Not like their western counterparts, Okay-pop artists deliberately keep away from any information or discussions relating to relationships. Courting throughout the realm of Korean idols stays a controversial topic and in 2018, DAWN discovered himself embroiled in a relationship “controversy” with a senior artist from his report label—an incident that might have spelled the top of his profession.
At present, nonetheless, that very expertise is shaping his most impactful music to this point.
Following the notorious expulsion of DAWN and his then-girlfriend HyunA from Dice Leisure after going public with their relationship information (regardless of a wave of worldwide media consideration and fan help for the connection that put the contract break on short-term maintain), the then-24-year-old boy band member launched into a solo journey. He turned the primary male artist to hitch PSY at his newly established P NATION label.
His second act delivered experimental pop and hip-hop singles like “Cash,” “Dawndididawn” and “Silly Cool,” together with his relationship placed on totally inventive show with a joint EP with HyunA, titled 1+1=1.
By the top of 2022, each DAWN and HyunA determined to finish their contracts with P NATION in addition to their six-year relationship.
Now, DAWN’s private {and professional} transformations have paved the way in which for his Act III, which commences together with his newest single “Expensive My Gentle.”
Now signed with the burgeoning hip-hop label AT AREA based by manufacturing duo GroovyRoom (who’ve produced everybody from Korean hip-hop legends like Dynamic Duo to trending idol teams like (G)I-DLE and OnlyOneOf), DAWN has discovered a brand new residence to construct a devoted inventive workforce so “extra folks to grasp me as an individual higher.”
With extra music within the works, DAWN’s inaugural step with AREA by way of “Expensive My Gentle” discards Okay-pop’s signature shiny veneer and unveils an acoustic-led and emotionally charged letter to his ex. This manufacturing is just not the one factor stripped down as DAWN reveals candidness by way of the lyrics that talk on to his experiences with the Okay-pop business and HyunA. Satirically sufficient, regardless of cultural norms prohibiting Okay-pop stars from relationship freely, “Expensive My Gentle” has emerged as DAWN’s most profitable chart hit in Korea up to now.
Reflecting with Billboard from the consolation of his Seoul bed room, DAWN opens up about this new chapter, the uncooked experiences charged into his new single and what lies forward.
Billboard: You had a busy finish to 2022 and begin to 2023 with new skilled and private modifications. At first, how are you feeling as of late?
DAWN: After I left P NATION, I had about 4 to 5 months the place it was a time to recharge and in addition sort of rethink and plan out what I needed to be and the way I needed to outline myself as an artist. There have been two issues that got here up as objectives: One was making an attempt to have my very own creative workforce and create a inventive crew that I can work with. One other factor was discovering a label that may actually perceive how and who I envision myself as as an artist. And, now, I really feel assured that I’ve achieved each so I’m very completely satisfied and persevering with to work with that.
The music business may be difficult and this was one other important shift for you. Folks can get disheartened or damaged down by the business. Did you ever take into account leaving music or does it stay your core focus?
Generally I do take into consideration not pursuing music anymore as a result of behind my thoughts, I’m at all times [thinking], “Till when can I actually do that? Is there an endpoint to this? Will I be capable of proceed?” I believe that when listeners really feel what I’m doing when it comes to music is just not stylish or I’m not placing out good high quality of music, I really feel like possibly that’s the time once I cease however, clearly, I don’t need to. That’s why I’m at all times placing within the effort to search for one thing new, making an attempt to study and be impressed as a result of being impressed by one thing can be a giant half. So, that’s additionally why I created our workforce as a result of I felt like I might be impressed from different boundaries of artwork too—not simply different musicians, however from work, a tattoo, graphic design. I clearly don’t need to cease, however I give it some thought and I’m doing every part I can to proceed to ship good-quality music.
What was the method in creating and discovering this workforce together with your new label, AT AREA? I don’t know if I’ve heard of a Okay-pop artist making an artwork workforce on this method.
I began in Okay-pop and there’s numerous visible results to the music. So, when the music comes out it’s crucial to consider how we’re going to maximise the content material creatively and visually. When a music comes out, it’s important to take into consideration the paintings, the video and pictures—I believe Okay-pop is an interactive content material and artwork kind. With AT AREA, I clearly wasn’t solely speaking in regards to the music with them, however I began sharing my concepts with them and creating an artwork workforce was a technique for extra folks to grasp me as an individual higher because the workforce would perceive my tales the very best. I really feel very snug and protected brainstorming on how my music will probably be seen; I’ll discuss totally different kinds like, “I need to be seen this method for this sort of music.” The synergy is actually, actually nice now and I’ve the best companions for every facet of my music.
I’m glad to listen to that as a result of “Expensive My Gentle” could be very totally different from the music we’ve heard up to now. Beginning with the sound, what made you need to take this virtually musical shift?
