Despite both being the youngest members of their respective teams, BTS's Jungkook and SHINee's Taemin exhibit completely different musical styles. Jungkook, who rose to global stardom with BTS, solidified his presence in the international market with his solo song ‘Seven (Feat. Latto),' a key track in his debut solo album [GOLDEN] characterized by a classic pop sound. On the other hand, Taemin, who completed his military service this year, released [Guilty - The 4th Mini Album], which has a mature atmosphere and features somewhat more experimental and diverse soundscapes. These characteristics are distinctly showcased in their title tracks, ‘Standing Next to You’ and ‘Guilty’. It can be seen as a confrontation between trendy sounds and experimental music.
A global pop sound that makes the label “K” seem out of place
From the intro of Jungkook's song, references to various popular Western pop music come to mind. The song builds upon the successful funk-disco foundation seen in hits like ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Butter,’ adding a sleek, funky groove akin to a blend between Daft Punk and Justice, which enhances the sophistication. This includes a layer of The Weeknd-style vocal technique, which has become a familiar and essential element. Overall, it feels like Mark Ronson's ‘Uptown Funk (Feat. Bruno Mars)’ transformed into an electronic music version.
The glimpse of Michael Jackson's vocal technique towards the end of his song didn't just appear out of nowhere. As seen in the music video and live performances of ‘Standing Next to You,’ Jungkook has embedded his respect for the late star. To anyone watching, the choreography is unmistakably Michael Jackson's. This is another homage to Michael Jackson by HYBE, following ‘Back for More (TXT Ver.)’ by Tomorrow X Together. And Jung Kook mixes all of this together and naturally digests it. At the same time as revealing his musical direction through the title song, he is proving that K-POP is not different from British-American Pop.
The ‘Best Solo Male Singer’ shows greater maturity after military service
Taemin's songs create a rich sound palette with resonant snare drums, substantial string sections, and provocative bass tones. What follows and stands out is the part where Taemin sings as if whispering. The low-lying mood exudes mature beauty. To create a dramatic contrast, the latter part of the song gathers all the instruments and energy for a high-pitched burst. By actively utilizing dynamic effects, it stimulates the listener with a pure and high degree of sensuality.
Taemin’s performance is also radical. In the music video, the scene of Taemin dancing alone like a zombie leaves a strong impression, reminiscent of performance art. In particular, the point choreography where he slips one hand inside his clothes and wraps his face instantly captures the viewer's attention. Although he appears relaxed, Taemin swiftly executes sharp and precise movements, exuding the music's seductive charm onstage as well. The appeal is doubled when listened to with live performances or choreography videos.
In idol groups, the Maknae, or youngest member, often gives off a somewhat cute and naive vibe. However, this time it's different. Jungkook of BTS is producing the most remarkable music and achieving significant success among the members. Meanwhile, SHINee's Taemin is broadening his solo career's prospects with uniquely distinctive albums. Amidst the rise of the fifth-generation idols like ZEROBASEONE and RIIZE, the autumn of 2023 highlights a rebellion by the 'youngest' members, restoring the pride of their senior boy bands.
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