 무게를 느낀 것도
(I won’t let you down)
소리의 색과 모양 본 것도

Everyone is lost for words like you
Beyond fourth dimensional, a miraculous view
Sweetly dip it in and eat the fondue of light
You can start seeing the color of the music

I feel that you’ve become sensitive
A clear color
And the sixth sense, tonight is the night
It’s alright if it’s a bit rough
Act more sensitive
Don’t hide it anymore

Such a beautiful view
Such a beautiful view
Show me more, the next view
Such a beautiful view

Such a beautiful view (To that place)
Such a beautiful view (Take me)
Show me more, the next view (Show me more)
Such a beautiful view

The sky is beautifully spread
In the ocean, time is in a bottle
I dream of peacefully walking (By my side)
Whatever it is you imagined, I’ll show you everything
Now tell me yeah yeah

I feel that you’ve become sensitive
The soft touch
And endless senses, tonight is the night
It’s alright if it’s weird
The moment you pass the limit
Of your sleeping senses
(Yeah yeah yeah)

Such a beautiful view
Such a beautiful view
Show me more, the next view
Such a beautiful view

Such a beautiful view (To that place)
Such a beautiful view (Take me)
Show me more, the next view (Show me more)
Such a beautiful view
(Never leave you lonely)

You were so used to being bored
You forgot about the specialness
Now slowly lift your head
Kiss me on my eyes

To that
Beautiful place
Take me to
That beautiful place

It’ll be the first time for anyone, like you
(I feel a thousand senses)
Smelling and tasting the star light
(I’ll never leave you lonely)
Feeling the weight of the scent
(I won’t let you down)
Seeing the color and shape of sounds

I hope that this post helps others appreciate this song even more as well as other songs of SHINee.

Music is so Beautiful! What am I listening to right now? Part 1

Hello Everyone!


Today, I wanted to talk about music. I am a musician and composer as well as being creative in other ways. I want to encourage you to be creative in whatever way you can be creative. Whether that be music, drawing, sculpting, writing or some other art form I did not name, I encourage you to use your gifts to glorify the Lord. He gave you those gifts.

Therefore, I wanted to talk about some of my favorite music. I like music in just about every genre and these are by no means my only favorite songs. My personal music tastes are quite extensive and vast. From time to time I might post links to videos and things I enjoy listening to. Perhaps you will discover something new as well!

Lately, I have been studying Japanese and therefore have been discovering a lot of Japanese Music. Along with that, I discovered a couple of K-pop groups who sometimes sing in Japanese, but mostly in Korean. Their music is beautiful as well.

In case some people are unaware and to properly respect one of the bands on this list and the people who sing in it, I want to say that Kim Jonghyun was a beautiful singer and composer of SHINee, he will always be remembered and greatly missed. Even though I did not know of their music very long before he passed away, it still affected me. I have a lot of respect for the remaining living members of SHINee who each decided and then as a group to continue on and bring us all four beautiful concerts in Japan in February. Thank you, SHINee, I can only imagine how difficult that was and is for you to do.

Japanese Music

Wagakki Band




One Ok Rock



K-Pop 

SHINee




Jonghyun




B.A.P.


I hope you enjoyed this playlist of music and find something which inspires you in some way.

On the effects of Cyber Bullying

I've been thinking for a while about what I would write about next.

I know that I usually do art supply reviews and tutorials, but lately, I have to admit that there have been many other things on my mind.

I am an international fan of the K-pop group, Shinee. For those of you who don't know, I'll tell the story about how I became a fan.

I decided some random day to watch a Korean drama as I had never seen any before. I was also curious as to how the Korean language sounded compared to Japanese or Chinese. I am currently studying Japanese, so I tend to find good anime and Japanese drama to help me learn that language.

I began watching the Korean drama,"Descendants of the Sun". It's mainly about a woman doctor and a man who is a soldier in the South Korean military. The story brings up a lot about the romance between them and apparently, later on the two actors got married in real life.

