I remember there was some article dated 2014-15 where some sh@wol who was also an autistic person himself said that T@e acts like an someone with Asperger's syndrome but sh@wols reported it and kicked that person out of the fandom for trying to diagnose him since having Autism is still seen as a negative thing even in the "Woke west. But I honestly think he could be he had issues in kindergarten and he has a pretty strong fidgeting habit something common among Autistic people he has problems with handling and expressing his emotions as well, often in sh1nee's concerts when other members were crying or being emotional he was usually smiling or trying to play around which would not be considered appropriate reaction in those situations. He was quite and very shy at the time of debut and him getting obsessed or fixed on things whether it be kkoong, certain foods or his career is like you said a sign of autism as well. And autistic people are often gifted in arts. I think if he is autistic he might not even know it himself since many children go undiagnosed in Korea. But he certainly does not have an intellectual disability or low IQ. He is quite brainy actually I think he could have higher than above or at least average IQ he won city level math olympiad in elementary school and is pretty quick at solving math problems at variety shows. He won on Problematic men and Idol troops in the episodes he appeared and is into science and was reading books on quantum mechanics lately but well he is also into Anime and Manga so the guy's Interests are all over the place.
Here's the interview where he talked about being interested in quantum mechanics and relativity theory. He talked about liking Philosophical concepts in some other interview I can't find it right now.
Even the book he was reading "Regarding the pain of others" by Susan Sontag is a very serious book and not a book an airheaded person would enjoy reading.
I think Sh@wols took the 'Baby' image a little too far. All sh1nee members are still shoehorned into images that were imposed on them at the time of debut. 0new is still the sunshine, the chicken lover, m1nho still the flaming charisma who enjoys sports, and k3y sh1nee's mom and the Diva of the group. All of them should be treated as humans not 2d fictional characters with cardboard cutout personalities
edit: I watched some videos about common symptoms of Asperger's and as a Sh@wol and someone who once ult him he shows 80-90% of all the symptoms this person described in the video I strongly believe now that he has an undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome.
In another video of this same person he also mentions people with Asperger's having short term memory loss and depression being common symptoms among people who have Asperger's and T@e has both these issues
disgusting
