It must have felt quite different for you last May when you debuted as a solo artist, rather than a LOONA member.
I wanted to come out with something that people didn’t expect. During LOONA I emphasized girl crush and the cool side of me like I’m someone’s older sister, but now I wanted to show some of the other colors that I have in me. So I was bold and threw out the hip-hop dance genre that I was the best at. For the solo debut song, I tried a different genre and challenged myself a lot.
You’re now about four months into your solo activities. Have you found Yves’ unique color?
I think that’s honesty. My company has lots of skilled producers and artists, so I’ve had honest conversations about music and I’m trying to put a lot of my own stories into it. And I think the fans really like that element as well. I’m grateful that the company seems to be expressing my colors into each genre very well, and that makes me feel good.
Also curious why you challenged yourself in a new genre, even to the point of abandoning hip-hop which you were best at.
I wanted to show something that wasn’t obvious. I wanted to flip the expectation that ‘Of course Yves would come with something handsome.’ I’m the type to enjoy challenges and adventures, not fear them. Fortunately the company and I thought in the same direction. I’m going to keep my music career going for a long time, so I wanted to gradually show diverse sides of myself. So that’s why I thought ‘For my debut track, let’s show something that’s entirely opposite from what the public and fans expect.’
Then is there another new genre that you’d like to attempt?
Tons, but for one, I’ve been going to festivals recently and the refreshing rock-genre songs that are well-suited seem to get good reactions. I want to try a lot of rock as festival-geared music and I want to try rap too. CEO-nim asked me, ‘Can you rap?’ And I wasn’t confident so I said ‘I can’t yet,’ but I want to practice hard and show off some cool rapping too.
The conflict with your former agency must have been difficult. Please tell us about the motivation that helped you decide on a solo debut.
We didn’t stop being LOONA out of our own volition, but it was a sudden stop in the circumstances, right. It felt like such a shame about the dreams I hadn’t achieved. And I felt most guilty to the fans who waited and anticipated. With all the fans waiting, I felt that I had to come back no matter what and repay them no matter how long it took, so I worked hard to find a company and really honed myself for debut preparations.
Guessing that you get along well with your current agency, then.
To be honest, the fans were confused. They were quite worried because I picked such an unexpected genre of a company. And I did sign the contract, but it wasn’t without worry for me, either. But just like anything, in a new environment you have to compromise with each other, so we had a lot of conversations. Musically, systematically, we are communicating with mutual care.
Do you miss the LOONA days of working together with all 12 members?
I’d be lying if I said that I don’t miss it. The fans want to see the full group of LOONA, too. We also promised each other, ‘Someday let’s make sure to show them the full group!’ Right now you might feel unsatisfied, but just like how the LOONA system used to work in the early days, I think what we’re doing right now is making the group shine from where each of us are, as units and solos. So that’s why I’m working even harder, to help let the group be known a little more.
Do you have plans for this Chuseok?
Every holiday, I go back to my family home in Busan and spend ordinary but precious days with family. Around this time of year, I feel energized from the thought of going home. I’m planning to go back again this year, making food together and cleaning the house and having a fun time.
Any food that you think of or enjoy on Chuseok?
I like jeon and tempura. One thing that shocked me when I was living in the dorm during LOONA days was that apparently nobody from the other regions had tried fried filefish. I was the only member from Busan, so it was quite a shock. Also my family makes great marinated crab, so I want to have that marinated crab and freshly fried filefish right next to where it’s made.
A wish you’d like to make to the Chuseok full moon?
My first wish is for my family and people around me to all be happy and healthy. And a special wish to add this year is, since I’ve debuted solo, even though things won’t always be happy, I’ll be praying for the strength to get back up even when something tough happens.
What is ‘happiness’ to Yves?
Peacefulness and lack of trouble. I’m a bit sensitive, so even a small change or trouble causes my emotions to fluctuate a lot. Whenever that happens, I realize, ‘Lack of trouble is happiness,’ ‘A humble routine is happiness.’
What kind of music would you like to do in the future as a singer?
Just like my diary, I want to authentically express the despair and happiness and things that I feel in diverse genres, so that people can pick out the music that fits their emotion of the day and I can give them comfort that way.
Tell us about your plans for what little of 2024 that remains.
It’s more of my wishlist than my plans. I put out my pre-release single last month, and I want to prepare diligently for my new album and get through my promotions well without trouble, and if possible, I want to meet my international fans towards the end of this year. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the fans abroad. I want to show them, ‘I’m doing well in my solo activities.’
Do you have an achievement or goal that you’re aiming to accomplish after the new album’s release?
I look up a lot of Internet comments and reactions. Even when there’s something negative from time to time, I think of that as attention. Unless it’s just blind criticism, I take it as feedback. If something feels disagreeable to you, conversely I think that means it’s also something new and fresh, so I’d like to continue trying fresh challenges and adventures without being afraid of feedback like that.
Lastly, a word for your fans.
The fans waited for a long time, and I’m so happy to be increasingly doing more activities with you starting with the solo debut. And I’m also very grateful that you didn’t leave me in the meantime. I’ll show you more growth and cool sides of me in the future, so I hope you won’t get distracted elsewhere and stay by my side for a long time to come. I love you.
(Source)
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