However, I like to look beyond the main story and my favorite character is a character played by a man named Lee Jin-ki. I really liked his character because even though his chanter made a lot of mistakes in not only the medical world as a cardio-thoracic resident, he also had struggles in his personal life. His story of  how he overcame these things and in the end, became a better person. I don't want to spoil too much, but I really like how caring his character was for people. I also liked his smile. This man's eyes and smile seem to convey light. I think it's beautiful.

After watching this program, I decided to find out what else this actor had been in. I found out that he is really a singer and does some acting on the side. His stage name is Onew and he is part of the group called Shinee.

I have come to enjoy their music and am still discovering it. The five men, who make up the group are all hilarious people. They seem like brothers.

However, in 2017, some really sad things happened. There was a scandal with Onew of which he later made a formal apology. However, people hated on him for that and seem to still be. They are saying horrible things about him and calling him names.

Then, a tragedy happened where Jonghyun suddenly passed away. This was and still is a shock to many people including the Shinee members who are still hurting very much from this and the circumstances around it.

The four remaining members just this past month on February 17-18 and 26-27 held concerts in Japan. They made the decision to still go through with them even after Jonghyun's passing. They all did very well at these concerts. They are each very special. I think that even though they were all very emotional during the concerts that this was completely normal. I thought that it was beautiful that they shared at least some of their real feelings with us. I don't know very many celebrities who have done this. We could see them in these moments, not as famous people or even really singers. They are human beings with very real emotions and that they cared very much about Jonghyun. He wasn't just a member of Shinee to them, but a friend, collegue and brother.

During their last concert, I heard an audio stream of it and poor Minho screaming Jonghyun's name out during one of the songs. He continued to sing after that, but was clearly crying through it. Throughout each of the four concerts, I listened to audio of them and could hear these various and raw emotions of these men in their voices.

I continue to pray for them and their families and friends affected by this as well as the fans. I really hope that all of us together can help them to heal from this. I hope that we can be of comfort.

Unfortunately, I've seen the other side of this as well. I've seen various videos online where people are trying to exploit these men's emotions. They are sharing pictures and videos of them crying and they are doing this to make fun of them or tear them down. I don't care that they are famous people or not. This is no way to treat a person. These people are clearly hurting over what happened. It's a lot for them to get up on stage and perform these concerts.

It's one thing if a fan posts a clip of video or even a song of where they got emotional and talks about how beautiful this was or their emotional reactions to it and how it helped them or something like that. That is fine, but these haters must stop.

I write this as a person created by God, recognizing that everyone is created by God.

You don't have to like all the songs of Shinee or every any of them. However, we should respect them and others as human beings and treat them with dignity.

Continuing to exploit their emotions does not encourage them to let out their feelings when they need to. Saying horrible things about them which aren't true or that you don't know is true is also wrong. Bullying other fans about how they are dealing with their grieving process is wrong.

I saw an incident on social media where someone from another k-pop fandom decided to ridicule and say that they didn't understand why this person was so affected by Jonghyun's passing. They started cussing them out and began a fight in social media. Some other fans as well as myself tried to comfort the man who was being bullied as well as get the spammer to leave them alone. This was uncalled for behavior.

I don't understand why people can't be respectful these days and why it seems like the media encourages it. It's almost like everyone wants their five minutes of fame.

What is that going to do? We have our entire lives ahead of us. This is the kind of thing that contributes to depression, suicide, self harm, self esteem issues and other social issues.

I hope that anyone reading this understands that I am not here to gossip or hurt anyone. Rather, I want to build people up. Whether they be famous or just some person who didn't seem to matter to anyone else. Each and every person matters to God and He created each and every one of us.

We each have the potential to do something for His Kingdom. If we choose first to follow Him and seek His Kingdom.

I pray for the salvation of Shinee and their families as well as many other musicians, actors, friends, family, and people who I don't know anything about. I pray for the salvation of the entire world. I may be one of the only people praying for someone, but it's a way I can help them. There are people everywhere struggling with various things. I don't know them and I can't talk directly to them, but I can pray that they will seek help and get the right help and find Jesus Christ.

I hope and pray that you do the same. If you want someone to talk to about anything, please feel free to contact me. I'm here for you wherever you are. I want to hear your stories and do what I can to help you.

Thank you to anyone who reads this. I hope that together we can do something about this problem.