Never Gonna Dance Again

It was initially reported that Taemin was preparing to make a comeback in July 2020.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000285966|title=SM 측 "샤이니 태민 7월 컴백, 신곡 발표+여러 활동 계획 중"(공식)|trans-title=SM: "Shinee Taemin's July comeback, new song release + various activities planned" (official)|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|work=Newsen|via=Naver|date=June 5, 2020|language=ko|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625222855/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000285966|archive-date=June 25, 2020|url-status=live}} However, the comeback was delayed due to a wrist injury Taemin sustained while practicing choreography.{{cite web|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020070814363603180|title=샤이니 태민 손목 골절상 "솔로 컴백 재조정"[공식]|trans-title=Shinee Taemin's wrist fracture "recalibration of solo comeback" [Official]|last=Yoon|first=Sang-geun|work=StarNews|date=July 8, 2020|language=ko|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610000737/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020070814363603180|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live}} On July 29, 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that Taemin would soon be releasing his third full album, Never Gonna Dance Again, starting with the release of prologue single "2 Kids" on August 4, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=021&aid=0002436984|title=태민, 8월 4일 정규 3집 프롤로그 싱글 '2 KIDS'|trans-title=Taemin to release prologue single '2 Kids' from third studio album on August 4|last=Ahn|first=Jin-yong|work=Munhwa|via=Naver|date=July 29, 2020|language=ko|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212400/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=021&aid=0002436984|archive-date=June 2, 2021|url-status=live}} This was followed up by the release of the first half of the album, Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1, on September 7, accompanied by title track "Criminal". The album features nine tracks, including "Criminal", "2 Kids" and a Korean version of the Japanese song "Famous", previously released by Taemin in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200828080430366|title='컴백' 태민, 정규 3집 트랙리스트 공개..타이틀곡은 'Criminal' [공식]|trans-title='Comeback' Taemin releases tracklist for third studio album.. The title track is 'Criminal' [Official]|last=Shim|first=Eon-kyung|work=Osen|via=Daum|date=August 28, 2020|language=ko|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603112337/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200828080430366|archive-date=June 3, 2021|url-status=live}} Two remixes of "Criminal" by DJ Minit and Sumin were later released on September 29 as part of SM's iScreaM project.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200924100444299|title=태민 'Criminal' 리믹스 버전 29일 낮 12시 공개..iScreaM 프로젝트 5탄[공식]|trans-title=The remix version of Taemin's 'Criminal' will be released at 12pm on the 29th.. iScream 5th Project [Official]|work=Osen|via=Daum|last=Kim|first=Eun-ae|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2021|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005064228/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200924100444299|archive-date=October 5, 2020|url-status=live}}

The second half of the album, Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2, was released on November 9, 2020, alongside lead single "Idea", which includes vocals by BoA.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201106131016635|title=보아, 태민 솔로 타이틀곡 '이데아' 가창 참여..역대급 케미 '기대감 UP'|trans-title=BoA participated in Taemin's solo title track 'Idea'.. Best chemistry ever, 'expectations up'|work=Xports News|via=Daum|last=Choi|first=Hee-jae|date=November 6, 2020|language=ko|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212211/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201106131016635|archive-date=June 2, 2021|url-status=live}} The album also features the song "Be Your Enemy", a duet with Wendy of Red Velvet.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201102090302109|title=태민, 정규 3집 3곡 작사 참여..레드벨벳 웬디 피처링까지(공식)|trans-title=Taemin participated in writing lyrics for three songs on his third studio album.. Red Velvet's Wendy also features (official)|work=Newsen|via=Daum|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|language=ko|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111074055/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201102090302109|archive-date=November 11, 2020|url-status=live}} The two "acts" were later released together in an album repackage entitled Never Gonna Dance Again (Extended Ver.) on December 14, 2020, which includes all eighteen tracks.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201207090630021|title=샤이니 태민, 14일 정규 3집 합본 앨범 'Never Gonna Dance Again' 발매(공식)|trans-title=Shinee's Taemin to release third studio album 'Never Gonna Dance Again' on the 14th (official)|work=Newsen|via=Daum|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|language=ko|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603024114/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20201207090630021|archive-date=June 3, 2021|url-status=live}}

