From a 16-year-old Teen Top member to a mature thirty-year-old, Niel has always been seen as the epitome of youthful charm in the idol world. Now, he's back with his solo album 'SHE', fully embodying his unique style, after founding his own company. A newfound solidity is palpable in Niel's presence.
"The biggest change is that I have to make all the decisions myself. The responsibility is all mine now. It's all on me, from the decisions to the responsibilities. I've been learning a lot about financial management and reflecting on myself," Niel shared.
Niel had been waiting for a final military exemption after being on standby for enlistment as a social service worker, a period of uncertainty that lasted three years. After resolving his military service issues last July, Niel began preparing his solo album 'SHE' at the start of this year.
His collaboration with the hitmaker producer DOKO was a pivotal step for this solo album. "I ran into DOKO by chance, and thankfully, he had prepared a portfolio for me. He analyzed what kind of music I should do and what my fans liked, and we built a strong trust and decided to work together," Niel explained.
'SHE' is a collection of Niel's essence, featuring the title track 'She', along with 'Sape', 'The Meaning Within Love', 'If you're the ocean', and 'What's the Excuse for Love?' among its six tracks.
"I've included all the music I wanted to do. I love the niche, so I was in love with the music from the first listen and never felt the need to change it. I was concerned about the length of the songs, but I had so much I wanted to show. The solo dance is key, expressing freedom through unstructured movement rather than choreography," Niel remarked.
In a word, Niel describes the concept of this album as 'sexy'. For him, this music embodies the ultimate freedom and beauty he wishes his fans to feel. Niel hopes his fans naturally perceive the sexiness as he expresses everything on stage, his beloved platform.
Above all, Niel seeks happiness through this album. Returning to the stage after overcoming tough times, he emphasized, "Performing music on stage is when I'm happiest."
As this is the first album Niel is releasing on his own, without external investment, he admits to facing practical concerns. However, he has prepared a grand gift for his fans: planning a concert to perform live in front of them, as an alternative to music shows. "Please come if you have the time," Niel added, not forgetting to promote the event.
With the release of his new album, Niel is also preparing for two musicals, keeping him incredibly busy. Moreover, he's working hard to show various sides of Teen Top once Changjo is discharged from the military in May. "I hope I appear as a happy artist. If someone finds happiness through me, what could be more joyful than that?" Niel said with a smile.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)