“I want to be a singer whose voice can paint a life when heard just a few notes.”
Singer Minseo (29) expressed her thoughts on her musical journey in this way. In a recent interview, she said, “I don’t know how long I will be a singer, but I hope to become an artist that the public loves,” adding, “I want to be a singer who can evoke memories of that time. I want to deeply resonate with many people's lives through the songs I have released so far and the ones I will release in the future.”
Minseo recently announced a new beginning as part of a band called '90 Project', releasing their first single 'Another Way'. Although she has been a professional singer for eight years, considering her participation in audition programs and various activities, she has been active as a singer for nearly ten years.
While Minseo has been recognized as a ballad singer by the public, her gaze has not remained fixed in one place. She decided to release this album because she wanted to pursue her desire to be a vocalist in a band rather than as a solo artist.
Minseo shared, “Since I started as a singer, I wanted to try being in a band. I gathered with friends who share the same mindset to form this team. I took on the role of lyricist and worked on it. I tried to convey the messages I wanted to share,” and introduced her new song, saying, “Whenever I find myself at a crossroads, it can be confusing and difficult, but I hope this song can be a source of comfort on those paths.”
'Another Way' is a modern rock genre song centered around guitar that provides comfort to people living with many worries and concerns.
Minseo explained, “When I sang solo, I tried to show delicate emotions and feelings, but for this song, I aimed to give a refreshing feeling without being stuffy. Since it’s a song of encouragement for new choices and decisions, I wanted to create a musically open feeling.”
Starting with this album, Minseo plans to consistently showcase not only her personal music but also band-sounding music. She reflected, “I have been running without rest until now. Although I haven’t achieved everything I wanted, I think I have come to ponder what I truly want to do through that process,” and expressed her aspirations, saying, “I want to release many albums, whether singles, mini-albums, or full-length albums. I want to perform on various live stages, including festivals, as a team.”
Minseo mentioned that she has recently become more immersed in band music. She emphasized that she has come to understand the charm of band music, mentioning groups like Day6, Lucy, Hyukoh, and Silica Gel. She also stated that she is making an effort to delve deeper into the appeal of band music by closely examining their lyrics.
Minseo confessed that understanding band music is constantly challenging. This reflects her serious and sincere approach to music. She said, “There are various characteristics of band music, but first and foremost, I think the appeal of the voice is important as a frontman. How I express my sensitivity in diverse ways seems to be crucial,” adding, “I decided not to sing prettily. I wanted to create various forms of expression through my voice.”
The reason Minseo has been making music for a long time is not only for personal satisfaction but also for the people around her. She said, “While my own success is important, there are many precious people around me who make music. I often think about wanting to support the friends I have shared ups and downs with.”
Her family has also been a significant driving force behind Minseo's activities. She expressed, “The ones who support my will are undoubtedly my family and friends. They have always encouraged me, saying that a good time will come for me. I am very grateful that they always think positively of my voice and look out for me.”
Minseo gained recognition after appearing on the Mnet survival program 'K-Pop Star 7' in 2015, and subsequently began her career under Mystic, following singer Yoon Jong-shin. After using Mystic as a stepping stone, she transferred to Bill Entertainment in May 2023. About a year and five months later, in October of last year, she moved to her current agency, A-Side Company.
Her past activities have become nourishment and a guiding light for the current Minseo. She recalled, “Debuting at a young age, there were many parts that didn’t feel real, and I think I just followed what the company directed. There was a time when I was more concerned about the public than myself, and I was quite anxious. It was a challenging time, but it has undoubtedly become a stepping stone.”
Minseo stated, “I can confidently say that I have lived diligently. I have taken on many challenges. Through that process, I have been able to maintain a good mindset,” and expressed confidence about the music she will share in the future. “I hope there will be more opportunities to show my music up close and frequently,” she envisioned for her future.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]