Taeyong, it has been ten years since you were announced to be an SM Rookie, and the years have been an absolute whirlwind. Watching your growth as a person as well as an artist is exhilarating.
It’s impossible to describe the feeling TyongF have seeing go from the 19-year-old rookie performing “Be Natural” with Red Velvet to the 28-year-old who just performed two sold-out solo concerts and promoting your second solo mini album, both of which where you participated in all aspects of the planning.
Every time you step on the stage, you take the attention of the crowd in front of you. A certain magnetism to you draws people in, from your sincerity to your passion, your talent to love, and the care you put into everything you do. You are so unapologetically yourself, and you aren’t afraid to share your fears and worries for the future with the fans who love and value you just as much as you love and value them.
Image Courtesy of Christa
As someone who has been a devoted fan of yours for the last six years, there is something indescribable watching you achieve every step of your dreams. Due to this, you have inspired many, myself included, to pursue their dreams no matter how scary those dreams seem. You have also been a source of comfort to us, with the live streams you would do to keep us company late at night, talking to the fans, watching videos, and just spending time together, but also the numerous ways you let us into your mind.
You let us into a part of yourself with your music, from the SM Station releases like ‘Long Flight’ or Soundcloud songs like ‘Blue’ or ‘Fine.’ Even on your official debut as a soloist, you included ‘404 File Not Found’, ‘Ruby,’ and ‘Gwando,’ all of which have helped fans through hard times.
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I can personally attest that you have a sixth sense of sorts when it comes to the fans needing you most. Even in my worst times, there has been a constant source of light. A light leading me away from the darkness and giving me hope to persevere and fight through the pain. That light was always you. Over the years, not only were you a constant in the hardest times, but you were always a part of the best moments in my life. Every moment where I felt happiest or the most pride in myself, you were there somehow.
I remember when I first decided to muster up my confidence in myself and apply to a university overseas, I was listening to ‘Dark Clouds’ on SoundCloud. When I got the email accepting me into that school, something I never thought I would achieve, I remember rewatching one of your V Lives. When I see you performing on stage, either with NCT 127, SuperM, or as Taeyong, the soloist, I feel a sense of euphoria that I never recall feeling anywhere else.
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I would feel ‘untouchable,’ as if the happiness I would feel in the moment was enough to sustain me for the rest of my life. Throughout every piece of music you’ve released and every bit of art you created, you have bared your heart and soul to the TyongF, who love you more than we can put into words.
You have shown us your fears and worries and let us into your mind, a place that is so awe-inspiring that we cannot comprehend how one man can be so incredible. You approach everything with so much sincerity and love, and it can be said that being your fan has positively changed the lives of many.
Your impact has not only affected TyongF in a personal sense but has also helped contribute to the betterment of the world. The fanbase has contributed to the world by donating to help build a school, donating school supplies and uniforms to school children, and even sponsoring the fostering of animals in shelters, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the things your positive influence has inspired fans to do. There are many things that people will be fans of secretly or consider a guilty pleasure, but there has yet to be a fan of yours that doesn’t claim to be your fan with their entire being and the most pride they can muster.
You have been there through the ‘Ups & Downs’ that we have faced, and as you wrote yourself in ‘404 File Not Found’, the fans hope you know that “even if you can’t find me, I’m always there for you. Don’t worry too much, you’re gonna be fine”. Things will constantly be changing in our respective lives, both your own and ours as your fans, but it’s also like you sang to us in ‘Ruby,’ we promise you forever.
Image Courtesy of Christa
Now that you have read the heartfelt words from this TyongF to the idol they look up to so heavily, it’s time to check out his 2nd mini-album, TAP, and hear the entirely self-made tracks that inspired this letter. Let us know in a tweet or an Instagram comment what you think of the songs and which your favorite was! Also, if you have an idol that has changed you for the positive, we want to hear about your experiences!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAEYONG:
FACEBOOK | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL YOUTUBE | SOUNDCLOUD | SPOTIFY | NCT TWITTER | YOUTUBE
