The Kulture Study: TAEMIN 'Guilty' MV REACTION & REVIEW 

What I find so extremely... almost gut wrenching, is how he is singing the part of the abuser but dancing the part of the abused. This is art in its highest form

being speechless while watching a Taemin music video is such a valid reaction 😭😭 god he ate that so bad

This MV is about his journey to the music world. Sexualization when he was still a child while he didn't agree to it, now he bites back. He knows you look at him, he knows you want him and he looks back at you. It's made to make you feel as uncomfortable as he felt when he was young. He's sexy, he knows it, and he's offering you the chance to look at him intentionally. If you open the Box version of the album, there's literally a hole at the bottom and from the photo album tucked in below it, his eye falls directly at the hole, making it seem like he's peeking at you. This MV, the notion of voyeurism he was subjected to, the amount of control people had on him while he couldn't fight back, these are all portrayed here. It's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable, it's supposed to be sexy but at the same time not, it's supposed to make you uneasy and it's his answer to all the people that have been sexualizing him since his youth. He's looking right back at you. He knows.

and the award for "mouth wide open as long as possible due to shock" goes to...... 😂😂😂😂

Can we have a moment for the strings in the arrangement? SM used a real huge orchestra for this song and you can hear the absolute scale of it.

I really love the detail of minute 15:28 in where Taemin lifts up the gaze of the person towards him and, in the next shot, the camera moves up at Taemin, like the audience is on his mercy and we're looking at him. It's so smooth and I'm here for it.

i love when an artist goes as far as possible when they step out. he outdoes himself every single time. like he really has layers upon layers, he sat down and CREATED!!!!

My favorite part about reactions to Guilty is just the stunned silence afterwards. Whether you like it, love it, or hate it, Guilty makes you feel and process intensely. It's like nothing else anyone is doing

That was literally me the first listen. I choked 😅. That's what I've been missing since he left for military, a song that gets me completely tensed up and breathless from the drama and sheer visceralness

Guilty as a song, but most of all the message of Guilty is much much bigger than a lot of people realize or even have a capacity to realize. It’s not just a song, it’s a statement, it’s a manifesto, it’s Taemin reliving his traumas, getting in terms with everything he’s been through and reclaiming his own life, identity, sexuality. Overall he shows us (fans, the industry) he’s finally in control and is no one’s puppet. Although it may seem like it on the surface level, the lyrics are not about some toxicity between lovers and shouldn’t be interpreted literally but figuratively. I consider Guilty to be a masterpiece, a super personal work of the highest caliber. Taemin is truly an unmatched artist.

I’ve heard so many different theories, the one that’s stuck with me the most is his struggle within the industry and how it took away his innocence at such a young age.

Taemin is a religious experience at this point honestly.

This song will always snatch my soul out my body with EVERY LISTEN

What I find extremely interesting with all Taemin's songs is that, superficially the lyrics always revolve around some type of love/relationship. Though if you pay better attention, their true meaning has always to do with inner struggles and personal demons and generally different sides of the human nature. It's truly exceptional how he lays down very intricate and personal concepts, in such a plain view and hidden at the same time. In the end he pleases every listener, because you can make your own conclusion out of the songs, either it's a deeper or a more superficial one.

Guilty is a masterpiece, got me speechless, sufocated and crying.

Taemin has talked about the literature that inspired this concept: Erotism: Death and Sensuality by Georges Bataille and Demian by Hermann Hesse. The fans are also seeing influences from Lord of the Flies. But the director said that his sole inspiration for the MV was Demian. Love that Taemin decided to do things his own way with his own colors. I don't see anyone else doing this concept, or even the way in which he does it. Just stunning! Great reaction, thanks for giving so much love to his work.

Guilty left me absolutely speechless when I first listened to it too and then again when I realized he whispers “FREAK” at 3:26 in the middle of that sick transition between him lifting up someone’s face and the camera switching to his face from a low perspective

He just keeps topping himself again and again with every comeback there’s no one like him I’m always left astonished at how much talent he has

taemin is truly one of the few artists who constantly is involved almost in everything when he releases something and you can feel that as you said taemin being just taemin is the biggest compliment he could receive as an artist he's one of a kind he's a trendsetter he's such a king periodt

He said that he aimed for an even more genderless look that looks natural when a guy does it, something persuasive, thrilling and breaking the limits of taboo. He also said that the album captures a more real taemin

20:02 “Queer-coded” is a feeling a lot of people felt. Between the lyrics “loving you’s a crime”, the skirts, in one of the scenes where Taemin is shown whispering to and very close to the other actors/dancers- both men and women are there. And the cinematography as well! Actually when the MV first came out a theory I saw floating around was that it actually took place in conversion therapy.

i love watching reaction videos to this song because everyone is always just speechless afterwards and it’s SO real.

As PD is going through the scenes of his dancing in the forest, every still he stops at looks like its own portrait. I don't know of any other artist who can enthrall a viewer/listener like taemin can.

He is just the epitome of a true artist, in every fashion!

You should watch the teaser video for this, I felt like that gave some additional context to the story. this feels like the MV for a psychological thriller movie.

Taemin never really know what staying in the same area when it's comes to making music and album evolution and growth as a performer and artist

the speechlessnes said it all! 🥲 you also said basically everything I love about this song, MV and Taemin himself 😊

Loved watching your reaction to Guilty. If you can, I recommend you to watch the two trailer videos that were released leading to the MV as those expand on the story. Adding to that, Taemin was in part inspired by Herman Hesse's Demian, specifically Abraxas, him wearing the feather crown is a depiction of the god Abraxas.

Dude, I'll get immersed in the mv and then look over at PD and he'll have the funniest expression on his face 😂

"God no..his muscles" 😅 ... 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Thank you for your reactions🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🙌🙌Guilty is the harcore reality of Love's trick game and Taemin just delivered raw reality!!!

Taemin never fails to make a good song tbf

Taemin is the king and the king is back, and he never disappoints!!!

This song still could give me goosebumps everytime I watched the MV

Your face while watching is literally me...every single time I watch it!! I love how he's the abuser and the abused....commenting on how he was treated as a teen, sexualized and he knows it...he knows we feel guilty and we look anyway....he is the KING

He ATE SO HARD!!! I was almost dying waiting for him to release hia comeback but it was all worth it. Every comeback is such a slay, he does has a very unique color as an artist 🔥😩

taemin is art

The dance move with the hand is so clever because by coming up through his shirt it looks like someone else is covering his mouth to silence him which fits so well with the abuse theme

Dear Form of Therapy, I've been watching your videos for several years already. I am totally agree with you. Thank you very much for such a great reaction to Taemin's "Guilty" MV. Taemin is really an Art and he has a very uniq vision of life (especially in the industry). I really appreciate his interpretation. Hope he can see your mv reaction.

Great reaction. This is why Taemin is who he is, in a league by himself. SMH... leaves you in awe.

Taemin is truly amazing but he is not given his due . I will always love him ❤👍

That final everytime everytime part, goosebumps! The tension it builds up to that moment, pure art. Your reaction was exactly my same reaction, speechless during the whole song 1st time I heard it❤

The man that keeps raising the standard of K-pop and I don't know if he is even trying anymore, it just oozes from him. The double meaning to the song is absolutely brilliant and for those curious and old enough to understand his message - re-watch following the lyrics and you will be speechless.

I kid you not, it took me more than five watches to realize the lyrics were about something so toxic. With lyrics on! Just because it's Taemin and the whole time I was like "yes, ruin me, of course no one would dare to punish you, yes you're guilty, guilty of being so talented and hot"

Have you watched the guilty trailers? They add a lot of context and play like the most stylish teen horror film-SM dorms what did you to baby Taemin? Lol

Taemin once again demonstrated that he IS the standard in the K-pop industry. He came back from the military and served pure cvnt.

Taemin is so artistic!! King of K-pop!!!

pd nim what took you so long! this was a masterpiece and i thought i was going to die without ever seeing you react. there is really something special about taemin's storytelling capabilities, and the desperation for "reckoning" that came with this piece in particular. the vocals, and choreo are magnificent to be sure, but the tone of the whole song just tore my soul apart. there are very few songs i've heard that i would describe this way, but this song is COMPLETE, you know? utter perfection.

The Shock & Awe & Saddness & Pain expression all in one was a perfect reaction, i think i mirrored it as well

Great reaction! I really enjoyed your analysis of the song and music video. I personally think this mv works so well because it doesn't just try to tell the exact same things as the song does. Instead, it adds to the meaning and mood, visually communicating Taemin's vision even beyond what the song encompasses: the cold, blue tones of the institution, the suffocating restraint, then the way Taemin breaks out of the control (almost feels like he's mind controlled), and burning it all down in cleansing fire, with a plethora of warm colours. I think the best multimodal art does this: communicating not the same thing through visuals and music (or text). Instead, it's about bringing something more to the whole, creating a sum that's greater than its parts. 'Guilty' excels at this.

So accurate the dancing gaslighting devil Taem Got us all on chokehold

My theory for the storyline based on the MV and the trailer for the MV (which has more scenes!) and just Taemin’s solo work in general is this; Taemin in his solo MVs usually takes on the role of a “devil” character, especially in MVs like Want or Idea(which shows both Heaven and hell scenes, which I think represents the devil’s fall from grace). I think Guilty is a prologue, judging from Taemin’s black hair and the fact that the character in the MV seems much more “human”. Taemin seems to be held at some kind of facility, most likely a mental institution or asylum of sorts that might double as a school. We don’t really know why he’s there, but in the trailer we seem him going on outings with the other patients and playing in the river. And although there seem to be enforced “check up’s” in a medical looking doctor’s room and there are also guards depicted as men in all white with hats- there’s still a semblance of happiness between the patients. Now something happens that makes Taemin begin to doubt and spiral. I think we see this moment in the trailer- where the patients are doing some kind of mandatory activity. They are all put in nice uniforms, a contrast to the loose fitting mismatched clothes they usually wear in the facility- and in the trailer we’re shown a gun that Taemin is made to shoot. He is incredibly anxious about it, seen needing an inhaler to breathe. We don’t see what happens, but Taemin claws into his own leg out of anxiety, and then finally shown clinging to one of the “instructor/guard”’s legs. I think this causes a significant shift for Taemin and he begins to spiral and question the facility. He no longer engages in pillow fights with the other patients and just watches aimlessly. Eventually, he can’t take and he runs outside- beginning his “dance”. I think Taemin then realizes what he truly is- that powerful “devil” creature he usually plays, and he frees the other patients. I think he actually needs to convince them a bit to “seduce” them to his side, in the MV he’s shown whispering to them (both male and female patients) and holding their faces. He dawns a crown, which I heard was actually inspired by the book “Damien”. And the other patients are blindly devoted to him and they cause fire and destruction. The patients look happy, but slightly crazed as they lose their sanity and themselves. They’re also seen contorting in weird ways, as Taemin leads their revolution they dance in the middle of chaos. I’m actually not sure exactly what becomes of this- because at the last few seconds of the MV- Taemin is alone. With nothing but a burning car (which is a reoccurring theme in a LOT of his MVs) and scattered papers, as he dizzily stumbles away. The biggest mystery of the MV (to me) is WHAT exactly happened to his followers/fellow patients.

I have been waiting for your reaction since the very first day of this video dropped! You did not disappoint, nor did the best in the industry, Lee Taemin.

PD just had the biggest shock of his youtube reaction history, never seen his reaction like this before 😁

At first glance the abs strike you. But many reactions to this mv seem to touch on the sad fact that he might be portraying a person who may have gone through some sort of trauma or abuse as a youngster, maybe even SA...which messed him up in viewing others, love, relationships in a mixed up way as he gets older...distorted way of feeling...detaching himself....perhaps delusional in seeing himself as a majestic being over those who mocked him...to the point of having trouble breathing...trauma....and feeling guilty....as he blames himself for the bad that others have done to him. Just saying, many have cried and expressed sadness watching the mv.

Man!!!! I missed u 😢 between reactors I love u the most because u are the only honest one ❤❤❤

"Artist" is how I also view Taemin. What he has done with "Guilty" astounds on many levels. I expected nothing less of Taemin. The way he dropped "Advice," I anticipated a powerful return. Still, I was not quite ready for "Guilty." Putting aside the theories and layers of meaning, I am still trying to sort out my response to this piece of work. This is incredible. I enjoy the whole album, with another of my favorites being "Not Over You." There is a performance video for "The Rizzness" that I hope you check out. I really did not expect that from Taemin, but it fits, and it is mesmerizing.

this is a masterpiece.

Please check guilty trailer! It will help you understand the video more:)

he's singing the bad guy lyrics but there's something about the cinematography and choreography that makes you realize he himself is both the manipulator and the manipulated and he's speaking about another person and himself as well. funny that you mention it feeling queer coded because he specifically talked about not wanting it to feel for a specific gender or about a specific gender he went for a non binary vibe and focus for this music.

