You can find all of our “Bias Duality” articles in one place by clicking here! This week’s “Bias Duality” article is dedicated to an extraordinary idol who evokes love and respect both as an artist and an individual, P1Harmony’s Theo. With 10,276 votes, making for 83.9% of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on the poll in our previous “Bias Duality” article, Theo was chosen by a vast majority of fans to appear on this series!
To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now onto our bias!
Choi TaeYang & Theo: When Worlds Collide
Born on July 1, 2001, Choi TaeYang was destined to reign at the top. While his real name, TaeYang, reflects his impact on the world as the sun that illuminates and sustains life with its light, his stage name, Theo, echoes our reception of the same as a true gift. (P.S - The fact that he is a plant Dad raising sunflowers just makes perfect poetic sense in this regard). If TaeYang is his identity, Theo is his purpose. What makes this nomenclature even more special is the fact that TaeYang and Theo are synonymous with beauty, grace, talent, and joy.
Like the ideal balance of yin and yang, there’s a little bit of TaeYang in Theo and, likewise, a little bit of Theo in TaeYang. However, Theo takes pride in keeping his two selves distinct yet connected at the same time. This is where we find a unique binary between the art and the artist that is truly impressive. Theo has an enlightened understanding of his being that allows him to acknowledge the importance of not losing oneself in either, which is why he is able to distance his idol self from his ideal self while retaining the essence of both.
When he appeared barefaced on a V-Live for the first time, Theo shared that he would like to show the real, honest and vulnerable side of himself more to P1ECE because TaeYang cannot always be Theo, but he deserves to be seen either way. Not only does this normalize a healthy idol-fan relationship where expectations of tireless perfection are subverted, but it also posits an arena for more idols to feel comfortable in their own skin. Needless to say, Theo was showered with love and affection by P1ECE, who applauded his intentions and supported him endlessly. Theo’s eyes might be intense and striking, but TaeYang’s eyes have compassion and diligence, and both versions are equally powerful. The fact that P1ECE have always been rather vocal about this duality, so much so that Theo himself knows about the effect he has on his fans, further illustrates how precious of a relationship the two share.
Theo With P1Harmony: Sunshine & Sass
With how wholesome, wonderful, and unique Theo’s personality is, P1Harmony and Theo are a match made in heaven. As a part of P1Harmony, Theo seems to have found his chosen family where he can comfortably and unapologetically be himself and be embraced with adoration. Even though he is the oldest member of the group, he doesn’t hesitate to express his childish wonder, which often earns him the title of the “fake maknae”.
Theo is always curious about the world and finds happiness in the little things. He has a hundred different interests - from sports to gardening, fishing, and more, but what is incredible is that he’s an expert at all of them. He reminds us of the beauty of life and its unlimited potential, inspiring millions of P1ECE around the world to appreciate every moment.
Spending time with Theo, whether that be through his V-Live broadcasts or otherwise, is the definition of “good vibes”. With how calming and optimistic his energy is, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him the human version of a chill/lo-fi beats playlist. Theo has his own notions of pleasure and enjoyment, and he doesn’t hesitate to seek out the same, even if that means going off the trodden path. Without a doubt, Theo is a true romanticist. The joie de vie he embodies makes the world revolve around him, just like it orbits the sun. Perhaps, he views the world in a lot more vivid colour than us because even his laughter is like music to the ears.
As the “aegyoist” of P1Harmony, Theo’s natural charms can melt your heart, but when he gets savage, you can run, but you certainly cannot hide. There are times when he unleashes his chaotic neutral side, letting the intrusive thoughts win but more often than not, that just involves Theo saying what’s on his mind and doing what his heart tells him to before his mind can say no. His iconic sense of humour goes from witty to goofy in no time, but either way, it makes him all the more loveable. However, no matter how quirky he gets, he cannot help but blush in front of P1ECE. This emotional duality is not just endearing, but it also makes him deeply relatable.
When it comes to P1ECE, it is almost as if he’s a lover who just can’t get enough of his significant other. From stealing secret glances to tiny waves in the middle of a conversation, natural bursts of aegyo to heart-fluttering gestures, Choi TaeYang just knows the way to our hearts, and we’re not complaining! What makes Theo the happiest is performing on stage for P1ECE, and the glow he radiates then is indeed quite telling.
Warmth That Soothes Our Aching Soul: Theo’s Vocal Duality
When Theo stepped into the entertainment industry, perhaps one of his most surprising and impressive qualities that caught the public eye was the sheer quality and depth of his voice. No one expected him to rock out a baritone that rich and still be able to belt the highest of notes with ease. What makes his voice even more memorable is the husky warmth that speaks directly to the soul.
