"Solo debut, I think it will be a major turning point in my life, so I'm very nervous and excited."
Group KARD member Jeon So-min described her feelings as a "major turning point in life" ahead of the release of her first solo EP.
Jeon So-min will release her first EP UNVEIL at 6 p.m. today (the 2nd) on various music sites. With this, Jeon So-min will debut as a solo artist about nine years after her debut.
UNVEIL is an album that sheds the numerous descriptors that used to precede her name and focuses on the essence of solo artist Jeon So-min. It includes seven tracks in total: the title track Backseat, Love Me Like A Fan, Keep It Cute, Got It Like That, Como Yo A Ti, Closure, and Backseat (Inst.).
In particular, Jeon So-min freely traverses various genres such as R&B, trap and reggaeton to fully showcase her most honest, innate musical world. Jeon So-min participated in the songwriting herself, and KARD member BM also supported the overall song production, showing warm loyalty.
Below is a Q&A with Jeon So-min ahead of her debut as a solo artist.
Q. You are debuting as a solo artist with your first EP UNVEIL nine years after your debut. Please share your thoughts and determination.
A. The word "debut" again feels a bit odd, but I think it will be a major turning point in my life, so I'm very nervous and excited. I'm also very grateful to those who waited for a long time. This album was prepared through months of hard work and much deliberation, so I would be grateful if you listen to and enjoy UNVEIL a lot. As this is just the beginning, I will show even better sides moving forward.
Q. Why did you choose Backseat as the title track? Please introduce it along with the performance points.
A. The main reason I chose Backseat as the title track is because of the confidence and boldness the song carries. The song's theme — "I decide the direction of my life and the path I want to take! I hold the steering wheel!" — felt very attractive. Above all, I thought it was a song that could be well expressed through performance.
For the performance points, I worked to create varied arrangements with six dancers. I wanted to showcase performance more than visual elements, so filling the choreography to give a sense of storyline was a key point. In particular, I wanted to create a feeling of explosive energy from the final hook through the outro, and I'm personally satisfied that that section was well expressed.
Q. You participated in writing the lyrics for the title track Backseat as well as Got It Like That and Closure. What was the most important aspect during the process?
A. I spent the most time contemplating the question, "If I were in this situation, what would I want to say?" I imagined various situations and tried to express emotions concretely. For Backseat, I focused on preserving a relaxed, natural atmosphere rather than using blunt expressions; for Got It Like That, I liked the feel of the original English lyrics, so I worked to match that mood and pronunciation without harming them. Closure is a song for Hidden Card (the fandom name), so I immersed myself in Hidden Card's emotions and followed them while writing the lyrics.
Q. What aspects of solo artist Jeon So-min that couldn't be seen during group activities should fans expect? Also, were there any differences when preparing the album as a group member versus as a solo artist?
A. When I was active in the group, there were many processes made by sharing opinions with members; in preparing for a solo debut, I had to decide for myself "what I want to express" and "how to present it." That meant there were many things to deliberate and the burden felt greater. The responsibility and weight of filling all the processes that four people used to share by myself was heavy, but I worked through it step by step while consulting with company staff. I want to continue to move forward confidently so as not to disappoint fans, and I want to show more varied sides of myself.
Q. As a solo artist, please introduce any musical directions or concepts you would like to challenge in the future.
A. I would like to try fresh music that is fully aimed at summer, and at the same time challenge emotional music that can deeply move listeners' hearts.
Q. Please say a word to the fans who have been waiting for your solo debut.
A. Thank you sincerely for waiting for such a long time. I'm very curious about what people will say about this album, and I will cherish any opinions and work to show a more developed side. I hope you listen to it a lot since it's packed with diverse music, and I hope my music can be some strength at the start and end of fans' days. Thank you always for your support, and I hope you stay healthy in body and mind and have a warm and happy April.
[Photo] RBW, DSP Media Co. provided.
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