“jonghyun”: Taemin Names His Beloved Late Bandmate As The Artist He Longs To Perform With

K-pop icon Taemin has touched the hearts of millions worldwide by sharing a deeply emotional, raw moment of remembrance for his beloved late bandmate, Jonghyun. On July 2, 2026, the popular music culture YouTube channel FLIP YOUR WIG released an exclusive backstage interview filmed right before Taemin took the stage for his historic UK outdoor concert. While the interview covered his massive career milestones, it was a beautifully honest answer at the very end that left fans in tears.

Taemin Moves Fans to Tears in Backstage Interview / Flip Your Wig YouTube

Reflecting on Historic Solo Records

During the sit-down interview, the multi-talented performer first discussed the honor of joining the star-studded lineup for Britain’s premier summer music festival, BST Hyde Park 2026. “Standing on that stage felt completely like a dream, and it was a true honor. I want nothing more than to return to this festival again in the future,” Taemin shared with a bright smile.

He also reflected on his historic solo appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States this past April, where he made history as the very first official Korean male solo artist to perform a full set:

“Looking back, I felt incredibly proud of myself. When I review my musical journey, it feels like my career has been shaped by breaking a lot of historical ‘firsts,’ from our recent Las Vegas arena shows to this massive Hyde Park festival stage.”

Looking forward to his future, Taemin teased that his upcoming music will show a much more personal side. “In this brand-new chapter of my life, I truly want to show the audience the real, unfiltered Taemin just as I am as an individual artist,” he explained.

“I Respect Him So Much”: A Beautiful Tribute to Jonghyun

The most memorable moment of the interview arrived when the host asked a deeply personal closing question: “If you could magically stand on stage and perform alongside any artist right now, who would you choose?”

Without a single second of hesitation, Taemin looked directly at the camera and answered with one clear name: “Jonghyun.”

Taemin Moves Fans to Tears in Backstage Interview / News1

The singer softly opened up about his eternal respect for his late brother and fellow SHINee member:

“He was a truly spectacular, brilliant artist, and standing on stage next to him again is something I would want more than anything. I respect and look up to him so incredibly much.”

Though it was a brief answer, the deep love, nostalgia, and quiet longing in his voice beautifully captured the unbreakable bond shared by the members of SHINee. Taemin and Jonghyun spent over a decade dominating the global music landscape together as core pillars of the legendary group, earning massive respect for their boundary-pushing live vocals and complex choreography.

Following the video’s release, international fans flooded social media platforms to share their emotional support, leaving thousands of comments celebrating the group’s tight-knit sisterhood and brotherhood. Longtime listeners expressed deep gratitude to Taemin for keeping Jonghyun’s artistic legacy alive in his heart, proving that the timeless stages the two shared will remain permanently etched in pop music history.