Teen Top’s Niel, Military Exemption → Solo Comeback “Putting It All Down and Starting Over” (Comprehensive)[DA : Interview]
Teen Top’s Niel honestly confessed his feelings regarding his military service issue.Although it was against his will, he predicted an even busier schedule this year as his military service issue has been resolved.
Before the interview to commemorate the release of his 4th solo mini album ‘SHE’ held at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 18th, Niel started off by saying, “I think it would be good to talk about the military issue first and then start in earnest.”
Due to the endless waiting, there was no way to properly plan for activities, rest, or anything.Niel said, “At the time, I had been away from activities for almost two years,” and “I always kept that in mind when I was planning my schedule because I didn’t know when I would have to enlist in the military.Even when writing activity-related contracts, I included military-related clauses.I also couldn’t go abroad much, so it was difficult to meet overseas fans.” He added, “It was around the time when the Teen Top members were enlisting one by one, so I thought it would be good to go together, but that was the situation.”
They say that misfortune comes all at once.As I got to the point of burnout, I spent more isolated and closed time.I mostly lived at home and gained close to 90kg.Niel said that he was coincidentally cast in the web drama ‘Guys I Want to Catch’ and went for a costume fitting and only then realized his current condition and started dieting.He added that he was not able to lose as much as 62kg during his prime but is currently 68kg.
Niel said, “I even thought about quitting being a singer.I was under a lot of mental stress and was afraid to do it again.When I was thinking, ‘I should stop here, ‘my fans told me,’ We want to see you on stage.’” He said, “I do a lot of game broadcasts on YouTube, and they told me,’ We want to see you sing, ‘so I gained courage.When I thought about when I was truly happy, it was on stage.I made up my mind to go back to the stage.”
Last year, he was finally exempted from military service, and the path was finally over for him to be free to work without worrying about the timing.He started preparing his solo album in earnest in January of this year, and in March, he established the agency EL & D Entertainment, making a fresh start as the company’s representative and artist.The new album was originally scheduled for release in March, but it was postponed.He completed a five-song mini-album in two months, which is quite ‘ultra-fast.’
Niel said, “I had a firm idea of what I wanted and had many meetings during the preparation process.I thought a lot about what kind of image I should show the public and fans would like and what kind of music I want to make.” The theme is ‘breakup’.The concept is a feeling of being swept away, hurt, and exhausted, which fans like.In order to fill the tracklist with songs that fit the overall mood, I excluded self-composed songs that didn’t fit.
The album, which will be released today(the 22nd)at 6 PM, includes the title track ‘SHE’, as well as ‘Sapé’, ‘The Meaning Within Love’, ‘If you re the ocean’, and ‘What s the Excuse for Love ?’
This album, which is completely different from the Korean R & B style, is composed of emotional songs based on neo-soul and groove pop.It honestly expresses deep concerns and emotions about love, and contains overwhelming emotions that are almost impossible to handle.Producer DOKO(도코) was in charge of the overall production of the entire album.
Niel said, “I prefer a deep feeling.The music I usually enjoy listening to and like is manic and deep, and the songs I write and compose also tend to be deep.Especially for this album, since it’s my first time establishing a company and standing on my own, I wanted to do what I wanted to do.” He struggled between popularity and taste, but he said, “I prepared with the mindset of not being intoxicated by past glory, forgetting everything and starting from scratch.I really wanted to show a new side of myself.I wanted to show that ‘I can do this kind of music, too.’”
First, regarding the title song’ SHE ‘, he explained, “It expresses a man who is lost and trapped in a breakup.It’s a minor song, so it may be liked or disliked.” On the contrary, he added that the third track, ‘What’s in the Word Love ‘, is similar to the music that Niel has done so far.Niel emphasized, “I also thought the third track was my’ favorite ‘and would go well together, but I wanted to show a different side of myself, so I chose’ SHE ‘as the title track.” He also sang the lyrical fourth track,’ If you re the ocean ‘, while he predicted that the fifth track,’ What’s the Excuse for Love ‘, which features a prominent band sound, will be the most popular with fans.He explained, “It’s a song that I asked to be used as a drive song.It’s great to listen to at sunset or on my way home from work.The band session is included, so the melody itself is easy and catchy.I think people will like it because it’s easy to listen to.”
How did Teen Top members react? Niel said, “Changjo couldn’t let us hear it because he was in the military, but the other members liked it.Ricky is working on the musical ‘6 O’ Clock Off Work ‘with me, so I let him hear the choreography video and the song.He even asked me to give him the song, saying,’ I think it’ll do really well.’Thanks to their unstinting support, we were able to push ahead firmly.”
(He made it with his own money)and as the head of the company, he is especially attached to the album because there is not a single decision that Niel made.Niel confessed, “I can do 100% what I want because I run a one-man agency, which is nice.But the responsibility is also 100% mine,” and “I am constantly studying to keep up with trends, and I think about how I can become’ neujoh(feel good)’when I have meetings with my employees.” He also expressed his gratitude to Highlight’s Son Dongwoon, Infinite’s Sunggyu, and Kara’s Park Gyuri for their advice during the process of establishing the company.
Although he doesn’t have his own challenge choreography for this album, he is always open to challenge requests.Niel, who is between INFP and INTP, said, “I’m not good at approaching first.I hope you approach me,” and showered me with love calls.He also expressed his intention to try to contact various YouTube channels as actively as possible.
There are no music broadcasts scheduled, but they have prepared a special free event for fans.They will rent a place, invite fans, and do it like a pre-recording.Niel expressed his hopes by saying, “We plan to create an event where we can practice cheering with fans for 4 hours and do various things together.I hope you like it.”
Niel said, “2025 will be a year where I can often show myself to fans,” and “When you told me to be active, I couldn’t, so now I want to work hard and show as much of myself as possible.I hope you don’t get tired.” He continued, “This year is also Teen Top’s 15th anniversary.When Changjo is discharged from the military in May, I think I’ll be able to meet fans as a member of Teen Top.We’re all passionate.I want to have a concert this year and greet you with an album.I’m looking forward to seeing more of the old days since we’re a bit younger than other groups in our age group.”
Reporter Jeong com -yeon, Donga.com shine2562@donga
Photo courtesy of EL & D Entertainment
This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.
