On July 29, 2023, Taeyong, with pink hair and dressed in a black t-shirt and shorts, stood in the middle of a Hongdae alley. The caption read, "자유의지 summer in hongdae." Behind him was a typical Hongdae alley scene with signs for PUNK Bar, TACO BAR, and MIX&MAX.

His pose showed him slightly covering his nose with his hand while looking at the camera — it was just a casual photo taken while walking through Hongdae in summer, not specially styled or staged. The vibrant blue sky, utility pole wires, and alley-goers were captured exactly as they were.

The caption "자유의지" (meaning 'Free Will') perfectly matches this photo. Fans identified the area as Wausan-ro 17-gil based on the background signs, and now, finding the exact alley angle where pink-haired Taeyong stood to take a proof shot has become a must-do for NCTzens on their Hongdae pilgrimage.