Tell Me What To Do Theory
tw mentions of guns, fire, and suicide (but this theory doesn’t include any of them actually committing suicide)
So basically it’s about how mainly Taemin, but also Minho, come to terms with their sexualities.
Right off the bat, there’s a lot of Catholic imagery, which is also significant because Taemin is Catholic irl. Crosses are seen a few times, even in the logo, and the music video ends with that image.
There are a few instances where Taemin is posed the way Jesus is on the crucifix.
This shows how he struggles with accepting that he’s gay especially because of his religions views.
I believe that the girl isn’t even real and is actually a projection of himself that Taemin has created. She has the same self destructive tendencies shown by them both playing with fire, Taemin with lighter and her with the match.
She is also seen drawing crosses on the wall linking it back to his Catholicism.
She isn’t acknowledged by any of the other boys and her only physical contact is with Minho, when they kiss and when he drags her away from the fight. Taemin wishes he were the one who could kiss Minho. When Minho drags her away it’s like he’s dragging away Taemin’s last hope of them being together.
In the car scene, Taemin looks at her so fondly because she is who he wants to be.
I also believe Minho is struggling with his sexuality, specifically because of Taemin, due to the fight scene. The fact that he reacted violently shows how desperate he is to avoid those feelings. He doesn’t want to admit that he has feelings for Taemin so he lashes out.
The rest of the boys look so upset because they know how both Taemin and Minho feel but can’t do anything to help them.
There is also the theme of the possibility of suicide that affects LGBTQ+ community. Minho’s is implied with the car explosion.
Taemin’s is again linked back to Catholicism when the guns point at him and he looks like he is about to be crucified on a cross.
I think the other boys might also be gay, especially Jinki because he has a gun on his bed. I don’t think that any of them actually commit suicide but it shows how pervasive this possibility is to the community. I think it also represents their friend group falling apart.
So there you have it! I’m happy that there are so many queer themes despite how dark it is. I think it portrays the struggle people have with their sexuality really well.
