Criminal (Taemin song) explained

Criminal
Cover:Taemin - iScreaM Vol. 5 Criminal (Remixes).png
Caption:iScreaM Vol. 5: Criminal (Remixes) cover
Type:single
Album:Never Gonna Dance Again
Released:September 7, 2020
Genre:Synthwave
Language:Korean
Label:
Producer:
  • Shae Jacobs
  • Score (13)
  • Megatone (13)
Chronology:Taemin
Prev Title:2 Kids
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Idea
Next Year:2020

"Criminal" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released as the lead single of his third studio album, Never Gonna Dance Again, on September 7, 2020, through SM Entertainment. A synthwave song with Stockholm syndrome-themed lyrics, "Criminal" was written by Danke, Lauren Aquilina, Chloe Latimer, Shae Jacobs, Score and Megatone, and produced by Jacobs, Score and Megatone.

Background and release

On August 28, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Taemin would be releasing the first part of his third studio album, Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1, on September 7, alongside the lead single "Criminal".[1] It was released in the same timeframe as the SuperM album Super One, causing Taemin to split his time between the two projects.[2] Two remixes of the song by DJ Minit and Sumin were released on September 29 as part of SM's iScreaM project.[3]

Composition

"Criminal" is a synthwave song with "newtro" (new retro) sounds and a Stockholm syndrome theme.[4] Taemin described the song as having "a dark, internal feeling".[2] It features narration from news broadcasts in the bridge, an idea that was introduced by Taemin.[2] [5] The song "pulsates with an intoxicating, borderline hypnotic groove", before building to "an explosive moment of catharsis" in the final chorus.[6] The lyrics depict being trapped in a toxic relationship in which Taemin is a victim and yet also complicit.[7] Billboard viewed the song as a continuation of themes previously explored in "Move" (2017) and "Want" (2019). They interpreted it as Taemin embracing the darkness of his alter ego, akin to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.[8]

Critical reception

"Criminal" received positive reviews from critics, with many labelling it one of the best K-pop songs of the year. Taylor Glasby of Dazed described it as an "opulent piece of sonic cinema".[7] Crystal Bell of Paper praised Taemin's versatility and artistry, calling him "a master of movement and sensuality".[6] BuzzFeed reporter Emlyn Travis stated, "No one in K-pop is doing it like Taemin". She ranked "Criminal" first in her list of the best K-pop songs of the year.[9] Writing for IZE, Kim Yun-ha praised the explosive energy of the song, highlighting the intensity of the final chorus.[10] According to Marga Buenaventura of CNN Philippines Life, the song "reinforces the idea that among male idols today, Taemin is indeed an ace among aces".[11]

Year-end lists

Critic/Publication! scope="col"
ListRank
BillboardThe 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020: Critics' Picks12
BuzzFeedBest K-Pop Songs of 20201
CNN Philippines LifeOur Best K-pop Songs of 2020
DazedThe 40 best K-pop songs of 20203
Idology2020: Top 20 Songs of the Year[12]
PaperThe 40 Best K-pop Songs of 20203
Refinery29Music Saved 2020: The 29 Best Songs Of The Year[13]
South China Morning PostThe best 15 singles from K-pop groups in 2020[14]

Accolades

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryResult
Mnet Asian Music Awards2020Song of the Year[15]
Best Dance Performance – Solo
Favorite Dance Performance – Male Solo[16]

Music video

The music video for "Criminal" was directed by Jo Beom-jin of VM Project Architecture, who had previously worked with Taemin on "Press Your Number" (2016) and "Drip Drop" (2016). Jo was handpicked by Taemin and they developed the music video together.[2] In the video, Taemin performs the choreography to the song on various sets, including a lava floor, a "sterile white room" and a setpiece inspired by The Devil's Advocate.[17] The choreography was created by Kasper and Koharu Sugawara.[17] Taemin had collaborated with Sugawara on several of his previous releases, including "Move" and "Want". He begins the choreography with his hands tied, an idea that was included at Taemin's suggestion,[2] and unties the knot with his teeth as the chorus begins.[10] At the song's climax, Taemin utters the line, "Destroy me more," while staring directly at the camera and running a hand through his hair.[17] Following this, the dancers, clothed in red, explode in movement around him, introducing "an element of catharsis".[17] Tassia Assis of Teen Vogue described this as "a surrender to the dark, twisty maze of his own artistry."[17] Billboard praised his use of "visual imagery as an extension" of the music.[8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1.[18]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[19] 25
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[20] 13
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[21] 10