The album featured Taemin's highest level of creative involvement to date.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarherman/2020/10/01/k-pop-star-taemin-on-taking-control-with-never-gonna-dance-again/|title=K-Pop Star Taemin On Taking Control With 'Never Gonna Dance Again'|work=Forbes|last=Herman|first=Tamar|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=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/|archive-date=November 8, 2020|url-status=live}} Taemin described it as "a moment of growth for me as an artist," saying, "I just really wanted to emphasize my individual talent and showcase my character as an artist, my own individual style." The album is intended to reflect a turning point in Taemin's career,{{cite web|url=http://www.wkorea.com/2020/08/25/reptile-%ed%83%9c%eb%af%bc/|title=Reptile (태민)|work=W Korea|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203132939/http://www.wkorea.com/2020/08/25/reptile-%ED%83%9C%EB%AF%BC/|archive-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live}} and themes of identity and rebirth are central to the overarching narrative. Taemin envisioned the series as a "cinematic story," comparing the separate parts to a movie and its sequels that can stand alone but form a complete narrative when brought together.{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taemin-talks-criminal-and-his-cinematic-vision-interview|title=K-Pop Icon Taemin Talks "Criminal" and His Cinematic Vision|work=Teen Vogue|last=Assis|first=Tassia|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603052854/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taemin-talks-criminal-and-his-cinematic-vision-interview|archive-date=June 3, 2021|url-status=live}}

According to Taemin, "Act 1 is about rebelling against the ordinary and the process of finding a new ego." Lead single "Criminal" is a synthwave song with newtro sounds and a Stockholm syndrome theme.{{cite web|url=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111426479|title='컴백' 태민, 정규 3집 타이틀곡 'Criminal' 포함 9곡 수록..'듣는 스릴러' 기대↑ [공식]|trans-title="Comeback" Taemin, nine songs including "Criminal", the title track of his third full-length album|work=Osen|last=Shim|first=Eon-kyung|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610003803/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111426479|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live}} "Black Rose" features rapper Kid Milli, and combines dark and colourful keyboard sounds with lyrics referencing a solar eclipse.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202009011005090410|title='컴백' 태민, 7일 정규 3집 발매 확정…키드밀리 박문치 참여|trans-title="Comeback" Taemin confirmed to release his third full-length album on 7th. Kid Milli and Park Moon-chi participate.|work=Newsen|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610004858/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202009011005090410|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live}} "Strangers" is a dark pop song with an oriental melody. It describes the moment of meeting a past lover by chance and pretending to be strangers. "Waiting For" is a medium tempo dance track featuring a violin melody and Spanish guitar adlibs. "Famous" expresses the conflict between the artist's onstage and offstage persona. "Clockwork" is a pop ballad that recalls memories of a former lover by incorporating the ticking sound of a clock. "Just Me And You" is an R&B pop song with a retro tape source, whispering vocals and heavy drum beats. R&B song "Nemo" makes use of rhythmic guitars and evokes a 90s sensibility. The final song on the album is prologue single "2 Kids", and includes lyrics written by Taemin concerning painful memories of love as a child. It is described as an electropop song with warm guitar sounds, and is noted for showcasing a more emotional side to Taemin's vocals in contrast to his usual intense performance style.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200729090419556|title=태민, 정규 3집 프롤로그 싱글 8월 4일 공개.."이별 노래, 작사 참여"|trans-title=Taemin will release the prologue single to his third full-length album on August 4... "Break-up song, participation in lyrics"|work=Xports News|via=Daum|last=Kim|first=Mi-ji|date=July 29, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2021|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610005125/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20200729090419556|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live}}

"Idea" is inspired by Plato's theory of forms and the allegory of the cave. Taemin described it thus: "instead of 'being trapped in a cave' and living in the shadow of the truth, I want to free myself from the darkness and embark on a journey of enlightenment where I discover a new ego, identity and meaning."{{cite web|url=https://hypebae.com/2020/11/taemin-lee-never-gonna-dance-again-act-2-album-superm-member-korean-music-release-interview|title=Taemin on the Making of 'Never Gonna Dance Again : Act 2'|work=Hypebae|last=Mitchell|first=Ashlee|date=November 10, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419051312/https://hypebae.com/2020/11/taemin-lee-never-gonna-dance-again-act-2-album-superm-member-korean-music-release-interview|archive-date=April 19, 2021|url-status=live}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1 track listing

| extra_column = Arrangement

| total_length = 31:00

| title1 = Criminal

| lyrics1 = Danke (Lalala Studio)

| music1 = {{hlist|Lauren Aquilina|Chloe Latimer|Shae Jacobs|Score (13)|Megatone (13)}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Jacobs|Score (13)|Megatone (13)}}

| length1 = 3:31

| title2 = Black Rose

| note2 = {{Korean|hangul=일식|rr=Ilsik|lit=Solar Eclipse}}) (Featuring Kid Milli

| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Kim Soo-jin|Kid Milli}}

| music2 = {{hlist|Greg Bonnick|Hayden Chapman|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}|Adrian McKinnon}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|LDN Noise|Deez}}

