Entry tags:
ooc | app
Name: Lee Taemin
Birthdate/Age: July 3rd, 1991 / 22 years old
Journal:![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
danzer
Screenname: feintingspells
Blood Status: Halfblood
Grade: 7th Year
House: Slytherin
Background:
Taemin was born one rainy July 3rd in New York City. His mother would sometimes tell him, when he was being his most difficult (like he was many many times growing up), that he had been a stubborn, driven boy from the moment he was born. As the saying went, mothers know best and she was certainly right about him.
His parents separated a year after he was born - he would never know the how and why, his mother didn't like talking about it much. What was clear was theirs was an amicable separation. They hadn't even been married yet when he was born and so there was nothing messy to be taken care of. No divorce papers, nothing. Just a simple agreement as to who their son would live with, how, and when. Taemin stayed with his mother most of the year, spending long holidays with his father and the shorter ones with his mother. Money was never really an issue - his mother's work was designing for a high end name and to that end, Taemin was schooled in what many would call a fancy school, an international school for privileged children. He maintained good relations with both his parents growing up, even though his father's wife never seemed to like him much. His halfbrother on the other hand got along with him well enough.
He began learning to dance almost as soon as he could walk - a born natural, his teachers called him. There was little that he loved more than dance. There were just as many low points as there were low points but falling never had him down for long, only beat into him that if he wanted anything, whether it was first place at a competition or setting a new record for himself, he would have to work for it and earn it. He grew up hating whenever anyone would imply that it was his mother's money or name that got him anywhere and worked himself to the bone in order for his skills and talent to be good enough that it was obvious he earned it with his own hardwork and took no shortcuts.
Even as a child, strange things were occuring around him. Taemin had always considered himself a little weird compared to some but these were accidents of broken or missing glass altogether, the stereo burning out for no reason when he flared up and got angry. One of his childhood memories was when he'd accidentally killed a bean plant he was growing for a class project - he was so worried he would get in trouble and hid it from his mother but the next morning, he woke to find that it was fine (and healthier than ever even). He never told his mother but he got the feeling she knew anyway (forget eyes on the back of her head, he wouldn't be surprised if she knew what he was doing blindfolded).
He was fifteen when his father made the trip to New York City one Christmas break. Normally winter breaks were for his mother, so he was naturally surprised. His father spent a few days doing nothing but seeing the sights, with him as the tour guide before he took him aside. He made Taemin promise not to freak out - an odd request, but his father had always been a little... different (he figured that was where he got it from and well, he wasn't too off the mark). Whatever Taemin had been expecting though, it wasn't "Taemin, you're a wizard."
At first he laughed and almost handwaved it off but he quickly saw that his father was being serious. His father went on to explain that he was the same, and he was sorry for having hid it from Taemin all this time. His mother joined them to tell him that she had known as well but figured that he would understand better when he was older. His father told him about Shin Mabeob and answered the questions that never seemed to stop coming from Taemin - everything was a blur and a buzz and it turned out to be a bit much to drop on the sixteen year old all at once. His father ended his trip with an offer - he could take Taemin back to Korea with him, where he could attend Shin Mabeob and learn for himself about the unseen world he never knew existed, learn to control the magic he had in him.
Taemin considered it back and forth for two weeks. His answer was a yes, undoubtedly after his mother's encouragement ("You were always a bit more special than other kids. Not just because you're crazy, of course. You know what I mean.").
One of Taemin’s philosophies in life is not to regret any decision he’s made. Once a decision is made, the consequences must be dealt with. This was what he told himself when he arrived in Korea and found himself welcomed by pretty much only his father. His father’s family received him coldly, more coldly than he could have ever expected. It was jarring and yet, he felt a strange relief. He was sure at least here, he wouldn’t be assumed to have gained anything for the name he had. But of course, there was also the sinking feeling that he was little, if anything, to this side of his family, who hardly acknowledged him as one of their own.
His mother always told him that “Happiness is the best revenge.” Not that he held any particular grudge towards his father’s family, but the goal was still the same. He would simply get over this hurdle the same way he did everything else life threw at him - with hard work, blood, sweat, and tears (though he hoped tears wouldn’t be so much). It was along this way Taemin discovered quidditch. Sneering from cousins that “someone like him” wouldn’t be able to play, much less play with them, gave just the right kick for him to learn. His father, noticing his struggle, urged his cousins to allow him to play, much to Taemin’s embarrassment, as he’d wanted to convince them himself.
