SHINee's ONEW discusses solo identity and musical growth on KBS

Appearing on KBS 'The Seasons S9', ONEW shared insights into his first single album and his recent world tour across the US, Europe, South America, and Asia. The singer also detailed his collaboration with ZICO on the track 'Tic Tac Toe' as he seeks to expand his identity beyond his image in SHINee.

SHINee's ONEW shared stories regarding his first single album, which captures his contemplations as a solo artist and his new musical attempts. Appearing on KBS 'The Seasons S9', ONEW spoke candidly about the changes and growth he has experienced as a singer, ranging from a reunion with seniors 16 years ago to his recent world tour.

"Not SHINee's ONEW, but a solo singer"... Contemplations in the dance track 'Illusion'

ONEW provided specific details regarding the songs included in this first single album. All three songs in the album were planned as title tracks, and among them, the dance track 'Illusion', which ONEW worked on alone, is the result of his musical contemplations. "I think I only thought to myself that I should focus on singing because I am someone with a good voice," ONEW stated, adding, "People around me likely saw me as SHINee's ONEW, and as someone who has danced for a long time, I felt the desire to try a dance track that I could do well on my own."

The title 'Illusion' also originated from these contemplations. Explaining that the title came from the thought of whether he had been "deluding himself regarding how to define himself," ONEW expressed his intention to expand his identity as a solo singer rather than settling for his existing image.

Collaboration with ZICO and YUJU, "A harmony of crispness and smoothness"

The album also drew attention by including a duet featuring ZICO and YUJU, who is from GFriend. Introducing 'Tic Tac Toe', a track worked on with ZICO, ONEW expressed the texture of the song through a unique metaphor. "ZICO has a very crispy feeling, and I am a bit like olive oil," he said, adding, "To combine the two feelings, I used only about 25% of my voice and took ZICO's feeling up to 75%, striving to find a balance at the midpoint of 50%."

Regarding the work with ZICO, he added, "Unlike R&B or ballads where I always thought about a set breathing pattern or pitch, I wanted to do a song where I could just play enjoyably." He mentioned the positive influence gained through the process of learning another's way of working, stating that the collaboration was an experience that broadened his musical spectrum.

A reunion after 16 years and the weight of a world tour

During the stage, an episode regarding his first meeting with seniors at KBS 16 years ago was also revealed. ONEW expressed respect for his seniors, recalling the tension he felt while watching their individual talents at the time and noting, "After hearing that I have a good voice, I became aware of my voice from that moment."

Regarding his recent solo world tour, he confessed the sense of weight felt as a solo artist. "I conducted tours in the US, Europe, South America, and Asia, and at first, it was very difficult and burdensome to have to fill all those stages alone," ONEW said. He showed further growth, stating, "At first, I lacked confidence because I thought I couldn't show anything unless it was perfect, but by the end of the tour, I found myself enjoying the stage."

Meanwhile, ONEW is scheduled to meet fans by holding a solo concert at Seoul Olympic Hall from October 30 to November 1.

Source: KBS WORLD TV (YouTube)