[C/W - Content Warning]

Korean netizens are raising concerns about whether Taemin's latest mini-album has crossed the line with its level of sexualization.

Last month, on October 30, Taemin made a grand return as a solo artist with his 4th mini-album, 'Guilty.'

Taemin, who entered the music scene at a young age, has since established himself as a versatile and skilled artist, constantly pushing boundaries and exploring various musical genres to articulate his artistic vision. Over the years, he has earned status as a top idol in the industry, making him a source of inspiration for numerous aspiring idols and garnering a substantial fan base that admires and supports his work.

For his latest mini-album, Taemin explained, "It's been a while since I've made a comeback, shall I say it's Taemin's Cliche? I wanted to capture the real me that people want to see."

Despite his well-established reputation and the anticipation surrounding his latest release, some Korean netizens have expressed their concerns about the level of sexualization in "Guilty." They are debating whether the content might have overstepped boundaries.

One fan shared, "When you open the box...you make eye contact with a boy through a peephole. When you open it, that boy is laying on a motel bed. Aren't they crazy?" and "In the zippered bag, there are suspect photos. If you take them out, they're pieces of the boy. After seeing that, I wonder...did I really purchase a legal item?"

Another individual brought attention to a series of potentially provocative images: a pair of pants and underwear discarded on the floor, a photograph capturing Taemin sensually eating a piece of ice while suggestively placing his middle finger in his mouth, as well as the stylized font used to spell out the word "Guilty." These elements collectively raised eyebrows and sparked further debate.

Although some fans appreciated the aesthetic appeal of the photos, a significant number of netizens raised concerns, perceiving the imagery as conveying a sexual message that they believe may have crossed the line.

Netizens on TheQoo  commented with mixed reactions, saying, "I don't even think these are sexy, they give off a very Japanese Gravure vibe," "They did cross the line," "Isn't Taemin over 30, why is that fan calling him a boy?" "Hul, what's with the underwear?" "I get he went for this vibe and people are having issues with it but I think it's pretty. It fits the concept well." "These are so shocking," "The photo showing his abs and now the underwear photo..." "I think it crossed the line because it was too obvious," "I thinking people are making a big fuss over nothing," "I definitely think this crossed the line," "These images are so questionable," "hmm what is this concept?" "He's a grown man so I don't think he's a boy," and "That zippered bag and photos of his body parts...hmmm."