Bae Jin-young Embarks on Solo Journey with Debut Album 'STILL YOUNG'

Singer Bae Jin-young has announced a new beginning with the release of his first solo album, 'STILL YOUNG'.

After captivating fans as a member of Wanna One and later CIX for about eight years, Bae Jin-young has now poured his unique musical identity into this solo endeavor.

In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, Bae Jin-young shared, "I felt both joy and a great sense of responsibility. While group activities made it difficult to fully express my opinions, this album allowed me to showcase the music I truly wanted to make to my heart's content."

The album features a total of five tracks, including the title song 'Round & Round'. It boasts high production quality with contributions from renowned domestic and international producers, as well as Grammy Award-winning engineer David Young.

The title track, based on alternative hip-hop, vividly portrays captivating late-night moments with sensual sounds and a free-spirited rhythm. Bae Jin-young emphasized that 'musical freedom' was his top priority for this solo venture.

"I've always liked hip-hop rhythms. I wanted to create music that makes your body react the moment you hear it, music where you can play with the rhythm. Thinking too deeply can be endless. So this time, I decided to simply make the music I want to make. All five songs are in the direction I like. The key was to show my own color rather than just chasing mainstream appeal."

He described his solo activities as a 'time to break through limits,' expressing his desire to hear reactions like, "Did Jin-young have this side to him?" despite the pressure of handling everything alone, unlike during his group activities.

Regarding his transformation with a more daring and mature visual, moving away from his previous fresh image, he stated, "After performing for 8 to 9 years, I felt it was finally time to show my own color." He also mentioned that the encouragement from fellow Wanna One members Ha Sung-woon, Park Ji-hoon, and Yoon Ji-sung was a great source of strength.

Bae Jin-young is gearing up for his first solo fan concert, 'BEGIN, YOUNG,' and spoke of his dreams of performing on various stages like Waterbomb, Coachella, and even a dome tour.

"I'm working hard to prepare for the fan concert. I want to create a performance where I can make eye contact with fans, rather than just looking cool. A stage is ultimately something built together, not something where one person shines alone."

He described 'STILL YOUNG' as a symbolic representation of his journey, having battled with himself during a 14-month hiatus, returning to his initial resolve by letting go of perfectionism and choosing a new path. The album signifies a time of proving himself, remaining young and strong.

"I believe an artist is someone who plays freely on stage. Singing well is important, but truly enjoying the moment is what matters. A stage where you breathe with the audience and share genuine emotions. Someday, I want to hear people say, 'Bae Jin-young is a true artist.'"

Fans are showing support with comments like, 'Finally, Bae Jin-young's solo album!', 'Already a complete artist on his first solo!', and 'It's great that he's showing his own color.'