TEN’s New Heroes: “Turn my mess into messages..”

I would like to say Ten is my new hero just so I could insert the title of his song but I would be lying because I have been his fan since I saw him at Hit The Stage. I’m definitely not a new fan but here’s hoping you could be..

What’s not to love?

He can dance. He can also sing very well as I had recently discovered. Ten is utterly adorable offstage too which could also be due to the fact that he hailed from the Land of Smiles. That seems to be the winning combo for me – talent and personality. He is definitely one of my heroes (or in k-pop lingo: a bias). Jimin you’re one of my heroes too so chill, but this is Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul’s (Ten) song so he gets full attention for now.

Now, Ten. Did I mention I want to be his friend? This charming guy with his easy smile and forward nature. In Korean culture we would definitely be friends (the actual term used by Koreans to refer to people of the same age is “friend” 친구 – chingu) as his birthday is in the 27th of February 1996, three days after mine.

I want to see that sunny smile in person someday and see him perform too.

Ten is part of the group NCT. They’re the new kind of boy group in south Korea under the label of SM Entertainment. I say new because they have a unique arrangement compared to the usual groups in the industry. But I won’t be wasting my time explaining their concept because that would be disastrous for you and me. Just know that they do not have fixed members. They’re infinite and ever expanding with several units and sub-units that may or may not be fixed.

As much as I loved seeing him perform with his group, it’s not a lie to say that he shines more brightly as a soloist. It’s difficult to fully appreciate one’s insane dance skills within a group of already talented and hardworking members, and not to mention when not all members are given the time to fully shine. Who would get center stage definitely depends upon their concept at that time and members with more overwhelming personality and charisma takes the lead. Though his stage presence within the group is not to be missed, he is truly best appreciated in his solo form. Take his participation in the show Hit The Stage which gained him a lot of fans and would lovingly refer to that time as his sort of solo promotion.

NCT released several songs this year and Ten only got to participate in the sub-unit NCT U with the sexy duo concept of Baby Don’t Stop with Taeyong, which has become one of my most played tracks. I try not to play favorites and declare biases with groups but these two – Ten & Taeyong – makes it hard not to. Ten reminds me of Lay / Zhang Yixing at times but most especially now that he is doing solo activities too. Taeyong on the other hand is like Kai (EXO) who is always in the center stage and the focus of everything.

Now, back to Ten…

His first solo was released through SM Station which is Dream In A Dream featuring the dancers he also worked with in Hit The Stage. Dream In A Dream is more of a performance type of a song which displayed his prowess as a dancer. It is a masterpiece, if I may so boldly claim (or declare my decidedly biased opinion). The MV just floods your senses from its stunning visuals and the performance itself.

And when I thought this was one of the most aesthetically pleasing MVs from artists I support, Ten just proves me wrong yet again with New Heroes.

Facts: The song is performed entirely in English. Ten’s New Heroes debuted live at the SMTOWN Live World Tour VI in Dubai.

I had goosefreakingbumps after watching the MV and listening to the song, and it is due to a number of reasons I listed below when I was finally able to collect my thoughts much much later.

Vocals. I still can’t quite believe it. I mean he was already an amazing dancer but now he pairs it off with striking vocals and he sung it entirely in English. Not only the vocals but the arrangement itself is one hell of a job well done even though I’m not too fond of EDM types before. Not an expert on this but the instruments used in the beginning, the build up, the melody even though quite familiar in the ears and all of these combined delivers that intense feeling when paired with Ten’s vocals.

Dance. The beauty of performing solo is the audience won’t know if you mess up the choreo because you could freestyle the heck out of it. I know this song has its own choreography because you can’t expect less from SM (and there’s already a dance practice video released), but most parts in the MV looked like he was dancing so freely and just letting go – no holds barred and his seemingly effortless movements. Ten really is one amazing dancer – flexibility and technique honed through hard work – seeing how he danced so passionately with his catlike grace and demeanor.

Aesthetics. From his costume, the settings, editing, props, lighting and more, the music video is an aesthetically pleasing and artsy type one could appreciate, especially if the main character is also an art himself.

Lyrics. I’m a sucker for good lyrics and it comes with my quote hoarder personality too I guess. New Heroes’ lyrics conveys the strong will of being the generation’s hero by working hard and giving it all in every situation. It also speaks of his dream and how he made it to where he is now.

The Quote Hoarder presents the lyrics to this latest masterpiece which will not be leaving my playlist any time soon:

Nobody knows how I got here
Nobody cared for my dream
I get high off my lows and stronger
From the blows
So I keep on keep on keep on

All of the pains
Taste of the sweat and dirt
We all live for the day
They’ll be screaming our names
So we keep on keep on keep on

We’re the new heroes
We’re the new heroes
We’re the new heroes
Heroes

Fought off the wolves in sheep clothing
Stood up for what I believed
Turn my mess into messages
Learn from the lessons
And keep on keep on keep on

Through all of the fears
Taste of the sweat and dirt
We all live for the day
They’ll be screaming our names
So we keep on keep on keep on

We’re the new heroes 
We’re the new heroes
We’re the new heroes 
Heroes

Burning through nights
Paying the price
To be living legends
All of the breaks
Every stage
To be living legends

We’re the new heroes
(The future)
The new heroes

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The only thing that could have made New Heroes better is if it was longer. Can’t get enough of Ten!

Here’s the official debut in SMTown Dubai fancam version because Ten is best seen through the eyes of a fan – or her lens in this case. ❤ Ten out of ten!

Another random post by yours truly. This is me just wanting to share another song added to my Untitled Playlist and also fangirling about someone real, as opposed to fictional characters from books and shows.

Anyway, thanks for reading!

it got snatched..