As the main vocalist of P1Harmony, a group that boasts of a diverse discography, it is customary for Theo to imbue his voice with myriad colours. As herculean of a task as this is, he sure makes it look effortless because he treats every single genre like his forte. Now, that’s a master of his craft if we’ve ever seen one. Theo’s vocal control is so unbelievably precise that he can go from a rock ballad to a bubblegum pop song in no time, and this vocal duality is worth high praise.
Here are 3 songs that best exemplify this duality!
‘If You Call Me’
Theo holds down the core of ‘If You Call Me’ with his gentle, dreamy vocals that nonetheless portray a sense of urgency and determination. He transitions from a lower register to a falsetto riff, which is enough to bring chills down our spines. Theo puts the ‘Harmony’ in ‘P1Harmony’ with his exceptional live ad-libs, and we cannot help but be enchanted. He uses a similar technique in ‘Gotta Get Back’, where his breathy vocals are so whimsical and tender that you can just lose yourself in its magic.
‘Maniac’ (Conan Gray Cover)
P1Harmony’s penchant for reinventing the song they’re covering shines in all its glory with their cover of ‘Maniac’, originally by Conan Gray. Theo uses a much higher pitch for this song, but the conviction and strength in his voice remain unwavering. Even with a song that could easily render one breathless, Theo shows little to no strain in his voice. Instead, it is smooth as honey and as sweet as it too!
‘Reset’
Theo proves himself as the King of ad-libs once again in ‘Reset’. From perfecting the most stable vocal runs to belting the ultimate high note that brings it all together, Theo kicks it out of the park with his range in this song. The performance of ‘Reset’ demands high-energy choreography, and yet, Theo’s vocals remain entirely unaffected by mere human concepts like tiredness. After all, the Sun never dims its shine.
Showing Us How It’s Done: Theo’s Stage Duality
When it comes to his stage presence, Theo must have been blessed by the nine muses to be able to perform with such standout elegance. The Theo we know off the stage becomes completely unrecognizable on it. It is almost as if he is in a trance of artistic inspiration that allows for nothing but the best to come through. This quality rings true both for some of the most hardcore performances and also, the soft serenades. In one moment, Theo is driven by ambition, power, and confidence, and in the next, he is just a flustered boy in love, unable to make a confession. As a matter of fact, there doesn’t even need to be a change of songs for us to witness this greatness. Theo knows how to complement the varied nuances of a song with the most subtle facial expressions, and it is this attention to detail that makes a difference.
Let’s take a look at 2 of Theo’s most brilliant fancams to further illustrate this duality!
‘Shine’
The anthem of an entire generation of lovesick young adults, ‘Shine’ by PENTAGON is a classic. When P1Harmony covered it, they had a whole new generation reeling over its cuteness. Pink-haired Theo is sweeter than cotton candy, giving free rein to all the aegyo that has been waiting to come out to play. He doesn’t even have to try to be lovely, it comes naturally to him! 210721 Theo will most certainly be written in P1Harmony history with golden letters.
‘Scared’
On the diametrically opposed other end of the concept spectrum, we have ‘Scared’ and 210425 Theo ready to wreck our rationality. He still has pink hair, but it isn’t giving us baby angel energy anymore. Instead, he is intimidatingly charismatic and devilishly handsome. He looks like the type of K-Drama bad-boy protagonist anyone would abandon their better judgment for. As natural as it feels for an idol to present such duality, it takes years and years of hard work and perseverance to get to this point of excellence. Most importantly, it speaks volumes of Theo’s innate talent for performance, and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next.
Bonus!
P1Harmony’s “Billie Eilish Medley Choreography” is a thing of wonder. This is P1Harmony like we’ve never seen before. Each member plays a distinct role, telling a story that is conveyed with clarity despite the muddled ambiance. Theo, in particular, is insanely intricate, alternating between a puppet and a master of puppets. If that doesn’t scream duality, we don’t know what does!
Theo’s Aesthetic Duality: Boyfriend Material Anyone?
Having established the fact that Theo is the epitome of expressive duality, we cannot simply gloss over his visual versatility. Theo has single-handedly aced as many aesthetics as you can name: soft boy, e-boy, cottage core, angel core, dark academia, fairy core, and the list goes on. Being fully aware of his duality, he finds quite the enjoyment in taking selfies that show his contrasting charms. Either way, it is undeniable that we’re obsessed! A slight change of angles and a pose could take Theo from an indifferent college senior to the junior who wants nothing but to stick with you. In one, he’s begging for you to come play, and in the other, the tables have suddenly turned. The switch-up might be too quick to keep up with, but we have to say, it sure is addictive.
As the leading representative of the 4th generation of K-Pop, P1Harmony has an incredibly luminous future ahead. As Theo steadily establishes his own unique musicality, we cannot begin to imagine the various creative avenues that he will explore and create as he moves forward, both as a member of the group and an individual. After all, not even the sky can be the limit when you’re the Sun incarnate. What is your favourite part about Theo’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more content about P1Harmony on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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