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatVersionLabel
VariousSeptember 7, 2020Original[22]
September 29, 2020Remixes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200828080430366. ko:'컴백' 태민, 정규 3집 트랙리스트 공개..타이틀곡은 'Criminal' [공식]. 'Comeback': Taemin releases tracklist for third studio album.. The title track is 'Criminal' [Official]. Shim. Eon-kyung. Osen. Daum. August 28, 2020. ko. January 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603112337/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200828080430366. June 3, 2021. live.
  2. Web site: K-Pop Star Taemin On Taking Control With 'Never Gonna Dance Again'. Forbes. Herman. Tamar. October 1, 2020. February 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108173038/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarherman/2020/10/01/k-pop-star-taemin-on-taking-control-with-never-gonna-dance-again/. November 8, 2020. live.
  3. News: https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200924100444299. ko:태민 'Criminal' 리믹스 버전 29일 낮 12시 공개..iScreaM 프로젝트 5탄[공식]. The remix version of Taemin's 'Criminal' will be released at 12pm on the 29th.. iScream 5th Project [Official]. Osen. Daum. Kim. Eun-ae. September 24, 2020. March 6, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20201005064228/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200924100444299. October 5, 2020. live.
  4. Web site: http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111426479. ko:'컴백' 태민, 정규 3집 타이틀곡 'Criminal' 포함 9곡 수록..'듣는 스릴러' 기대↑ [공식]. "Comeback": Taemin's third studio album will have nine songs including title track "Criminal". Osen. Shim. Eon-kyung. September 2, 2020. February 13, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610003803/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111426479. June 10, 2021. live.
  5. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=410&aid=0000725679. ko:태민 "'Criminal' 퍼포먼스, 기승전결 뚜렷하게 표현하고 싶었다"(일문일답). Taemin: "I wanted to express the storyline clearly in 'Criminal'" (Q&A). MK Sports. Naver. Son. Jin-ah. September 7, 2020. January 20, 2022. ko. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132947/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=410&aid=0000725679. live.
  6. Web site: The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020. Paper. Bell. Crystal. December 18, 2020. December 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511115723/https://www.papermag.com/the-40-best-k-pop-songs-of-2020-2649534433.html. May 11, 2021. live.
  7. Web site: The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020. Dazed. Glasby. Taylor. December 19, 2020. December 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603125837/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/51406/1/the-40-best-k-pop-songs-of-2020. June 3, 2021. live.
  8. The 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020: Critics' Picks. Billboard. December 23, 2020. December 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210309183426/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9504174/best-kpop-songs-2020-top-20/. March 9, 2021. live.
  9. Web site: Best K-pop Songs of 2020. BuzzFeed. Travis. Emlyn. December 31, 2020. December 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603125858/https://www.buzzfeed.com/emlyntravis/the-best-k-pop-songs-of-2020. June 3, 2021. live.
  10. Web site: https://www.ize.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=25868. ko:무대에 영혼이 있다면: 태민과 유아처럼. If there's soul on stage: Like Taemin and YooA. IZE. Kim. Yun-ha. September 17, 2020. ko. December 12, 2021. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132948/https://www.ize.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=25868. live.
  11. Web site: Our best K-pop songs of 2020. CNN Philippines. January 1, 2021. January 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210101090958/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/Music/2020/12/22/kpop-best-of-2020.html. January 1, 2021. dead.
  12. Web site: https://idology.kr/13243. ko:결산 2020 : ②올해의 노래 20선. 2020: Top 20 Songs of the Year. Idology. December 30, 2020. April 12, 2022. ko.
  13. Web site: Music Saved 2020: The 29 Best Songs Of The Year. Refinery29. Morin. Natalie. Komonibo. Ineye. December 21, 2020. December 21, 2020. December 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201226123824/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/12/10216132/best-songs-artists-2020-taylor-swift-chloe-halle-twice. live.
  14. Web site: Herman. Tamar. The Best 15 K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2020. South China Morning Post. January 1, 2021. January 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20201224154849/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3115206/best-15-singles-k-pop-groups-2020-bts-blackpink-twice-are. December 24, 2020. live.
  15. Web site: 2020 MAMA Nominees. Mwave. March 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101040613/https://mama.mwave.me/en/nominees. November 1, 2020. dead.
  16. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003440342. ko:태민, 댄스 퍼포먼스 메인 솔로 상 수상…"올해 뜻깊은 상 받아 감사" [2020 'MAMA']. Taemin wins the Dance Performance Solo Award... "Thank you for the meaningful award this year" [2020 'MAMA']. My Daily. Naver. Kwon. Hye-mi. December 6, 2020. September 9, 2021. ko. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921123742/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003440342. live.
  17. Web site: K-Pop Icon Taemin Talks "Criminal" and His Cinematic Vision. Teen Vogue. Assis. Tassia. September 8, 2020. February 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603052854/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taemin-talks-criminal-and-his-cinematic-vision-interview. June 3, 2021. live.
  18. . Liner notes. 2020. SM Entertainment. South Korea.
  19. Web site: http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=37&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week. ko:2020년 37주차 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – Week 37, 2020. Gaon Chart. December 2, 2021. ko. January 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107162326/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=37&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week. live.
  20. Billboard K-Pop 100. Billboard Korea. December 2, 2021. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922114211/http://billboard.co.kr/chart/week/. September 22, 2020. dead.
  21. Taemin Chart History (World Digital Song Sales). Billboard. January 23, 2022. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132947/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taemin/chart-history/wdt/. live.
  22. Web site: Criminal. Melon. January 23, 2022. ko. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132948/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=32908826. live.

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