He appreciated the sentiment nonetheless, and took it upon himself to make sure it wasn’t wasted. He was made to play beater, and though he was beaten more times than he was doing the beating at first, every single time he got back on his broomstick and kept going. He gained begrudging acceptance this way, from some of his cousins at least. From this his drive to become better at quidditch grew, though he came to love it with or without the acceptance it came with.
A year later, he was enrolled in and began attending Shin Mabeob Academy. There was little time spent sorting him - the hat had scarcely touched the top of his head before he was announced “Slytherin!” and off he went, into the nest of serpents. As a student, he did exceptionally well in a handful of subjects, with average up and down grades in most others, with his worst class being Transfiguration.
Once he became confident enough in his skills, he tried out for his house’s quidditch team, going for Beater predictably. He played the position for a year, before being called aside by his captain the next year. Their seeker having graduated, he suggested that Taemin’s build was better suited for the position. After trying out and proving his captain correct, Taemin took up the post. He has held it ever since.
Taemin aspires to be a national leagues quidditch player; it is to this end that he takes his quidditch playing very seriously. Of course, he realises that such a lofty goal leaves much up to chance even if his skills are up to snuff. His plan B (aka. the more realistic goal) is to be a cursebreaker. Adventure tied into study and the hard work he’s so accustomed to - Perfect.
Personality:
Birthdate/Age: July 3rd, 1991 / 22 years old
Journal:
danzerScreenname: feintingspells
Blood Status: Halfblood
Grade: 7th Year
House: Slytherin
Background:
Taemin was born one rainy July 3rd in New York City. His mother would sometimes tell him, when he was being his most difficult (like he was many many times growing up), that he had been a stubborn, driven boy from the moment he was born. As the saying went, mothers know best and she was certainly right about him.
His parents separated a year after he was born - he would never know the how and why, his mother didn't like talking about it much. What was clear was theirs was an amicable separation. They hadn't even been married yet when he was born and so there was nothing messy to be taken care of. No divorce papers, nothing. Just a simple agreement as to who their son would live with, how, and when. Taemin stayed with his mother most of the year, spending long holidays with his father and the shorter ones with his mother. Money was never really an issue - his mother's work was designing for a high end name and to that end, Taemin was schooled in what many would call a fancy school, an international school for privileged children. He maintained good relations with both his parents growing up, even though his father's wife never seemed to like him much. His halfbrother on the other hand got along with him well enough.
He began learning to dance almost as soon as he could walk - a born natural, his teachers called him. There was little that he loved more than dance. There were just as many low points as there were low points but falling never had him down for long, only beat into him that if he wanted anything, whether it was first place at a competition or setting a new record for himself, he would have to work for it and earn it. He grew up hating whenever anyone would imply that it was his mother's money or name that got him anywhere and worked himself to the bone in order for his skills and talent to be good enough that it was obvious he earned it with his own hardwork and took no shortcuts.
Even as a child, strange things were occuring around him. Taemin had always considered himself a little weird compared to some but these were accidents of broken or missing glass altogether, the stereo burning out for no reason when he flared up and got angry. One of his childhood memories was when he'd accidentally killed a bean plant he was growing for a class project - he was so worried he would get in trouble and hid it from his mother but the next morning, he woke to find that it was fine (and healthier than ever even). He never told his mother but he got the feeling she knew anyway (forget eyes on the back of her head, he wouldn't be surprised if she knew what he was doing blindfolded).
He was fifteen when his father made the trip to New York City one Christmas break. Normally winter breaks were for his mother, so he was naturally surprised. His father spent a few days doing nothing but seeing the sights, with him as the tour guide before he took him aside. He made Taemin promise not to freak out - an odd request, but his father had always been a little... different (he figured that was where he got it from and well, he wasn't too off the mark). Whatever Taemin had been expecting though, it wasn't "Taemin, you're a wizard."
At first he laughed and almost handwaved it off but he quickly saw that his father was being serious. His father went on to explain that he was the same, and he was sorry for having hid it from Taemin all this time. His mother joined them to tell him that she had known as well but figured that he would understand better when he was older. His father told him about Shin Mabeob and answered the questions that never seemed to stop coming from Taemin - everything was a blur and a buzz and it turned out to be a bit much to drop on the sixteen year old all at once. His father ended his trip with an offer - he could take Taemin back to Korea with him, where he could attend Shin Mabeob and learn for himself about the unseen world he never knew existed, learn to control the magic he had in him.
Taemin considered it back and forth for two weeks. His answer was a yes, undoubtedly after his mother's encouragement ("You were always a bit more special than other kids. Not just because you're crazy, of course. You know what I mean.").
