Latest news with #LeeTaeYong

The Review Geek

TAEYONG: TY Track in Cinemas (2025) Review – A Concert Movie for the Fans

It's Personal For Taeyong fans, this film is about the music but also the vulnerability behind the bravado. For fans of K-pop, it's a glimpse behind the curtain of the making of an idol at SM Entertainment. Koreans love a story of personal evolution. Well, who doesn't? In Lee Tae-yong's opening lines, he shows photos from his childhood, talking about what a little rascal he was, never wanting to listen to anyone, particularly his mom. An SM Entertainment trainee since the age of 18, it's taken 10 years of work to get to the point of this solo concert which originally took place in Seoul in February 2024. It was a fantasy of fantasies for the young Tae-yong, known as a founding member of NCT, debuting in subgroup NCT U, leading NCT 127 and later joining the US-focused SuperM. He talks of 'TY Tracks' – a concept he's been developing since the beginning. His initial tunes had been criticized but he was encouraged by friends to keep building, learning and that's exactly what he's done. Many of his songs bring to fruition a harkening of the past. Sticking with the familiar name, it's the culmination of ten years of musical growth. Currently serving his mandatory military service in the Korean Navy, according to news reports, he remains on SM Entertainment's roster (though he talks like he's leaving the team on the film). The cinema release, next month, marks roughly 6 months until his service completion in December 2025. It's good timing to remind fans – NCTzens known affectionately as Czennies – after a year outside the limelight. READ MORE: Korean content or music reviews As the concert begins, Lee Tae-yong transforms into TAEYONG, emerging from a 'T' of lights in the sky with dancers swirling onto the stage below. With his multiple nods to Michael Jackson, from sparkly single glove to dance moves, Taeyong is clearly here to make a mark in pop as a soloist. For many of the tunes, 2 mini albums-worth, this is the first time he's performing them live. For a couple, he looks a little less confident. Whether it's having to fill the large stage on his own or the absence of group members with whom to vibe, there's just a little hesitation. After all, the expectations are high and though we didn't know it then, it was his last performance before his country-required 18-month lifestyle change. The necessary backing track for the soloist/dancer is sometimes distracting from the performance. Occasionally the dancers are as well, though they mostly serve to fill the space and offer a few opportunities for interaction. The number where he truly stands out, looking most confident and comfortable is 'Moonlight,' a tune performed as a solo but featured as part of NCT 127's 2021-2023 world tour, Neo City: The Link. So, there's little doubt that this one will be well-received and the crowd proves it. Does Taeyong rule the stage? Not always, but he offers sincerity and an openness that is enhanced by the breaks between songs. The behind-the-scenes mix of humility, regret and self-encouragement as he pours out mixed emotions, periodically pepper the film. In there too, is a smattering of rehearsals where the stress is clearly on. Taeyong is here to do well and he's feeling the weight of it. These revealing confessions make the movie, where he continually shows how much skin he's got in the game. So, no matter what he's singing about – gaming, loneliness, love – he shares a little bit about how the performance we see on stage was created. While he talks of strength, he reveals vulnerability. Even his off-hand comment about liking to keep his apartment dark – the bright lights are clearly for his work persona, not his sanctuary. The concert itself is meant to tell a story, he shares. A great love story – presumably dedicated to fans. Or to his mom, to whom he apologizes at the end. Was it for choosing his own future? Not being around and available? Not growing up filial? To fans, he notes that he seeks inspiration from them and hopes to give it right back. Either way, to both mother and Czennies, it sounds like gratitude. Are you planning to catch Taeyong: TY Track in Cinemas? What tune are looking forward to hearing the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. For more Taeyong, check out his official Instagram. READ MORE: Korean content or music reviews