Taeyeon And Key Reveal The Songs They Absolutely Hated And The Songs They Never Thought Would Succeed

SHINee‘s Key invited Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon over for dinner on an episode of his solo reality show Cheongdam KEYchen. Over good food and dessert, Key and Taeyeon looked back on their past songs.

As every SONE knows, Taeyeon admitted once again that she hated promoting ‘Gee’ because it didn’t fit her personality and taste. But she recognizes the important meaning it holds for Girls’ Generation as a group, so she treasures it dearly.

Even so, it was the song that was able to appeal Girls’ Generation to the public so it’s a treasured song.

— Taeyeon

Key, in turn, revealed that he hated promoting ‘Hello’. It also clashed with his personality, but he looked back to realize that it was an important stepping stone for SHINee.

I really hated promoting ‘Hello’. Thinking back on it now, it was a song that we needed. But I really hated performing it back then.

— Key

Key also hated promoting one of SHINee’s most famous songs, ‘Ring Ding Dong’! He hated it not because of music taste and genre, but because of its addictive spell that never left his head!

It wasn’t a problem of personal taste, but I had a difficult time during ‘Ring Ding Dong’. Everywhere I went, I heard ‘Ring Ding Dong’ playing. I didn’t even want to hear the song’s name.

I think I heard it over a million times. I would be sitting in a quiet car, but ‘Ring Ding Dong’ would be playing in my head.

— Key

Key also asked Taeyeon if she ever thought one of her successful solo tracks wouldn’t do well. Taeyeon actually didn’t think ‘Why’ would succeed on the charts because she lacked confidence to be a solo artist that also dances on stage.

I was [skeptical] about it. It wasn’t bad – and I like it now – but it was a rare solo track of mine that had choreography to it.

I felt burdened during ‘Why’ promotions because there was choreography. I felt the need to do well as a solo artist who also dances.

— Taeyeon

She never imagined that she could succeed as a soloist with a choreography, much like BoA. But she took her staff’s opinions and went ahead with ‘Why’, which ultimately succeed on the charts!

The only artist that I could think up of that was a soloist that dances was BoA. I didn’t believe that I would ever be able to do as well as BoA.

I told my staff that I didn’t believe I could do it, that I just couldn’t do it. But my staff convinced me to go ahead with ‘Why’.

— Taeyeon

Taeyeon and Key may have had their doubts and struggles throughout their career as musicians, but they fondly look back on every song and promotion and agree that there was no way that they could’ve gotten to where they are now without undergoing those past memories.

Looking back now, it was fun. Because of those moments, I was able to continue having fun [in my career].

— Key

Thanks to those moments, you know how to enjoy life.

— Taeyeon