Watch Taemin’s Gritty, Elegant Video for ‘Advice’

South Korean superstar Taemin returned earlier today with his third EP Advice and its lead single of the same name. The release was accompanied by a music video for the title track and is the follow-up to the singer’s November 2020 LP Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2. 

The music video for “Advice” is a gritty and elegant blend of gender-bending fashion and sleek choreography. The SHINee member barely breaks his fierce eye-contact with the camera as he executes rapid footwork and shifts from one stark set to another. The video is packed with striking visuals–some of the highlights include scenes of Taemin alone with a gleaming black piano, the singer crashing a car as shards of the windscreen glitter around him and powerful choreography clips that hero contrasting colors.

The track itself is a curious mix of alternative R&B/trap and classical piano. “Advice” allows Taemin’s vocals to shine as he delivers soaring falsettos over the chorus and in the background adlibs. The lyrics see the artist advising both himself and his significant other to walk away from what was definitely a volatile relationship. He is determined to escape as he sings, “The more you try to trap me, I’ll go off the rails so take a good look/ If you want to see the end, push my buttons/ It’s for you One advice/ Best take my own advice.” The meaning of the track could also be perceived as criticism of the press or perhaps even a struggle with one’s own demons.

With a total of five tracks, Advice is Taemin’s final record before he enlists for mandatory military service at the end of this month. The vocalist and dancer previously had a comeback with his group SHINee in February with the LP Don’t Call Me and also promoted its repackage Atlantis in April.