Onew of K-pop boy band SHINee is gearing up for a new solo release, "FLOW," set for release on Tuesday. Courtesy of GRIFFIN Entertainment

When K-pop fans think of Onew, many recall his distinct vocals that have defined his role as the lead singer of K-pop boy band SHINee. In an interview Thursday at a cafe in Seoul's Gangnam District, Onew himself acknowledged that his voice is indeed his greatest asset.

"At first, I didn't like how unique my voice was. It felt strange, especially since I couldn't even mimic the voices of other great singers. No matter what song I sang, it always ended up sounding like Onew," he told The Korea Times.

"But that was before I realized the value of my uniqueness. Over time, I came to understand that being different isn't a flaw. Now, I truly appreciate that I can bring my own color to any genre of music."

This realization is why Onew finds immense joy in performing live and making others happy through his voice.

"Performing live at every show isn't something extraordinary for a singer — it's what we SHINee members have always done. Still, there's always a sense of pride and joy in delivering a live performance," he noted. "As a singer, I'd choose to make others happy over living happily for myself any time. The moments when someone tells me my songs brought them comfort are when I feel truly alive."

K-pop boy band SHINee's leader and vocalist Onew acknowledges that his voice is his greatest asset. Courtesy of GRIFFIN Entertainment

For the singer, the time he spent away from the stage from June 2023, when he had to pause his activities due to health issues, was particularly challenging.

"I had to stop because of an issue with my throat. It was tough, both mentally and physically. Even doing everyday things like going to the convenience store near my house left me out of breath. There were times when I thought I wasn't happy," Onew recalled.

"But even during that difficult time, I held on to the thought that someone might be waiting for me. I missed the stage and my fans, so I focused on recovering quickly and diligently followed my treatment plan. I endured it all by reminding myself that I needed to be truly happy first in order to share that happiness with others."

Onew's latest mini-album "FLOW" marks his first release since joining GRIFFIN Entertainment. Courtesy of GRIFFIN Entertainment

This is why his upcoming mini-album, "FLOW," set for release Tuesday, is particularly meaningful for the artist. Not only is it his first release since recovering, but it also marks his debut under GRIFFIN Entertainment following his move from SM Entertainment in April.

"Last year's album, 'Circle,' centered around the themes of life's cycles. This time, 'FLOW' focuses on the movement within these cycles," the 34-year-old shared.

"Our positions and circumstances in life can change at any moment, so I wanted to convey the message that we should do our best in those situations while still preserving our unique identities."

Mainly showcasing his strengths as a vocalist, "Circle" earned widespread acclaim, including being named Billboard's 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023.

Despite the success, Onew did not rest on his laurels. His latest album takes a new direction, featuring lively, accessible sounds designed to reach a broader audience.

"This is likely to be the brightest album among my solo works. I approached it with the goal of creating songs that everyone can enjoy together, songs that people can easily sing along to," he said.

"Beat Drum," an upbeat pop track, is the lead single of "FLOW." Courtesy of GRIFFIN Entertainment

The lead single from the album, "Beat Drum," is an upbeat pop track that pairs Onew's playful vocals with lyrics that liken a racing heart to the beat of a drum. Onew revealed that his biggest experiment on "FLOW" was attempting rap for the first time in "Beat Drum" and that he views these "wild experiments" as one of the advantages of being a solo artist.

"I didn't set out with the intention of definitely including rap. I considered replacing the rap with a vocal line, but when I tried it out for fun, it turned out better than I expected. I guess I got lucky," he said.

"Being a solo artist motivates me to complete something on my own. Through challenges like this, I've learned to accept when something doesn't work out, to find better solutions and to let go of the pressure to always be perfect."

Onew's willingness to take on new challenges isn't just about his solo career — it's also for the future he envisions with his fellow SHINee members.

"I want to proudly show my abilities through my work to my fellow members. Even though I think of the SHINee members as family, there's still that desire to prove yourself to those close to you," he said. "I want to show them the music I've poured my efforts into and prove to them how much I've grown and how we can create more synergy through this in the future."