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Taeyeon reveals behind-the-scenes stories of new album 'Letter to Myself'

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Taeyeon of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Taeyeon of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

By Pyo Kyung-min

Taeyeon, the renowned main vocalist of the legendary K-pop group Girls' Generation and a trailblazing solo artist, is set to release her highly-anticipated mini-album, "Letter to Myself," on Monday evening, marking yet another milestone in her illustrious career.

After eight years as a member of SM Entertainment's flagship group Girls' Generation, Taeyeon launched her solo career in 2015, quickly building an impressive discography.

Her debut single, "I," along with a string of hits such as "Why," "Fine," "Rain," "Spark" and "INVU," propelled her to the forefront of K-pop as one of its most prominent female soloists.

Solidifying her continued success, her previous title track, "To. X," from her fifth mini-album, has remained a fixture on Korea's major music charts for months since its release in November 2023.

Taeyeon has been active as the main vocalist of K-pop band Girls' Generation since the team's debut in 2007 under SM Entertainment. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Taeyeon has been active as the main vocalist of K-pop band Girls' Generation since the team's debut in 2007 under SM Entertainment. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment described her latest release, "Letter to Myself," as a continuation of this momentum.

According to the label, the album "focuses on exploring emotions and the inner self," offering a message of self-acceptance and hope. "It conveys warmth through (Taeyeon's) journey of moving forward and showcases her evolving musical depth," SM said in a release.

The new album features six tracks spanning various genres, including the introspective title track, R&B ballads and energetic pop songs.

Taeyeon reflected on its creation and shared personal anecdotes about the creative process in an interview conducted through her agency.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Taeyeon's previous single 'To. X,' released November 2023, continues to chart on Korean music charts, striking an emotional chord with Korean listeners. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Taeyeon's previous single "To. X," released November 2023, continues to chart on Korean music charts, striking an emotional chord with Korean listeners. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Q. It's been a while since your last album release. How do you feel about it?

Taeyeon: Crossing this off my to-do list feels incredibly fulfilling.

Q. Your previous title track, "To. X," remains a long-running success on the charts. How do you feel about its sustained popularity?

Taeyeon: Honestly, I didn't expect the results to turn out so great. I'm incredibly grateful. I think it's thanks to the connection and empathy it sparked with so many people.

Q. What message did you want to convey to yourself or your listeners through "Letter to Myself?"

Taeyeon: To myself, I'd say, "Keep doing what you've always done." To my listeners, I want to tell them, "I hope you continue to crave my music, and I'll do my best to keep satisfying that hunger."

Taeyeon is set to release new mini-album 'Letter to Myself,' Monday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Taeyeon is set to release new mini-album "Letter to Myself," Monday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Q. What was your primary focus while working on this album?

Taeyeon: I treated each track like a standout track of the album, giving every piece equal attention and care.

Q. What can you tell us about the title track, "Letter to Myself?"

Taeyeon: It's a message to myself, which could have easily become overly serious or heavy. I wanted to present it as naturally as possible without making it cheesy or awkward.

Q. Aside from the title track, which song would you recommend?

Taeyeon: I'd recommend "Blur." It's a soulful R&B track that perfectly complements this season's mood.

Taeyeon's agency, SM Entertainment, revealed through a release Monday, that the singer's new album 'focuses on exploring emotions and the inner self.' Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Taeyeon's agency, SM Entertainment, revealed through a release Monday, that the singer's new album "focuses on exploring emotions and the inner self." Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Q. Was there a particularly memorable moment during the preparation for the album?

Taeyeon: There was a lot of debate about selecting the title track. Once again, the company and I had different preferences.

Q. What should fans look out for in the "Letter To Myself" music video? Are there any memorable moments from the shoot?

Taeyeon: In one scene, I had to portray anger in Korean alongside a foreign actor, which was a new experience for me since I seldom express anger in real life.

Q. Is there a message you would like to convey to fans who have been waiting for your album?

Taeyeon: This album was meticulously prepared with the thought of enjoying it together with you at concerts. I hope you fully immerse yourselves and savor it with your heart and soul.

Pyo Kyung-min pzzang@ktimes.com


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