SHINee 'JongTae Controversy'

Forgive me one moment as I address one group rather than all of Kpop. Regardless, I believe this is important and needs to be said.




Dear Shawols,

I am assuming you have seen -or at least heard of- Jonghyun and Taemin's new duet act. The song is "Internet War", by Seo Taiji, and it's been introduced as part of SWC2 and they also performed it at SM Town Seoul just a few days ago. The reason that I assume you've heard of it is that this performance features some very heavy metal guitars and a very much shirtless Jonghyun (covered in fake tattoos) getting... very up close and personal with maknae Taeminnie. It looks like they're going to kiss, but they don't. This is clearly fanservice. I will reserve my own personal opinion on the performance for the sake of an intelligent journal post.

Today though, I have stumbled across something even more shocking. I am not even sure how to say this, but apparently some 'fans' (if you can call them that) have decided to start a petition to kick Jonghyun and Taemin out of SHINee. God, that was hard to write!... As I have learned from my research thusfar, these people are slamming JongTae either because they believe that they are distroying SHINee's innocent(-ish) image or simply because they do not like the pairing itself.

I have this to say: these people are not true fans.
A true Shawol would never even consider splitting SHINee. They are five, pure and simple.

... Since when has this been a thing? who doesn't support them? Bling Bling puppysaurus and the maknae dancing machine? I support and love Jonghyun and Taemin just as much as Onew, Key, and Minho (perhaps Taeminnie even a little more *coughbiascough*). Sure, I was a really surprised, but my first thought was "DAMN, this is going to make good fanfiction! " not "UNACCEPTABLE! BAN THEM!". They're not babies, guys, and their image has to grow up with them at least somewhat.
Is there a chance that this growing up might come off as a little sudden and shocking? yes. But to be quite honest, we had to have known that they were not going to stay the adorable younger-brother-types circa Replay era forever. All throughout SHINee's career, they have been maturing. from Replay to A.Mi.Go, Juliette to Ring Ding Dong, Lucifer and now this. When I first heard that Taemin did a cover of a song by Korn (a Nu Metal band I also listen to occasionally), I will admit I was momentarily horrified and sad that my bias was no longer innocent. But watching it a few different times and seeing the way he now carries himself on shows and interviews, I put two and two together and realized that he did not want to be the cute little baby anymore. He is 19(/20) now and doesn't want to be 12 years old when he is not. That doesn't mean he doesn't still have cute moments , just that they are not so constantly put on for show. and Jonghyun.... well, he's always been the master of the sexy stare down. It's just now that he's learned how to strip from Siwon been given the oppertunity by SM to try out that metal style like he's always wanted.

I fear I am getting a little distracted from my main point. These people, these antis and backstabbers, need to stop NOW. This is enough! Just because T-ara recently outed a member does not mean give you the right to start editing every other Kpop group's roster as well. Do not make me start a new trending motto. Cassiopeia will always Keep The Faith. ELFs Prom15e to 13elieve, 10ve, and prot3ct.
I will always remember that It takes 5 to SHINe.



If it makes any difference, they (meaning JongTae) know that this flaming is going on and it is not going to stop them from performing it again. Jonghyun has changed his profile picture on Twitter (realjonghyun90) to a picture of him and Taemin at the end of their Internet War performance. Though he has not directly spoken of this, on August 18th, the day of the SM Town Seoul concert, he tweeted this:
"I'm doing my duties. I'm thankful for you just watching me. Even if the things we want become different and we have no reason to see each other, I will still be on stage. I'll always be thankful to the people who I've met eyes with until then. It's not important where they are but how we met eyes at some point."
"I met eyes with many people today as well. Whether those people liked or disliked my performance, I'm thankful that they created the performance together with me. Because there has to be people who are watching in order for the concert to be great.. It's an emotional time so it feels like going back to the 8th grade..!! Thank you for today ^^ It was fun"


Links for your reference:
sukaiagatsuma.deviantart.com/a…
fav.me/d5bvik5
www.tumblr.com/tagged/jongtae
twitter.com/realjonghyun90 <-Jonghyun's twitter
www.twitlonger.com/show/itpphd, www.twitlonger.com/show/itpqqj <translations
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lbkcf…
Fancams - JongTae "Internet War"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgv8tP…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-mex6…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGJ4wE…
Taemin - "Get Up"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ZSLw…