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = Strangers

| lyrics3 = Kim Min-ji

| music3 = {{hlist|Daniel Davidsen|Peter Wallevik|Sarah Barrios|Linnea Södahl}}

| extra3 = PhD

| length3 = 3:03

| title4 = Waiting For

| note4 = {{Korean|hangul=해몽|rr=Haemong|lit=Interpretation}}

| lyrics4 = Kim Min-ji

| music4 = {{hlist|Noah Conrad|Rollo Spreckley|Jake Torrey}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Conrad|Spreckley|Torrey|Deez}}

| length4 = 2:57

| title5 = Famous

| note5 = Korean version

| lyrics5 = Lee Seu-ran

| music5 = {{hlist|Didrik Thott|Daniel Kim}}

| extra5 = Daniel Kim

| length5 = 3:00

| title6 = Clockwork

| lyrics6 = {{hlist|Lee Seu-ran|Bong Eun-young}}

| music6 = {{hlist|Britt Burton|Harvey Mason Jr.}}

| extra6 = Mason

| length6 = 3:47

| title7 = Just Me and You

| lyrics7 = {{hlist|Mola (Makeumine Works)|JQ}}

| music7 = {{hlist|Sam Gray|Steve Manovski|Jimmy Conway|Ryan S. Jhun}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Gray|Manovski|Conway|Jhun}}

| length7 = 3:34

| title8 = Nemo

| note8 = {{Korean|hangul=네모}}

| lyrics8 = {{hlist|Noday|Aisle|Park Moonchi}}

| music8 = {{hlist|Aisle|Park Moonchi|Noday}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Park Moonchi|Noday}}

| length8 = 3:56

| title9 = 2 Kids

| lyrics9 = {{hlist|Jo Yoon-kyung|Taemin}}

| music9 = {{hlist|Matt Thomson|Max Lynedoch Graham|Ninos Hanna|Jenson Vaughan|Marlene Strand|James F. Reynolds|Tim Stuart}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Arcades|Blur}}

| length9 = 3:33

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2 track listing

| extra_column = Arrangement

| total_length = 30:01

| title1 = Idea

| note1 = {{Korean|hangul=이데아|rr=Ide-a|hanja=理想}}

| lyrics1 = Moon Seol-ri

| music1 = {{hlist|James Foye III|Austin Owens|Jimmy Claeson|Adrian McKinnon|Tay Jasper}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Foye|Owens|{{ill|TAK (producer)|lt=TAK|ko|한원탁}}}}

| length1 = 3:14

| title2 = Heaven

| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Taemin|Yoo Young-jin}}

| music2 = {{hlist|{{ill|Klara Ósk Elíasdóttir|is}}|Markus Videsäter|Emanuel "Email" Abrahamsson|Yoo}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Email|Yoo}}

| length2 = 3:02

| title3 = Impressionable

| note3 = {{Korean|hangul=유인|rr=Yu-in}}

| lyrics3 = Kim Woo-jung

| music3 = {{hlist|MNEK|Daniel Davidsen|Peter Wallevik|Lewis Blissett}}

| extra3 = PhD

| length3 = 3:02

| title4 = Be Your Enemy

| note4 = featuring Wendy of Red Velvet

| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Park Tae-won|Hwang Yu-bin}}

| music4 = {{hlist|Noah Conrad|Brooke Tomlinson|David Brook}}

| extra4 = Conrad

| length4 = 3:35

| title5 = Think of You

| note5 = {{Korean|hangul=안아줄래|rr=An-ajullae|lit=Will You Hug Me}}

| lyrics5 = Taemin

| music5 = {{hlist|Max Lynedoch Graham|Matt Thomson|Wilhelm Börjesson|Marcus Holmberg|James F. Reynolds}}

