Quotes from Lee Tae-min

When we actually met our U.S. fans, it was slightly awkward and new at first, but it made me think that we should really visit more often in order to grow closer and more comfortable with our fans here.

I wanted to go beyond what K-pop is typically perceived as, and through 'Move' I was able to show a concept that's more edgy, more powerful.

I wanted to break the idea of what male performers are supposed to show, what performances girl groups are supposed to show. I really wanted to break those labels, showing that dance is a form of art.

K-pop itself is not just a music genre, but a whole cultural phenomenon.

Just as your attitude changes depending on where you are, I choose my clothes according a situation I'll be placed in. However, I usually like to wear casual and comfortable outfits for the most part.

I don't want to compare SuperM to any of the other groups.

The synergy created from clothing, hair, and makeup combined is truly amazing, so makeup has been, is, and will be a key factor in establishing my identity as an artist.

If you ask me, I'd say what the world now considers K-Pop began with SM Entertainment. SM was the very first company to take musical influences from Western culture and incorporate Korean culture into that by rearranging and writing lyrics with our style.

The memories of my time with Jonghyun are precious to me. He's like family to me, so I will never forget him and I will always keep him in my heart.

I spent about a total of one year preparing for the 'Want' album.

I envy Jonghyun's technique and energy, Onew's voice, Key's rapping skills and Minho's looks.

As an artist who performs on the stage, I try to express my feelings and convey my inner thoughts through the looks I give the audience. So, I tend to focus on making sure that my makeup highlights my eyes properly.

If makeup highlights and empowers my unique appeal, why not use it?

I can try new genres because I know there are fans who will always be there to support what I would like to pursue.

I like 'I Can't Stand the Rain.' I like it because it has a really oriental feeling to it, an 'oriental taste,' it has an essence of Asia.

For me, my mentor was Rain who I like and admire so much. To be able to appear in the same place with him as a mentor to someone is meaningful and such an honor.

For the 'Heaven' stage, the dancers and I don't use wires so we are slowly slipping down the stage if you see us up close.

Recording and performing 'Replay' was a learning process throughout, as we focused on the details.

I would like to recommend 'After Putting On Makeup' off our 1st LP, 'The SHINee World.' All of our albums are meaningful to us, but I have more attachment towards it because it is our first album.

I always imagine, and try to be on the lookout, for new things, for references that can inspire me creatively so I can showcase things that people haven't done before or that are new.

I wanted to write a song that can comfort you, and make you feel like I take you to 'Heaven.'

When we work together as a group we don't contribute individually as much as I do when I'm working on my solos. I try to give as much input when I'm working on a song or album but as a group it's kind of difficult since there are five of us. Having all of us contribute to the same extent is a little more challenging than when doing our own things.

I listen to a lot of religion-based music, culturally rich music. Ethnic and world music. Music from Latin America has been influencing me in particular.

I've been in SHINee for 10 years, so starting a new team almost felt like getting a different job. I was excited; it felt so fresh, like a new start. To be honest, I thought the project was going to get cancelled when I first heard about it, so SuperM has a special place in my heart.