“Permission” by Taemin is an uptempo, funky pop song about self-liberation and living life on one’s own terms. The anthem is a homage to his idol, Michael Jackson, and features the empowering message that he does not need anyone’s approval to do what he wants.

Song Credits

  • Artist: TAEMIN
  • Album: PERMISSION
  • Released: May 22, 2026
  • Length: 2:58
  • Label: The Yoo Group
  • Lyricists: Taemin Lee, James Abrahart, Rachel West, Isaac Han, Jeasoo Kim, Dae Sung ho, Chun Jae Young
  • Composers: Taemin Lee, James Abrahart, Rachel West

TAEMIN “PERMISSION” Official Audio

TAEMIN “PERMISSION” Lyrics

Hangul

People don’t get off of me
변해버린 걸 taste it
넘어뜨린 my own knee, 어느새 I’m unfair
아름다워진 green eyes, 미완결의 this game
끄덕이는 저 moonlight, all night, yeah

‘Cause I decide (Yeah, I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
숨은 내 맘 (숨기던 그 맘)
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
운명의 이름 흰 틈 속에 핀 꿈
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
운명의 이름 흰 틈 속에 핀 꿈
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

내 속에 파고든 시선
주홍색 낙인을 지워, mmm
죄다 뚫어내, 거침없이 make a way
I’m not saying you’ll win, 지켜봐 어디까지 가는지

‘Cause I decide (Yeah, I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
숨은 내 맘 (숨기던 그 맘)
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
운명의 이름 흰 틈 속에 핀 꿈
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
운명의 이름 흰 틈 속에 핀 꿈
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (Oh)
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
운명의 이름 흰 틈 속에 핀 꿈
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

Romanized

People don’t get off of me
Byeonhaebeorin geol taste it
Neomeotteurin my own knee, eoneusae I’m unfair
Areumdawojin green eyes, miwangyeorui this game
Kkeudeogineun jeo moonlight, all night, yeah

‘Cause I decide (Cause I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
Sumeun nae mam (sumgideon geu mam)
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Unmyeongui ireum huin teum soge pin kkum
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
Unmyeongui ireum huin teum soge pin kkum
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

Nae soge pagodeun siseon
Juhongsaek nagineul jiwo, mmm
Joeda ttuleonae, geochimeopsi make a way
I’m not saying you’ll win, jikyeobwa eodikkaji ganeunji

‘Cause I decide (I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
Sumeun nae mam (sumgideon geu mam)
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Unmyeongui ireum huin teum soge pin kkum
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Unmyeongui ireum huin teum soge pin kkum
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (Oh)
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
Unmyeongui ireum huin teum soge pin kkum
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

Translation

People won’t get off my back
Taste how I’ve changed
I even brought myself down to my knees, and somehow now I’m unfair
My green eyes have become beautiful
This unfinished game
That moonlight nodding along all night, yeah

’Cause I decide (Yeah, I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
The feelings I used to hide
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
A dream blooming in the white cracks of fate’s name
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
A dream blooming in the white cracks of fate’s name
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

The stares digging into me
I erase the scarlet marks, mmm
Breaking through everything, fearlessly making a way
I’m not saying you’ll win
Just watch how far I go

’Cause I decide (Yeah, I decide)
How I live my life (How I live my life)
The feelings I used to hide
Show me now
Imma show you that other side

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
A dream blooming in the white cracks of fate’s name
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

Don’t need your permission (No)
Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (No)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
A dream blooming in the white cracks of fate’s name
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)

(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no, don’t need, no)
(Don’t need, no)
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

Don’t need your permission
Don’t need your permission (Oh)
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna
A dream blooming in the white cracks of fate’s name
Don’t need your permission
I’m gonna do what I want, when I wanna

TAEMIN “PERMISSION” Meaning

“Permission” by Taemin is an empowering funky pop anthem about freedom, confidence, and living life without needing approval from others. The song delivers a bold message of self-liberation, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and move according to their own desires.

The track’s core theme is independence. Through lyrics like “I’m gonna do what I want when I wanna / Don’t need no permission,” Taemin rejects societal expectations and outside judgment, expressing a fearless determination to live authentically and freely.

“Permission” also reflects Taemin’s personal growth as an artist and individual. He has shared that the song represents shedding his more reserved past self and fully stepping into confidence, freedom, and self-expression without hesitation.

Musically and visually, the track pays tribute to Michael Jackson through its smooth grooves, dynamic choreography, and timeless pop-funk energy. Its symbolic Coachella debut where Taemin emerged from an egg-shaped structure further emphasized the idea of rebirth, liberation, and embracing one’s true identity.