| extra5 = Arcades

| length5 = 3:18

| title6 = Exclusive

| note6 = Korean version

| lyrics6 = {{hlist||Mola (Makeumine Works)|JQ}}

| music6 = {{hlist|Fredrik Thomander|Dennis Mansfeld|Dani Paz}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Thomander|Paz}}

| length6 = 3:24

| title7 = Pansy

| lyrics7 = {{hlist|Jung Young-ah|Taemin}}

| music7 = {{hlist|Bram Inscore|Alma Goodman|Darin}}

| extra7 = Inscore

| length7 = 3:50

| title8 = I Think It's Love

| note8 = {{Korean|hangul=사랑인 것 같아|rr=Sarang-in Geot Gat-a}}

| lyrics8 = minGtion

| music8 = {{hlist|Andrew Choi|Kim Yeon-seo|minGtion}}

| extra8 = minGtion

| length8 = 3:35

| title9 = Identity

| lyrics9 = Jo Yoon-kyung

| music9 = Steven Lee

| extra9 = Steven Lee

| length9 = 3:01

}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end lists ! scope="col"| Critic/Publication ! scope="col"| List ! scope="col"| Work ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class=unsortable| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
scope="row"| Time | The Songs and Albums That Defined K-Pop's Monumental Year in 2020 | Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2 | {{NA}} | {{cite web|title=The Songs and Albums That Defined K-Pop's Monumental Year in 2020|url=https://time.com/5920059/best-kpop-2020/|website=Time|last=Moon|first=Kat|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514202931/https://time.com/5920059/best-kpop-2020/|archive-date=May 14, 2021|url-status=live}}
scope="row"| Rhythmer | 10 Best Korean R&B/Soul Albums of 2020 | rowspan="2"| Never Gonna Dance Again | 5 | {{cite web |title=2020 국내 알앤비/소울 앨범 베스트 10 |url=http://board.rhythmer.net/src/go.php?n=19236&m=view&s=feature |website=Rhythmer |access-date=January 5, 2021 |date=January 4, 2021|trans-title=10 Best Korean R&B/Soul Albums of 2020|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225235205/http://board.rhythmer.net/src/go.php?n=19236&m=view&s=feature|archive-date=February 25, 2021|url-status=live}}
scope="row"| South China Morning Post | The Best K-pop Solo Albums of 2020 | {{N/A}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web |last=Herman|first=Tamar|title=The Best K-pop Solo Albums of 2020|url= https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/artists-celebrities/article/3114302/best-k-pop-solo-albums-2020-boa-kai-hwa-sa|website=South China Morning Post|language=|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217175534/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/artists-celebrities/article/3114302/best-k-pop-solo-albums-2020-boa-kai-hwa-sa|archive-date=December 17, 2020|url-status=live}}
scope="row"| MTV | The Best K-Pop B-sides of 2020 | "Clockwork" | 2 | {{cite web |title=The Best K-Pop B-sides of 2020 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3173138/best-k-pop-b-sides-taemin-boa-bts-list/ |website=MTV |last=de Luna |first=Elizabeth |access-date=December 30, 2020 |date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607164832/http://www.mtv.com/news/3173138/best-k-pop-b-sides-taemin-boa-bts-list/|archive-date=June 7, 2021|url-status=dead}}
scope="row"| Rolling Stone India | 20 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2020 | "Idea" | 5 | {{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Riddhi|title=20 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2020|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/20-best-k-pop-music-videos-of-2020/|work=Rolling Stone India|access-date=January 2, 2021|date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516234524/https://rollingstoneindia.com/20-best-k-pop-music-videos-of-2020/|archive-date=May 16, 2021|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Music program awards ! scope="col" width="150"|Song ! scope="col"| Program ! scope="col"| Network ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| "Idea" | Inkigayo | SBS | November 22, 2020 | {{cite web|url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2020112216170005548|title='인기가요' 태민, '이데아'로 1위|trans-title=Taemin wins first place on 'Inkigayo' with 'Idea'|last=Jeong|first=Han|work=Hankook Ilbo|date=November 22, 2020|language=ko|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123052153/https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2020112216170005548|archive-date=November 23, 2020|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

{{Lee Tae-min}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2020 albums

Category:Taemin albums

Category:SM Entertainment albums

Category:IRiver albums

Category:Albums produced by Steve Manovski

Category:Albums produced by Lee Soo-man

Category:Dreamus albums