On May 3, NCT's Taeyong went on VLIVE, following the release of his SoundCloud track "Monroe" in collaboration with EXO's Baekhyun.

After having had a long talk with his fans, the leader opened up for the first time about his painful experience in school. While visibly shaking and looking down, he explained:

“When I was a student, I went through a really hard time.

When I was in 9th grade... My homeroom teacher and my parents, because I was being bullied, they sent me to stay with my grandparents for a month (it was so severe he had to quit school for a month).

Back then... I was looking at my phone and was extremely scared because... (the bullies were sending him scary messages and threatening him)."

That's the reason why Taeyong's schoolmates stood up for him in the past, explaining that he was a nice kid who" helped the weak and was bullied by the so called good-looking kids," or that "he was bullied by the strong kids and becomes silent... He never made a fuss. He likes drawing and anime."

They also said, "he was a victim and took absence," and explained, "he barely talks at school that's why he doesn't have a lot of friends. He is polite and nice to the teachers". 

Also, that's probably how this pre-debut gif where he is awkwardly standing alone during graduation came to life:

... Until his close friend NCT's Johnny made him smile again:

In the past, when Taeyong got his first tattoo UNDERSTAND, he had a strong desire to be someone who tries to understand people, and in return to be understood too. The leader surely attained his goal as choreographers, make-up artists, other idols, NCT members, and even songwriters are often praising him, his skills, and his character. 

Taeyong ended his story on a positive note by showing gratitude for his grandparents, who helped him through difficult times :

"My grandparents told me to do whatever I wanted, just let me be and were a great strength to me," he said his grandma's place became a safe haven for him. 

The artist said he recently visited his grandma, he gave her a kiss, and he gave her allowance money in an envelope too. He said happily, "grandma~~ the thick one's from me hehe."