15 B-side track performances of SHINee's Taemin that showcase his versatility

From having no solo lines in SHINee's first single "Replay" to becoming SM Entertainment's first soloist from an active idol group, SHINee's Taemin has indeed nothing left to prove why he deserves to be called the Idol's Idol.

Debuting as the group's main dancer at the age of 14, Taemin has redefined the meaning of hard work as he persevered to become the total performer that he is today. And while he shines and is at his best when he is with SHINee, his solo work is above and beyond perfection.

Many may know him as the legendary group's adorable maknae (youngest member) but he is a whole different person when he is onstage. His commanding stage presence is evident in every performance, with that intense gaze piercing through your soul and complex dance moves that are guaranteed to either make you scream or leave you speechless.

Source: supernoona_TM (Twitter)

Fans have praised the performances of his title tracks such as "Danger," "Move," "Want," "Criminal," "Idea," and "Advice," but those of his B-sides also kept them on the edge of their seats. This clearly shows how Taemin gives equal love and effort to all his songs, singing and dancing like his life depended on it and making sure that he will put on an unforgettable show.

In celebration of his 30th birthday on July 18, here are 15 stages of his B-side tracks to keep you entertained or, if you aren't a fan yet, turn you into one by the end of this article:

"Holy Water" - X™ ARENA TOUR 2019

Every "Holy Water" performance feels like a cult ritual--especially that "Oh believe in me, believe in me, believe in me, please" line--that you will gladly participate in without any hesitation. The part where Taemin's backup dancers join him on the elevated stage looking like a church choir will give you major goosebumps.

"Rise" - TAEMIN 1st Japan Tour ~SIRIUS~

All rise for "Rise"! A B-side track from Taemin's MOVE album, Rise is one of those songs that showcase his wide vocal range. Leaving the dancing to his backup dancer SANTA while he sings his heart out gave the performance more passion and depth.

"Pretty Boy" - OFF-SICK <on track>

Before SuperM, Taemin and his bestie Kai of EXO worked together in his 2014 song "Pretty Boy." It was written by SHINee's Jonghyun who effortlessly transformed the idol's feelings about being more than just a pretty boy into words.

"People have images of idols like, 'They are nice or pretty.' Although we have to carry those images, I also wanted to show different sides. So I talked to Jonghyun about it," Taemin shared in an interview.

While this performance does not include Kai, Taemin definitely delivered his message that he is someone to be taken seriously.

Here is one of his music show stages that feature Kai:

"I'm Crying" - TAEMIN THE 1st STAGE Nippon Budokan

Taemin may be known for his intricate dance moves that shake you to the core, but it's his ballads like "I'm Crying" that unveil his vulnerability and highlight his angelic voice. He creates this special connection with his audience, putting them in a trance that one might wish to never end.

"Heaven" - TAEMIN 2nd CONCERT [T1001101]

"Heaven" is one of the B-sides of Taemin's 2020 album Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2, but he performed this song in his T1001101 concert in 2019. Successfully pulling off this mind-blowing performance on a tilted stage without the use of harnesses is probably what heaven felt like for Taemin and his dancers. And when he said "I bet you like that,' the only response we can think of is "Yes, we do!"

"Sexuality" - TAEMIN 1st Japan Tour ~SIRIUS~

The comments on this video range from "this Taemin performance never fails to make me faint" to "is it me or it's hot in here" and we can clearly understand why. Those hip thrusts and body rolls are not for the faint-hearted.

"Soldier" - OFF-SICK <on track>

Taemin playing the piano? Amazing. Taemin playing AND performing on the piano? Absolutely breathtaking.

"Soldier" is the first song that Taemin wrote by himself, and it has a special place in Shawols' hearts when he served in the military.

"Black Rose" - TAEMIN THE STAGE

As one YouTube comment puts it, "TAEMIN's choreography [is] so intricate and delicate yet punctuated with strength and power!" and we couldn't agree more. All those moves where he and his dancers mimic the blooming of a rose are simply ethereal and so mesmerizing to watch.

"Hypnosis" - Music Bank in Chile

This just might be Taemin's most heart-wrenching version of "Hypnosis." As seen in his performance and the audience's reaction, the lines "Every scene in my head is a memory of you" and "I hypnotize myself so I can forget you" are more than just a longing for a lost romantic love.

"Just Me and You" - Beyond LIVE - TAEMIN: NGDA (Never Gonna Dance Again)

One of the best decisions that SM Entertainment did was to release this concert VCR on Taemin's birthday in 2021. Everyone deserves to see this visual masterpiece.

"Slave" - X™ ARENA TOUR 2019

Steamy, seductive, and sensual are the first three words that come to mind when describing Taemin's "Slave" stage during his X™ ARENA TOUR 2019. We're giving a special shoutout to the production team for knowing exactly how to film this performance.

"Already" - X™ ARENA TOUR 2019

This is the first time that Taemin performed "Already" live, a song also composed by Jonghyun that is included in the former's first full album, Press It. You can hear Jjong's vocals on the backing track flawlessly blending with Taemin's emotional voice, making this stage a bittersweet reminder of their loving relationship in SHINee and Jonghyun's contribution to Taemin's solo career.

"Door" - TAEMIN THE 1st STAGE Nippon Budokan

When you hear the first few notes of "Door," you have a clear idea of what you're getting: a tied up, blindfolded, and in this case, shirtless Taemin. This particular performance is just spellbinding, and his level of artistry really knows no bounds.

"What's This Feeling" - TAEMIN 1st Japan Tour ~SIRIUS~

"What's This Feeling" is that song at a concert that you just can't help but dance to. This performance during his SIRIUS tour in 2018 is also refreshing to watch with Taemin and his dancers just having fun and hyping the crowd at the same time.

"Love" - TAEMIN 1st Japan Tour ~SIRIUS~

This performance of "Love" speaks volumes about Taemin as an artist. His signature walk, the piano, those high notes, that emotionally charged dance, and overall stage presence are just some of the factors that make Taemin truly a league of his own.

In his eight-year career as a soloist, Taemin has broken gender norms and stereotypes, established his artistic identity, and created his own genre, all while being part of SHINee. We can't wait to see what he has prepared for Shawols on his second act. Happy birthday, Taeminnie!

KNOW MORE ABOUT TAEMIN AND HIS SHINee MEMBERS ONEW, JONGHYUN, KEY, AND MINHO IN THIS GALLERY: