NCT’s Taeyong Claims He’s Tone Deaf And Has No Sense Of Rhythm, But NCTzens Find That Hard To Believe
NCT‘s Taeyong did a solo cover shoot for the first time in January 2022, and the accompanying interview with W Korea revealed some interesting facts about him. But one thing that fans couldn’t have seen coming is that Taeyong claimed to be naturally tone-deaf, and with no sense of rhythm at that.
Given his prowess as a musician and as a dancer, that is more than a little hard to believe. Taeyong has consistently proven himself to be one of the most powerfully charismatic performers in K-Pop.
But when he was asked about his days as a trainee, it was revealed that Taeyong struggled a lot with dancing as a trainee. Curious about how someone with virtually no dance experience could become the main dancer of NCT, the interviewer asked him about what his drive was to achieve the success he’s had. Taeyong revealed that he’d never even thought to consider pursuing the things he liked, like rapping, for example, as a career. At least, not until he joined SM Entertainment.
When I was in middle school, I told my parents that I wanted to go to an arts high school. So my mother helped me pursue several hobbies. I liked basketball, art and playing the piano, and I loved to rap with my friends. Of course, I didn’t even think of dreaming about a career in the things I did as a hobby. After I entered the company, I had the thought that, ‘There is no other way for me than this.’ I think I feel happy that there are people who like and rejoice in what I do when I work hard at it.
— Taeyong
Taeyong added that having the right people around him always helps motivate him to work harder, especially because he does not want to let anyone down.
I was able to practice harder and for a longer period of time with the thought that ‘I must not disappoint those people, because they are the ones who give me faith.’ I look for my friends when my confidence feels low. When I’m with people who listen to my concerns and who support me, I feel like the things I want to do come naturally to me, without the need to compare myself to others.
— Taeyong
But then Taeyong went on to drop an absolute bomb on fans, saying he actually doesn’t see himself as someone with a natural sense of musicality. In fact, even after all these years, Taeyong still thinks of himself as tone-deaf and with no sense of rhythm.
I actually used to be tone deaf and had no sense of rhythm. I still think I am. Knowing my shortcomings, I feel that I have no choice but to keep working hard.
— Taeyong
As the leader, main rapper, and main dancer of one of the biggest acts in K-Pop, Taeyong has always been a force to be reckoned with. The fact that he worked as hard as he did to achieve that is commendable, particularly considering where he started. And Taeyong admitting his shortcomings and the need to work on them proves his humble character—although NCTzens on Twitter still find hard to believe that even after all these years he would see himself as someone with no musicality!
Perhaps it’s even harder to believe since Taeyong revealed his central role in the choreographing of “ZOO,” which even sparked its own dance challenge. In fact, the ZOO choreography was such a big hit that not only did Taeyong end up having to upload the choreography video (which he posted on Instagram)…
…but SM Entertainment ended up uploading the recording of the viral performance from the SMTOWN 2022 concert as well.
In any case, while Taeyong has proven his talent as a performer for years, it’s also touching to see how he doesn’t take anything for granted. He is always working hard for what he has, and that’s something that all NCTzens value very much!