The change and transition occurred very naturally from leaving P NATION. Though I left beneath good phrases, one of many the reason why I did was as a result of I knew I needed to point out a brand new aspect of myself as an artist. So, I don’t need to describe this as a “new” path for me often because I don’t see it as a transition however merely a change in my mindset.
Even the paintings for “Expensive My Gentle” appears like a change out of your previous work, virtually like a brand new artist, so it’s actually thrilling however you say it’s a transition?
Aside from the piercing, I suppose my new mindset is that earlier than it was very centered on expertise. I might say, “I can dance like this, I can sing like this and I can carry out like this” so I used to be very centered on that. However now I’ve modified to eager to showcase extra of who I’m as an individual. As in, “It is a sort of story that I need to inform you and encourage you.” I need to discuss extra about myself and ship a message, “That is my voice and I need to inform my tales extra.”
You’ve shared how “Expensive My Gentle” is about your relationship with HyunA, which was very courageous to not shrink back from and put right into a music. What extra are you able to share in regards to the music when it comes to your historical past collectively?
I can affirm that it’s about my previous relationship, however I need to add that it could be odd for me to disclaim that as a result of, as an artist, I need to discuss what I’m going by way of now. So, I’d be mendacity as a result of that’s what I went by way of, that’s what I’m going by way of and that’s how I’m feeling. So, I’m confirming it’s about that and the music is my story.
Do you’ve a favourite lyric?
It’s part of the primary verse, the [English translated] lyrics of, “Met you if you had been most lovely/ I might undergo something it doesn’t matter what anybody stated.”
Is that line referencing when issues had been unclear after you left Dice Leisure?
It’s referencing again to that point once I left the corporate and there have been numerous totally different feedback, media, tales, numerous speaking occurring. There was numerous backlash from that, but in addition lots of people anxious about us and, after all, lots of people supporting us too. I used to be additionally very younger on the time. But when I believe again to it now, I really feel like that was such a tough time however I do not forget that despite the fact that it felt like the entire world was in opposition to us and we might actually undergo it as a result of we had one another and since we liked one another a lot—that was what sort of helped us get by way of it.
Thanks for sharing that. I liked the refrain’s final traces, “It’s okay if I lose every part/ So long as I can see you dazzling.” There’s a way of being selfless even in the event you’re hurting. What impressed that?
It’s a reasonably direct reflection of how I used to be feeling once I was in love and I nonetheless consider that that’s the best approach to love as a result of I heard somebody say as soon as that if I actually love somebody, then your mind oddly makes you suppose that your lover is definitely you. So, you begin cherishing them such as you’re cherishing your self. And so I consider that what I do for my associate is actually what I’m doing for the 2 of us in order that’s sort of my selfless angle once I take into consideration relationships.
One thing that I assumed was fascinating was that HA:TFELT, or Yeeun from Surprise Women, co-wrote “Expensive My Gentle” with you. She additionally got here from an idol group background and will present herself and her tales extra as an artist. Was there any connection or frequent floor that you just guys discovered collectively?
So, I’m not superb with phrases. [Laughs] Expressing myself and my feelings into phrases could be very difficult typically. One of many challenges was, “How can I write my feelings in a fantastic method?” And HA:TFELT has been a good friend ever since me and HyunA had been in a relationship so she’s sort of seen the entire technique of our historical past. And she or he’s an incredible author too. So, I actually needed to work together with her; there was a extremely good synergy between us penning this.
The paintings and idea pictures are very highly effective too I liked all of the kinds in “Dawndididawn” and “Silly Cool,” however this appears like one, easy idea. What are the paintings elements representing right here too?
I believe style is not only the wardrobe or what I’m sporting, however I exploit it as a device to precise myself. That’s why I believe there’s consistency as a result of me, as an individual, doesn’t change. So, I really feel very assured that it appears to be like coherent collectively. When it comes to the paintings and the pictures itself in “Expensive My Gentle,” it’s a music in regards to the development of a model of myself that was in a darkish area discovering an individual, discovering the sunshine, and progressing right into a extra optimistic person who feels brighter. That’s why you see thorns across the neck and a gap in my coronary heart on his chest; all of that expresses the void that I felt throughout my darkish instances, however the music video exhibits that void fills up and the identical development that the music portrays.
Is there something that you really want folks to know who pay attention and hook up with the music personally?
For individuals who both parted methods from their companions or are going by way of a darkish time of their lives, I would like these folks to know that in the event you go searching, there are folks that may actually make clear them.. There are individuals who actually love them and I actually consider that. By way of this music, I additionally need to be that for them and reassure listeners that possibly this music might be the sunshine, or in the event you actually go searching there’s somebody who might be that for you. I need to be a treatment for individuals who want it kind of.
The rest to share as you proceed on this new chapter?
For my followers and listeners, I at all times aspired to make music that evokes others. Now with AT AREA, I’ve already written numerous my tales and can proceed to write down extra. I’m wanting ahead to folks listening to that music and I’ll maintain working very, very arduous.