One of Taemin’s philosophies in life is not to regret any decision he’s made. Once a decision is made, the consequences must be dealt with. This was what he told himself when he arrived in Korea and found himself welcomed by pretty much only his father. His father’s family received him coldly, more coldly than he could have ever expected. It was jarring and yet, he felt a strange relief. He was sure at least here, he wouldn’t be assumed to have gained anything for the name he had. But of course, there was also the sinking feeling that he was little, if anything, to this side of his family, who hardly acknowledged him as one of their own.
His mother always told him that “Happiness is the best revenge.” Not that he held any particular grudge towards his father’s family, but the goal was still the same. He would simply get over this hurdle the same way he did everything else life threw at him - with hard work, blood, sweat, and tears (though he hoped tears wouldn’t be so much). It was along this way Taemin discovered quidditch. Sneering from cousins that “someone like him” wouldn’t be able to play, much less play with them, gave just the right kick for him to learn. His father, noticing his struggle, urged his cousins to allow him to play, much to Taemin’s embarrassment, as he’d wanted to convince them himself.
He appreciated the sentiment nonetheless, and took it upon himself to make sure it wasn’t wasted. He was made to play beater, and though he was beaten more times than he was doing the beating at first, every single time he got back on his broomstick and kept going. He gained begrudging acceptance this way, from some of his cousins at least. From this his drive to become better at quidditch grew, though he came to love it with or without the acceptance it came with.
A year later, he was enrolled in and began attending Shin Mabeob Academy. There was little time spent sorting him - the hat had scarcely touched the top of his head before he was announced “Slytherin!” and off he went, into the nest of serpents. As a student, he did exceptionally well in a handful of subjects, with average up and down grades in most others, with his worst class being Transfiguration.
Once he became confident enough in his skills, he tried out for his house’s quidditch team, going for Beater predictably. He played the position for a year, before being called aside by his captain the next year. Their seeker having graduated, he suggested that Taemin’s build was better suited for the position. After trying out and proving his captain correct, Taemin took up the post. He has held it ever since.
Taemin aspires to be a national leagues quidditch player; it is to this end that he takes his quidditch playing very seriously. Of course, he realises that such a lofty goal leaves much up to chance even if his skills are up to snuff. His plan B (aka. the more realistic goal) is to be a cursebreaker. Adventure tied into study and the hard work he’s so accustomed to - Perfect.
Personality:
- He is social. It isn't hard to approach him as he will rarely turn anybody away and holds himself with an easy swagger. He speaks with little regard to status and talks to most everyone the same way, though he displays some care towards referring to teachers and those who have earned respect in his eyes. He has naturally quick reflexes and follows a react before thinking kind of philosophy (though that is not to say everything he does is thoughtless).
- He is ambitious. Once his eyes are set on a goal, there is nothing that can stand in his way. He will reach it one way or another, out of sheer force of will or stubbornness if he must. He has more than once driven himself into the ground (quite literally a few times) and sometimes it may seem that he has little regard for his own wellbeing in reaching whatever it is he has his sights set on. He detests failure but is resilient - his philosophy is to try to the death, giving up is not an option for him. He puts his 150% to whatever he puts his heart into but his flaw is that it is hard to motivate him when he isn't interested or invested in something.
- He is physical. He invades people's space easily and hardly notices if his attentions are wanted or not. He does it so naturally that he pays little attention to what he does - putting a hand on a someone's shoulder, slinging an arm around a friend's waist.
- He is sarcastic. Sarcasm is part of his daily vocabulary. He doesn't swear excessively but now and again it slips into his speech. His speech is straightforward, easy and he replies to banter as though he has an arsenal of quick words at the ready.
- He is loyal. He is not as honorable as the next guy (he's cheated on some things, has held grudges that he's made good on with his own brand of payback, and told white lies and half truths to his advantage) but he helps his friends however which way he can manage and beyond.
- Much of his drive comes from a desire to be accepted by his father's family - he first learned how to play quidditch so that he might get along with his cousins before it grew into something he wanted to do because he enjoyed it. More than just his blood and sweat have gone into quidditch. He desires respect and a place he can rightfully say he belongs to. When the sorting hat was placed on his head, it had trouble deciding where to put him.
- Dance is as much a part of him as breathing is. He used to participate in competitions more often but now he's limited to holidays. He does street performances for the sheer fun of it. His history with it shows in the ease of his movements, the control he has over his body. He's not shy to touch and doesn't particularly care who sees his body. His one pet peeve is being told to eat more because he's skinny (because he eats a lot already).