by martina rexrode
photo courtesy of junghoon
Within the world of K-pop, it’s common for idols to release solo music while still being active in their respective groups. This often allows for fans to get a glimpse into the more personal lives of individual idols, proving themselves by being able to command a stage on their own rather than accompanied by their fellow members.
Junghoon of OMEGA X is no stranger to the difficulties that come with making it in an industry so oversaturated with incredible talent. Despite that, he confidently released his first two solo tracks, “Belong” and “Slowly,” and celebrated this long-awaited solo debut with a release party attended by fans and peers. Unclear spoke to Junghoon about what this debut means to him, where he finds inspiration, and what his intimate release party was like.
How long have you thought about the possibility of releasing music as a solo artist? What made now feel like the right time to release these two tracks together?
Junghoon: “Releasing music as a solo artist is something I’ve dreamed of ever since I first started wanting to become a singer. In fact, before I even dreamed of becoming an idol, I dreamed of being a solo artist, and that was my original motivation for starting this career.
As for why I released these two songs at this time, my first solo project was planned around the fall and winter seasons. While thinking about what kind of music would best match that mood, I naturally gravitated toward songs that fit the sense of loneliness often associated with autumn. That’s how I ended up pairing these tracks and deciding to release them as a single album with two tracks.”
Can you describe the meanings behind both “Belong” and “Slowly”?
Junghoon: “First, ‘Belong’ is a gentle song that captures a moment of emotional release of a man who has lived through a lot of pain and finally finds stability in someone’s arms, while realizing where he truly belongs. The second track, ‘Slowly,’ is a soft and romantic song that reflects the fresh, fluttering emotions of falling in love for the first time.”
How does this debut feel different from debuting in a group both emotionally and creatively?
Junghoon: “When I write music for a group, I naturally focus on highlighting each member’s individual strengths. With my solo songs, though, everything could be centered entirely on my own color, and I was able to fully tailor the emotions and techniques to what felt most natural and optimal for me.”
How do you find inspiration for songwriting and production? What areas of your life do you find the most inspiration in?
Junghoon: “I usually get inspired by listening to songs that I personally think are great. I am pretty open to any genre, so I tend to listen to everything. And when one particular song really hits me, I let that feeling guide my work.”
Who are some of your favorite artists to listen to right now? Were there any artists who influenced the alternative R&B sound your solo tracks have?
Junghoon: “Personally, the artist I listen to and enjoy the most is Justin Bieber. For this album especially, I’d say I was heavily influenced by the sounds of Justin Bieber and keshi.”
I love that you’re sharing these songs with fans at a release party in Seoul. How have you prepared for this event and what were you most excited about?
Junghoon: “This event actually started through conversations with fans on a messaging app called Fromm, which we use to communicate. A lot of fans told me they wanted an offline event, and once I realized that, I immediately started looking for a venue and preparing. At first, I was thinking of doing something small and casual, like performing at a pub, but as the planning progressed, the scale naturally grew. In the end, I chose a standing concert venue where everyone could really move, enjoy themselves, and have fun together.”
photo courtesy of junghoon
What can you tell us about unreleased solo music that you performed at the release party?
Junghoon: “Not all of the songs I performed are guaranteed to be released in the future, but I wanted to show that I had been working hard on music even during the hiatus. I actually have a lot of songs, so narrowing them down was really difficult. I spent a lot of time thinking over it, and in the end, I only selected songs that I truly felt confident about for the performance.”
What was the energy like at the release party? How did the audience react to seeing your music performed for the first time?
Junghoon: “A lot of fans came to the release party, along with industry professionals and fellow musicians, and thankfully, everyone told me they had a great time. I was especially happy and proud because fans really loved the unreleased songs that I personally care a lot about. Overall, it was a very satisfying and meaningful performance for me.”