Group TWICE member Chaeyoung releases her first full-length album LIL FANTASY vol.1 and the title track SHOOT (Firecracker) today (12th), debuting as a solo artist.
Chaeyoung, TWICE's fourth solo act following Nayeon, Jihyo and Tzuyu, presents an album that depicts "Chaeyoung herself" and demonstrates her capabilities as an artist. The title track SHOOT (Firecracker), which Chaeyoung participated in writing, composing and arranging, is a song that proclaims her bold ambitions as an artist. The long-awaited first solo album sings of confidence in the career she will build going forward. Its kitschy melody lines and a performance that blends jazz and disco vibes are expected to capture attention.
Chaeyoung decorated the credits of 10 tracks and expressed facets of herself through music, including the title track SHOOT (Firecracker), AVOCADO (feat. Gliiico), BAND-AID, GIRL, RIBBONS (feat. SUMIN, Jibin of Y2K92), DOWNPOUR (feat. Gliiico), BF, Shadow Play, My Guitar, and the CD-only track Lonely doll waltz.
As a member of TWICE who has toured the world and warmed fans' hearts with a distinctive character and charm, the news of Chaeyoung's solo debut drew intense interest from fans around the world, and Chaeyoung responds with a work that meets expectations.
Q. You are TWICE's fourth solo act following Nayeon, Jihyo and Tzuyu. This year, TWICE celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new world tour, participation in the Netflix K-pop Demon Hunters OST album, and a performance at Lollapalooza Chicago, among many other activities. With such positive momentum, your solo debut must feel especially meaningful. How do you feel?
It feels like taking out and showing a treasure box I've been collecting one by one. In the album title LIL FANTASY vol.1, LIL FANTASY is the name of a small world inside me. This album is filled with the tastes, thoughts and attitudes I have built up so far, so I think I can show a more sincere inner side of myself. Adding vol.1 after LIL FANTASY expresses the ambition that this story is not over here but will continue in some direction. The members liked that the music and concepts reflected my style and were as proud as I am, which was a great strength.
As a solo artist rather than part of a team, I think it's different in that I can show everything that makes up Chaeyoung as a person. This is a work I have prepared slowly over a long time, and I hope many people will listen to it with lots of love.
Most of the album's creative images and visuals started from my drawings. I hope people pay attention to the details included throughout. Also, I made a series of sneak peek videos by filming my feelings about each of the 10 tracks with a self-cam because I worked on each song with affection, so I hope listeners enjoy my music.
Q. You participated in creating every track, so they must all be precious, but is there a reason why SHOOT (Firecracker) was chosen as the title track?
I actually had a lot of 고민. I kept thinking it might be good if the title track were a song you can dance to. Also, SHOOT (Firecracker) carries a message along with my ambitions—"let's set off fireworks together and enjoy the party; let's celebrate"—and it also embraces the meaning of celebrating the LIL FANTASY vol.1 album together, so I chose it as the title track.
Q. In the teaser video announcing Chaeyoung's solo debut, Japanese pop band Gliiico appeared and raised expectations. Their relaxed and natural presence stood out. How was working with Gliiico, and what is Chaeyoung's working style as a solo artist?
I felt like I worked with the Gliiico friends in a relaxed way, chatting freely while hanging out. Thanks to that, the whole process felt very natural and in a way like family. The working environment needs to be comfortable for things to go well, so many of the songs on this album were created with close friends, and I'm very satisfied. (laughs)
It briefly appears in the music video teaser, but there are jazz elements and I tried to include a lot of expansive movements. There are parts with an 80s–90s disco feel, so I would appreciate it if you pay attention to those elements.
I want to express my thanks to the many ONCE (ONCE: fandom name) who waited for my album. I hope my precious first solo full-length album LIL FANTASY vol.1 can serve many uses for you, and I hope you build your own dreamlike fantasy worlds.
[Photo] Provided by JYP Entertainment.
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