SHINee’s Onew is making waves again as a solo artist with his latest release.
In a recent chat at a café in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Onew opened up about his upcoming third mini-album, FLOW, set to release on September 3rd at 6 PM.
This marks his first solo release since his full album Circle came out in March last year. After leaving SM Entertainment, Onew joined Griffin Entertainment, marking a new chapter in his career. FLOW represents the start of this exciting new phase for him.
The album’s title track, “Attraction (beat drum),” is an upbeat pop tune featuring a catchy synth melody and a lively drum beat. The lyrics use the metaphor of a racing heart to describe excitement, with Onew’s unique vocals adding a memorable touch.
FLOW includes six tracks: “Attraction (beat drum),” “Hola!,” “Maestro,” “Shape of My Heart,” “Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun,” and “Focus.” Onew not only produced the album but also wrote all the lyrics, with contributions from songwriters Kim Ina and Jo Yoon-kyung to enhance its quality.
To celebrate the album, Onew will host a pop-up store from September 5th to 15th and will perform at fan concerts titled “2024 ONEW FAN CONCERT ‘Hola!’” in Korea on October 5th and 6th, followed by shows in Japan on November 21st and 22nd.
Onew is known for his precise pitch and reflected on his early career challenges with his voice. “I used to think I couldn't do much with my voice, almost like a trauma,” he shared. “I thought I could never be a main vocalist back then. But now, I believe no one can imitate me. Even if I make a mistake, I don’t panic. I want my audience to enjoy the whole performance.”
When asked about his family’s voices, Onew noted, “My parents actually have higher voices than I expected. I haven’t heard that our voices are similar.”
On the rise of content platforms like YouTube, Onew mentioned, “I found that it’s not as hard as I thought and can be a great marketing tool.”
He also spoke about the challenges of solo performances compared to group activities with SHINee. “Performing alone is really tough. I used to feel stuck in music shows and singing broadcasts. Now, I realize I need to be myself to create good synergy with the members.”
Onew emphasized his passion for singing, saying, “I love singing and want to positively influence others. It’s something I’ve thought about even during my rest periods.”
Looking ahead, Onew expressed interest in future collaborations and adapting to current trends. “I’d love to feature with the SHINee members. I’m into flowing and dance songs, but jazz is my favorite. I don’t want to be confined.”
Onew shared his plans for music show activities, “I won’t be participating in music shows this time. I want to focus on being a ‘performance type artist’ and explore various live performances.”
For SHINee, Onew hopes for continued harmony among the members. “We may have our ups and downs, but we create great synergy together. As a solo artist, I want to be a ‘better person’ and not be a burden on SHINee’s activities.”
He also revealed his future aspirations, “I want to show more of myself with this album and future concerts. I plan to have another concert in October. I want to be a ‘performance type singer’ and present a more approachable version of myself.”
Lastly, Onew shared his vision for his future career. “Happiness is a key value for me. Watching Coldplay perform at the Rose Bowl inspired me. I want to deliver great performances and do fun challenges with fans. I aim to be a genre-free artist and had fun exploring rap parts in this album.”
Source [1]