Taemin breathes art.

That wide open mouth while watching ‘Guilty’ got me XD

This video and song represents for me that very moment when you are walking through art gallery passing emotionalessly though thousand paintings, and then you stumble on that one painting that make you stop, appreciate every small detail, and then reconsider your whole existence. Taemin is embodiment of ART ❤❤❤

My favorite shots are the show-mo ones of him on top of the car wearing the crown, as dozens of people surround, reach and claw for him.

Taemin’s music is a whole experience. I love his artistic vision.

You should watch his solo live concert because its actually unbelievable how much his vocal abilities improved

THE SILENCE after pd finished watching.... oh i so felt that..

I was waiting for this for a freaking long time! But I'm so happy you're back.

There's a Trailer for this MV that adds a little more information to the MV..

He made a masterpiece once again

Loved this Taemin comeback and loved hearing your thoughts about it!

I will wait till you react to Taemin's Rizness MV another top notch!!!! only king can

I know this is a teaming video, but I would really love if he got caught up with dpr Ian and his music, it has continued to raise the bar and he is always such a joy to watch and listen to so I hope you look into it PD-nim 😊

This is Taemin openly detailing the continuing toxic struggle between the relationship of his two egos or identities in his mind (indicated by the hand inside his shirt grabbing himself -- it's coming from inside himself): the demon tempting him with the perks of his celebrity life clashing with his Christian self desiring to adhere to his Christian worldview. Taemin absolutely loves what he does, but it is often in conflict with his personal side, and it would be so easy to give in to the multitude of temptations offered by fame. The person clinging to the attendant's leg is Taemin himself. He's trying to cling to his faith-based identity. He digs his fingers into his flesh to feel pain and bring him back to, or hold onto, reality. This personal story concept, initially introduced in his MV for "Press Your Number", also runs through his Japanese song, "Under My Skin, as well as "Criminal", "IDEA" (in fact the entire "Never Gonna Dance Again" Acts 1 & 2 albums), and "Advice". For this particular song/MV, Taemin indicated that he researched both "Demian" by Hermann Hesse and ""Erotism: Death and Sensuality" by the French philosopher, Georges Bataille. His concept is that of guilt and how humans process their guilt, especially with respect to dealing with toxic relationships -- like the internal one Taemin is illustrating here. For Taemin, this is displayed through the character he plays of Abraxas (wearing a headdress and representing the demon side of himself). However, Taemin also plays the character of himself being tormented by this demon who constantly plagues and entices him to go astray. The entire song is a dialogue between Abraxas and Taemin. During the dialogue, Taemin is struggling (the choreo) to fight off being possessed and swallowed completely by Abraxas. We see even more of this struggle in the performance video for "The Rizzness" an awesome b-side of this album. IT'S WILD! You clearly see the demon, "Abraxas" alone all in black and Taemin dressed in white (associated with innocence - rather than guilt, righteousness, and good -- the very antithesis of black in religious symbolism) with backup dancers. We see Taemin walking through institutions of his memory such as a school (which, as an introvert, he hated), hospital/mental institution (brainwashing-Taemin was extremely sexualized by the industry as a very young idol), and training center (SM?), always being controlled and in situations that produce temptations to go against his values. If he is not constantly vigilant, "....when you've caught on (Abraxas), I'm already gone (Taemin)." In other words, he will lose himself instantly because the temptations are so appealing and addictive (as illustrated in his MVs for "Want" & "Famous"). The "poison apple" is the bait, (again just like in "Want" & "Famous")..."want a bite?" "Just a little more, that's all it takes." "Gift you once as a bait, then I (Abraxas) take everything." The demon is the father of hundreds of lies. The pre-chorus and chorus are actually further dialogue between Taemin and Abraxas: [Pre-chorus] Ooh-ooh (On that vague border between good and bad - Taemin) You played the fool for me - Abraxas (My judgment in the final moment - Taemin) [Chorus -- all Abraxas] Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh You got me G-U-I-L-T-Y - Trick and take everything from you Again, just playing a game all for fun Hundreds of lies Ooh yeah Taemin is a genius when it comes to interweaving layers of meanings into his lyrics (which he often rewrites/tweaks from SM samples to make them fit his concepts) and leaving us mesmerized, trying to arrive at the deepest look into his psyche. This is why he is the ultimate artist for me. Yes, I love his dancing, but it's his lyrical and musical prowess that truly captivates me, while also gratifying my desire for deeper, meaningful Christian messaging that is usually lacking in actual Christian music.

one of his best, from mv to song to performance.

so happy to see you PD ! I was constantly checking your channel the past week!

