YG Entertainment Vocal Trainer Picks The Best Idol Vocalists In The Industry

Do you agree with her picks?

Former vocal trainer Sol Lee (also known by her singer stage name, Lee Dong Soo), has worked with several major agencies over the years, including YG Entertainment. In a new YouTube video with veteran former K-Pop trainee and student of hers, Gina Maeng, Lee gave her expert opinion on the best vocalists in the idol industry.

Lee Dong Soo | @idongsooo/Instagram

1. Taemin (SHINee)

As soon as Gina asked Lee Dong Soo to name her favorite vocalists in a video for Gina Everywhere, she dropped a major hint as to the vocal trainer’s male pick: “She’s a huge SHINee fan!”

| SM Entertainment

In my opinion, Taemin is the best male idol vocalist out there.

— Lee Dong Soo

Lee says the first thing she finds fascinating about Taemin is that he’s become more of an “artist” now—”He totally broke out of the idol boundary.” She went on to explain that at first, Taemin was solely a dancer in SHINee and had hardly any singing parts. But now, he’s her top pick for K-Pop vocals.

| SM Entertainment

Plus, Lee noted how much Taemin has improved himself over the years, particularly from his solo debut with “Danger” to his latest comeback with “Advice” seven years later. “He was really good even back then,” said the vocal trainer, “but it’s incredible how he didn’t need to sing given how he’s so good looking.” Between his dancing skills and his visuals, Lee Dong Soo says Taemin could’ve gotten away without singing well, but he chose to work on his skills nonetheless.

| SM Entertainment

He still sings so well, and he even managed to get better. It seems he’s really thinking about how to develop his voice tone.

— Lee Dong Soo

2. Yuju (GFRIEND)

As for Lee Dong Soo’s favorite female vocalist, the former YG Entertainment vocal trainer’s pick was GFRIEND’s Yuju.

| Source Music

Lee explained that the way Yuju handles her fade-outs and her vocal tone overall make her the best female vocalist in the idol industry. And, on top of acing GFRIEND’s songs, Lee says Yuju is “even good at singing songs that aren’t GFRIEND songs.”

| Source Music

Actually, in my opinion, she’s better suited to singing songs that aren’t GFRIEND-type songs.

— Lee Dong Soo

Lee Dong Soo went on to note that GFRIEND unfortunately did leave Source Music earlier this year. However, in spite of that, the former YG Entertainment vocal trainer thinks Yuju has “a lot to show as a vocalist in the future.”

| Source Music
Source: Gina Everywhere