Singer-songwriter Ahn Ye-eun / Courtesy of DSP Media

Rising to fame on SBS's "KPOP STAR 5" in 2015, singer Ahn Ye-eun has carved a unique path in the music world, captivating listeners with her boundary-defying sound.

In an interview with The Korea Times, the singer-songwriter described her music as "polarizing," modestly reflecting on her success.

"I've never thought of my music as uniquely distinctive or particularly colorful in a positive sense," Ahn said. "I simply created the kind of music I could at the time. Fortunately, there were people who found it intriguing, and thanks to them, I still get to perform today."

Ahn debuted on "KPOP STAR 5" with an unforgettable blend of a distinctive vocal style and self-composed tracks infused with "gugak" (traditional Korean music). While her performances stood out from those of other contestants, her music earned both acclaim and criticism from the show's star-studded panel of judges.

After her debut performance on the show with her original song "The Red Knot," JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young and YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk critiqued it as "lacking in mainstream appeal" despite acknowledging its "unique and full of character" qualities.

In contrast, fellow judge and renowned singer-songwriter Yu Hee-yeol thought highly of Ahn's potential. "The concept is bold and unfamiliar," Yu said at the time. "It feels like listening to the theme song of a modern historical drama. There's no one like her in Korea, and that's what makes her music truly refreshing."

Viewers appeared to side with Yu. Ahn's originality struck a chord with audiences, propelling her through the competition with seven self-composed songs. She ultimately secured second place, cementing her status as a rising vocalist.

Singer Ahn Ye-eun performs during her inaugural Japanese concert in Kawasaki Plaza, Osaka, Japan, Oct. 13. Courtesy of DSP Media

Nearly nine years later, Ahn has gone from a rising newcomer to a seasoned artist. Her signature style, rooted in Korean tradition, shines in songs like "Octopus' Dream," "Night Flower" and "CHANGGWI," with these positioning her as a pioneer of a genre uniquely her own.

Ahn attributes her ability to maintain her distinctive musical identity to her personality.

"My friends call me an 'otaku' (person with intense interest)," she said with a laugh. "When I get hooked on something, I can't stop until I know everything about it. As a child, for instance, I memorized every song from Disney musicals. That obsessive tendency helps me immerse myself in a single concept."

Despite praise for her music, Ahn remained modest about the idea that her work has become a genre in itself.

"It feels strange," she said. "It's like scoring 28 points on a test but being praised as a top student."

Ahn revealed that she is currently learning to embrace the admiration of her fans to create stronger artistic work.

"I think internalizing compliments from those who love my music helps me bring out my strengths as a performer and songwriter," she said. "Confidence isn't a personal virtue of mine, but as a singer, it's essential. I'm working hard to find a balance so that confidence doesn't tip into arrogance."

Screenshots from Ahn Ye-eun's upcoming single, "King Carp," slated for release on Thursday / Images captured from YouTube

Ahn is now gearing up to drop a new album this Thursday, almost two years since her last release in February 2023. Once again, the singer has written and composed every track, staying true to her signature gugak-inspired sound.

The six-track album includes the title song "King Carp," along with "Soon," "Waning Moon," "Not Me Not Mine," "Remain" and "King Carp (Instrumental)."

"The album focuses on creating music that feels natural in any setting," Ahn commented on the album.

"Except for 'King Carp,' the other tracks take a more subdued approach, presenting stories in a calmer, more conversational tone," she said. "Compared to my previous work, they're the kind of songs that would feel at home in everyday spaces."

Yet, fans can expect the dramatic flair they've come to love in the title track, "King Carp."

"The song is about a carp that transforms into a human and shares different stories during its journey," Ahn said. "It serves as the narrator for the album's overarching theme."

The inspiration behind the carp? Ahn shared a personal anecdote with a chuckle — "There's no deep reason — it's simply because my father dreamed of a carp before I was born." In Korean culture, it is common for parents or close relatives to have dreams that are thought to predict or symbolize the upcoming birth of a child.

As always, Ahn hopes her listeners will continue to find their own meaning in her music. "That's always been my goal throughout my eight-year career. I love open endings, and I want my listeners to create their own stories when they hear my songs," she said.

"Of course, as the songwriter, I have a sort of guidebook for what the songs mean. But the listeners' stories are just as important as mine. I hope they can build their own narratives while listening."