The more I explore Shinee and listen to all their music, the more I realize what a 'busted' group they are in terms of range & musicality! 😮😘 How can 4 insane solo artists like Onew, Taemin, Key & Minho all be in the same group and sound completely different as Shinee?

One theory that I really love about this song is that it’s about some sort of conversation camp. It’s not to assume anything about teamin, but there is definitely something about that interpretation that speaks to me as someone who is LGBTQ+.

I really like to interpret the song and MV from a LGBT person perspective... When you are young everything is sweet, and then the pain from realizing who you are in a conservative context (like the boarding school). "You can't tell pain from love" when you are repressing your feelings. The move where he puts his hands under the shirt to grab his face/neck is also like when you try to restrain yourself. "Loving you is a crime". And then the depressive state (blue color grading in the MV) explodes in rage, destruction, exaggerated moves/outfits, you can't deny who you are anymore, but it's not pleasant, it hurts still, everything and everyone makes you feel in the wrong. Guilty. At the end he is tired, free, but lost. Coming out can feel like that... I'm not assuming anything about him!! I'm just interpreting from my perspective

I heard that the “school-like settings” are meant to be the memories of him being in the military…

watching this reaction vid, made me realize again how great this whole mv, music, cinematography, basically how great of an artist taemin is. oh well great is understatement.

TAEMIN is AN ART

Tuve la misma reacción y las mismas palabras. Lo mejor que haya visto y escuchado en años , ni hablar de la interpretación, transmite todo. Es arte

Me hearing BtOB Changsub screaming "Taemin...I love youuu" in the background 😂 Btw, Lim Hyunsik has released 'La Mar'. Both the musicality and cinematography are unquestionable. Please react to it.

Check out Taemins the rizzness mv also check out shinee's entire discography and solo work

make sure to check out the trailer of guilty as well. ❤ it’s so cinematic. 18:00

Thank You very much for Your amazing comments 😍

Your face said it all!!! Thank you

I enjoyed this Reaction & Review so much I can't even describe it 🤯🤯 I already loved this song and Taemin obviously but PD's reaction to "Guilty" just makes it so much more special and enjoyable for me as a fan, that I feel bad for people who don't know: 1. Kpop and 2. PD's The Kulture Study sessions for these masterpieces!!

Это видео и песня шокирует и потрясает.🖤 Многие начинают плакать, кто-то не находит слов, у кого-то мурашки по коже от его демонического шепота и голоса манящего как серена. Тэмин уникальный и величайший артист, настолько он соблазнительный художник, такой интеллектуал, он очень глубокий, придумывая эти сумасшедшие концепции я поражаюсь его фантазии и креативности. Тэмин идеален во всём. Потрясающий живой вокал, уже знаменитая опернная певица отреагировала на весь альбом Guilty. Она сказала, то как поёт Тэмин она не сможет повторить. Потому, что Тэмин поет правильным образом и он настолько хорошо овладел техниками пения, что создал свою собственную технику ! И она много говорила о его эмоциях, насколько Тэмин эмоционально поет, ты буквально не понимая корейсккого начинаешь чувствовать его. Я могу долго продолжать говорить о нем, но он действительно Idol of idols. Тэмин создаёт настоящее искусство. ❤

Thank you for reacting to taemin guilty... I was waiting for your reaction rather than others reactions... I hope you will be more healthy in the future.

Taemin is art and I will gladly go to hell for him

you should react to The Rizzness performance music video😍😍

"Shout out to the cameraman for keeping up with Taemin!"

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO REACT TO THIS 🤍🤍🤍🤍 knew you’d be the only reactor to give this mv justice

Taemin puro arte, para mí el mejor solista, amo su voz, su baile, su versatilidad ❤

This MV is based a lot on Demian by Herman Hesse.

This video, this song, this artist....i think Taemin is the God of it all! I really love his work. And your work, it has made my way of seing things differently. Thank you! ❤️

happy you're back I love your insight and thoughts

was waiting for your reaction to this!!

I’ve been waiting for this one, thank you sooooooo much