Seulgi of Red Velvet on Her Solo Album ’28 Reasons’ – Rolling Stone

Seulgi has spent the final eight years as a member of SM Leisure’s five-piece lady group Crimson Velvet, recognized for his or her enjoyable and upbeat songs which can be typically revolutionary and genre-bending. She’s a standout star, with a novel and soothing voice, and she or he’s been featured on tracks by a variety of different artists, together with changing into a part of Crimson Velvet’s first sub-unit, Irene & Seulgi, and the SM Leisure supergroup Bought the Beat (alongside bandmate Wendy). Seulgi is usually thought to be an all-rounder artist due to her expertise, creativity, and artistry in a number of realms — and now, she’s able to tackle the highlight along with her first solo album, 28 Causes.

She introduced 28 Causes with an album trailer that looks like a Hollywood movie at first look; the songs on the album tackle some severe themes of fine and evil, influenced by movies like Joker. “I labored onerous to immerse myself, greater than I’ve earlier than. I feel it’s deep and profound,” Seulgi says with amusing.

Seulgi spoke in depth in regards to the creation technique of her first solo album (which features a music she wrote herself for the primary time) and what it means to her.

We’ve seen completely different sides of you as a part of Crimson Velvet, as a part of sub-unit Irene and Seulgi, and as a featured artist on songs all through the years — however it is a true solo venture. What was the largest distinction you felt whereas working by yourself?

The most important distinction was having to sing an entire music alone. All the focus is on me. It felt actually awkward at first — I felt uneasy and did quite a lot of re-recording. Even when filming, I stored considering to myself, “Is that this proper?” However I used to be capable of overcome that feeling as a result of everybody round me labored onerous with me.

One other distinction is that when the 5 of us are collectively in a ready room, it’s at all times loud and enjoyable, so after I’m alone, it feels lonely. I additionally really feel a stronger sense of accountability. I’ve been taking nutritional vitamins to verify I’m in an excellent situation every day [laughs.] I’ve been focusing loads on my situation.

Was there a particular second that made you determine to go solo at this second in time?

I feel it’s a standard dream to need to have your individual album. As for timing, I felt like this was the proper second. With expertise, you achieve the flexibility to be extra relaxed, and a greater album will be produced, so I’m actually grateful that I used to be capable of work on 28 Causes at this second in time.

For a very long time, I’ve been considering of after I’d put out a solo album, and been considering of various dance genres… You by no means know what sort of music you’ll find yourself engaged on. Up thus far, I’ve been making an attempt out completely different music types and dance methods due to that.

There wasn’t a particular second per se, however a dream I’ve held near coronary heart has now grow to be a actuality.

You’ve talked about in your latest Artwork Work Drawing video that with this album, you had been capable of actually do what you needed to do with extra autonomy. What particularly had been you capable of obtain?

First off, I acquired to take part loads. I feel that must be what I appreciated most. When engaged on Crimson Velvet, there are particular ideas that match the group, and it’s more durable to cater to particular person opinions. With this album, because it’s my very own album, I can do what I’m involved in and what I’m good at, and my opinions had been actually taken under consideration. I participated in each assembly and was concerned in selecting the route for the album, from the art work to lyrics, for the choreography and music choice too, I used to be requested for my opinion alongside the way in which.

In 28 Causes, there’s a transparent theme of fine and evil. How did you land on this theme?

My followers have stated that I’ve an enormous distinction on and off stage. I feel by way of that, we naturally got here to the theme of fine and evil. I’ve different photographs within me that I need to present, and I feel as plain Kang Seulgi, I’ve proven quite a lot of my good aspect, so by way of music, I can present extra of a darker aspect. And I believed I might present these sides in a enjoyable approach.

You’re credited as a lyricist for the primary time, having written the lyrics for “Lifeless Man Runnin’.” How did you strategy the writing course of?

I began by paying quite a lot of consideration to the vibes of the music. The primary feeling I had listening to it, the picture in my head. It was a music that makes you are feeling like a villain will seem. How will the villain seem? I made up that narrative and considered somebody who would need to destroy the world. These are ideas we don’t usually have, proper? I acquired quite a lot of assist from movies — Joker, particularly. He was damage and abused earlier than he become a villain. If you hear the music, I feel these feelings come to the floor.

I heard it may be fairly robust to get approval on lyrics or manufacturing general at SM, however your lyrics made it by way of a blind take a look at. How did that really feel?

I used to be so shocked. I didn’t suppose it was going to occur. There are such a lot of proficient individuals, and my vocabulary is extra restricted… I felt like there was a restrict [laughs]. I believed to myself, “This isn’t simple.”

At first, I lacked confidence, however individuals round me inspired me to maintain making an attempt to the top and stated it was good on the first check-in. “I wrote this a lot. What do you suppose?” “It’s actually good, maintain writing!” From suggestions like that, I acquired the power to finish the music and turned it in.

My lyrics ended up getting chosen with the suggestions that there was a transparent picture to the music. It made me suppose to myself, “Perhaps I can do that once more sooner or later?” [Laughs.] The whole course of was extra enjoyable than I had thought. Attempting to consider lyrics… Taking part like that’s so significant. With this begin, I’m wondering if I can take part extra sooner or later too.

Was there any suggestions or recommendation that caught with you whereas making ready?

I had some difficulties when recording. It was my first time making an attempt to sing six songs in full. When recording for Crimson Velvet, our 5 voices come out one after the other and will be extra attention-grabbing to take heed to, and every voice appears particular. Singing alone, sure components simply felt awkward to me. I confided in our producer Yoo Younger-Jin, and his recommendation was to modify up my singing methods all through recording. He advised me, “It’s attainable for a music recorded by one particular person to really feel boring, so it’s a must to problem your self in quite a lot of methods. Strive yelling, strive making bizarre noises.” I feel from a vocal perspective, Yoo Younger-Jin alleviated quite a lot of my issues. I are inclined to sing softly, however these songs will not be these kinds of songs, so his recommendation actually helped me.

From vocals to dancing, artwork and vogue, you’ve a robust sense of fashion and charisma. The place do you get your each day inspiration from?

Every day… I get quite a lot of inspiration from movies. Photographs, too. From these kinds of works. I consider issues that may very well be used for our albums.

Do you are inclined to bookmark and save these concepts?

Sure, I feel it’s enjoyable to search out these items. Even for my members, I’ll save issues that I feel would look good on particular members. I’ll save completely different hairstyles or make-up seems that I need to strive. Whereas saving them, I consider what we are able to add to them, too.

Have your members heard your album but? Which songs did they like?

Everybody had a unique response. There’s a music referred to as “Dangerous Boy Unhappy Lady” that Be’O options in. I feel lots of people will like that music.

Oh! I actually appreciated that one.

You’ve heard it? I feel it’s probably the most pretty music on the album.

You’re proper.

[Laughs.] I feel due to that, it appears like a breath of recent air, and it catches your consideration fairly shortly, so my members appreciated that one too. Wendy reacted rather well to “Lifeless Man Runnin’” too — she actually appreciated that music. General, they stated that the songs matched me nicely, which gave me extra confidence to tackle this spherical of solo promotions.

What would you like followers to give attention to and see about this period of Seulgi?

I need followers to suppose, “What’s she making an attempt to painting and ship?” … The whole idea is… since I’m portraying good and evil… I really feel prefer it’s changing into philosophical. I hope it’s entertaining to observe.

From seeing the preliminary reactions from followers, it looks like they’re already considering that approach.

Sure, you’re proper. Like “Why is she making that expression?” [Laughs.] Questions like that. That’s what I supposed!