Yuju Opens Up About Her ‘Natural’ Path To K-Pop Solo Stardom: ‘I Want To Be A Timeless Singer’

A recording studio is a sacred space for many singers, and this year it became a new meaning for Yuju.

Yuju broke out as the group's first member to officially embark on a solo career with the release of January's [REC.] album. A body of work where Yuju was involved in every song was marked by the five-trackEP she released. It was the first step in a solo journey that Yuju described as a good kind of anxiety.

When Yuju takes the stage to bring her debut solo single "Play" to life, she doesn't feel any butterflies at all. She selects her words carefully (only she can speak for her music now, versus five others helping in her former girl group) with her sweet and humble tone showing the light Yuju is enjoying in (one can't help but smile throughout her grins and multiple times she says "Thank Her summer single "Evening" feels like the beginning of a new chapter where fans can understand the buzz Yuju feels today.

Yuju talks about her first step as a solo artist, her early beginnings as an artist and more.

Let's start with your new song, "Evening." It shows your story as a solo artist, how did it begin?

"Evening" is a song that is a little lighter but filled with delicate excitement if "REC" is the album that contains the deep and unfettered emotions inside of me. I would like to become a singer who can express different feelings in my own style.

Is the new single the star of the project, or is it a moment by itself?

The previous album was called "record." I will work hard for more activities in the future and this song will be a part of that record. I want to show my fans great performances.

What's the bigger message behind this era?

There is a red light in the recording studio that gives you an alert when you are recording and that light gives me this anxiety. The name of the album is what I feel like showing up to the world. I just want to say all the feelings that I can. I have a lot to learn but I am on a new path.

How did you link with your new label? What made you join them?

The direction of the music was in sync with mine, and I met great staff in Konnect. When we talked about the music directions that they were taking, our communication was great. Chancellor, I'm really grateful; everyone is supportive.

The musical process has been for you. You have a lot of involvement in production.

My goal has been to have fun with it and be excited while doing it, but I haven't been good at it. It wasn't just on my own, I had help from many other people, but the idea was that I had so much fun doing it with them.

Jeff Benjamin wants to know if you remember when you first started writing music.

Since I was a young person, I liked the idea of writing songs, but I only started writing recently.

Do you have a favorite track?

Oh, that's right, Yuju. It's very difficult to choose. I recommend the song "Blue Nostalgia."

It has a cool title. What is the meaning of "Blue Nostalgia" when you wrote it?

The lyrics were written by Yuju. It was written a long time ago. I got the demo guide at dawn and began writing the lyrics on my own. It is a representation of preciousness and melancholy. Sometimes I dream about things that have happened to me in the past. After I wake up, I will have a dream, and then I will write about how I feel. All sorts of emotional aspects are mixed into a song. I have a great memory. Affirmative.

Jeff Benjamin has a bad memory. I remember you as an amazing vocalist. I can still feel the emotion when we are talking. Where did you learn to sing?

The first thing I do is focus on the basics of vocal practice. Adding technique with the emotional side of a recording is something that will come later. It comes in different moments depending on the place and environment. I try to pay attention to the technique and emotional side at certain times.

There are two different moods in the music videos for "Play" and "Evening" What are you doing with your art?

My videos are for fans. For my fans, there are Easter eggs for them to find. The phrase "mix and match" refers to the wardrobe, colors and the collaboration of the song. It is an idea I am taking to my fans and I am looking for them to connect it. You should find the Easter eggs as well. I want to help fans.

One of the hottest artists in the R&B and hip-hop world, why was he the right artist to work with on 'Evening'?

Big naughty is a free-spirited, witty and attentive artist. I was pleasantly surprised that everything worked out so we could collaborate on the song.

Did your collaborations help you find your color as an artist?

Working with some of the different artists gave me a different voice and vocals that I could try out. I grew into having a variety of vocal skills with them as a result. He had a lot of energy during his rap. He performed so well that I was impressed. I was influenced by him.

Have you considered the next album yet? Are you still interested in this era?

I want 'Evening' and 'REC.' to be the beginning of a lot of albums from now. I have thought about the next album and what I should do. All of my attention is on my album at the moment. My next album will be something that would be recorded, since the first one was about recording. The path I am going down is probably similar to the one I am going down. Maybe you should think about a photo. I'm still performing and I'm concentrating on the [REC.] era because it just came out.

Fans will appreciate it. Why did you want to do it alone?

It was natural for me to become a solo artist because I heard about the direction of the music and the chance to be a solo artist. I want to sing for a long time. It will still be fresh even if you look back at it at any time. I would like to be remembered as a great artist.

The relationship you have with GFriend members is very strong. Do you communicate with each other?

We've always been the same, we're not different now. We support each other's activities. Some of my friends are also doing acting, and we have just been looking forward to the future.

It might be hard to plan, but do you have any ideas when you go to see your fans? Do you want to let international fans know you care?

If the situation comes, as soon as possible, at any time, I will go to meet my fans, even if they are far away from me. I want to show my love to them all the time.