KARD member Jeon Ji-woo takes her first step as a solo artist.
Jeon Ji-woo will release her first EP (EX)IST today (the 11th) at 6 p.m. on various music platforms. (EX)IST is an album that condenses the time and experiences Jeon Ji-woo accumulated from the past to the present.
The title track is Home Sweet Home, a song that adds Jeon Ji-woo's captivating vocal color over a rhythmical progression that crosses the boundaries of R&B and alternative pop.
Within an expanded spectrum, Jeon Ji-woo opens a new chapter as a solo artist; below is a Q&A with Jeon Ji-woo ahead of the release of her first EP (EX)IST.
Q. You are releasing your first EP (EX)IST as a solo artist. How do you feel about your solo debut?
A. It's a moment I've waited a long time for, so I'm very excited, but it still doesn't feel real. I thought a lot about how to present the name "solo artist Jeon Ji-woo" through this EP, and that process itself was very meaningful to me. At the same time, it feels like I'm at a new starting line. It's more unfamiliar than familiar, but that allowed me to capture a more honest version of myself in the music. Through (EX)IST, I hope listeners can hear Jeon Ji-woo a little closer.
Q. What aspect of Jeon Ji-woo do you want to show through (EX)IST, and what reaction do you hope to get from this EP?
A. I want to hear reactions like, "Ah, right. Jeon Ji-woo was this kind of person," and "I didn't know she could pull off this kind of music and vibe." There are still so many sides I haven't shown. As it's a position that fully stands as a solo artist, I hope it becomes an opportunity to remind people of my presence once again.
Q. Please introduce the listening points for the title track Home Sweet Home.
A. Personally, I hope people listen to the song about three times. First, enjoy the song's atmosphere comfortably; second, focus more on the lyrics and follow the story; and finally, feel the breathing, texture, and subtle emotional threads in the song and fully enjoy the music. When you listen to the song that way, I'm confident the emotional layers of the song will be different.
Q. You personally participated in writing the lyrics for the track Lily. What aspects did you focus on when working on the song's message?
A. Rather than simply writing lyrics, I focused first on grasping the overall message and theme that runs through the song. Sometimes when I feel infinitesimally small, I think, "Am I someone who is nothing?" or "Will anyone remember me?" Despite such anxiety and loneliness, I wanted to include an honest cry asking, "Please love the me who is nothing." It is the comforting phrase I want to hear and a song I began working on to offer comfort to fans as well. If Lily can give someone even a moment of comfort, that would be enough meaning.
Q. On the track Dang Dong (feat. BM of KARD), member BM contributed not only vocals but also to the song's production. As a junior to him as a solo artist, how was the collaboration process?
A. He helped a lot throughout the album process. I relied on him psychologically as well. Because we've worked together for a long time, there were points we understood without needing explanation, so the working process felt very natural. Feeling comfortable allowed me to let go of burdens and express the various colors and capabilities inside me more honestly. Dang Dong (feat. BM of KARD) captures our trust and synergy well, so it is personally very meaningful.
Q. Are there any genres or concepts you want to challenge as a solo artist in the future?
A. (EX)IST is a collection of music that extends what I've shown so far, what you might call a familiar taste. Because of that, starting with this EP I have a stronger desire to show more diverse sides in the future. There are many genres and concepts I want to try. In particular, I'm very interested in rock or band sounds that can express different energy and emotions from what I've done so far, so I definitely want to show that properly someday. I believe there are still many unrealized possibilities for Jeon Ji-woo as a solo artist, so please look forward to my future moves.
Q. Please say a word to the fans who have been waiting for Jeon Ji-woo's solo EP.
A. This solo EP, released nine years after debut, is a very special album for me. It's a moment I've longed for, and it is all thanks to the fans who waited with me through that time. Each song carries much of my 고민 and sincerity, so I hope you listen slowly and feel the traces of that 고민. If possible, I hope you listen not just once but twice or three times. I sincerely thank you for always believing in and waiting for me.
[Photo] RBW, provided by DSP Media Co.
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