Always achieving new heights, South Korean actor and singer Lee Jin Hyuk returns to the music scene with his third EP titled "Scene26" on April 5.
His new extended play "Scene26" contains seven new tracks, with the artist stepping up with songwriting and composition credits in almost all of the songs. The EP is led by the title track "5K," followed by "Silence," "Asteroid," "Hati-Hati," "Be Half-Awake," "Wave," and "Coup d'Etat."
In time for his new album, Lee Jin Hyuk shares stories about his latest project, his future plans, and even the story behind his "babysun" moniker on social media in an exclusive interview with KpopStarz.
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Q: It has been about eight months since your successful album "Splash!" and its single "Bedlam." Now, regarding your upcoming comeback, can you tell us what it will be about? What might be the message of the songs in it or the concept that the music video will revolve around?
TOP MEDIA: MINI ALBUM [SCENE26] 은 내면과 외면 모두 한층 성숙해진 스물여섯, 현재 이진혁을 만날 수 있는 앨범입니다. 총 두 버전이 있는데요! Reel 버전은 도회적인 분위기의 시크하고 자신감 넘치는 이진혁의 모습을 패션화보 콘셉트로 담아냈고, Roll 버전은 소년에서 남자로 성장 중인 이진혁의 모습을 위트 있고 캐주얼하게 아날로그 감성으로 표현했습니다!
타이틀곡 '5K'는 팝 펑크를 기반으로 하여 반복되는 베이스 리프 사운드가 인상적인 곡으로, 미니멀하게 시작해 후렴구에는 피아노와 기타 등의 악기가 꽉 채워주어 더욱 경쾌하고 신나는 느낌을 줍니다.
사랑에 빠진 순간을 마치 흑백 화면 같던 일상에서 '5K' 화면을 처음 마주했을 때의 기분으로 표현, 'Full Screen Wide, LED' 등의 비유들을 가사에 사용해 이색적이며 위트 있게 풀어냈고요, '5K'(=Okay)라는 중독성 있는 키워드를 통해 이진혁만의 긍정적이고 유쾌한 바이브를 녹여냈습니다. 특별한 포인트는 후렴에서 반복되는 "5K"라는 중독성 강한 훅입니다!
Lee Jin Hyuk: '5K' 뮤직비디오는 워킹맨 콘셉트로 촬영했어요. 제가 미술관 같은 곳에서 미술작품처럼 서고, 제자리에서 걷기도 하면서 안무를 촬영했는데 굉장히 특별한 경험이었습니다. 또 같은 곳에서 여러 번 촬영을 해서 제가 여러 명인 것처럼 보이는 편집 기술도 재밌으니까 많이 많이 봐주세요!
TOP MEDIA: MINI ALBUM [SCENE26] is an album where you can meet Lee Jin-hyuk, 26, who has matured both inside and outside. There are two versions in total! The "Reel" version captures Lee Jin-hyuk's stylish and confident look, while the "Roll" version expresses Lee Jin-hyuk's growing boy-to-man look with a witty and casual analog vibe!
The carrier single "5K" is an impressive song with a repeated base leaf sound based on pop-funk, and the chorus starts minimal and fills the piano and guitar with instruments, giving it a more cheerful and exciting feeling.
The moment of love was like a black-and-white screen, and when I first met the "5K" screen, I expressed it in a unique and witty way using the lyrics, and I melted Lee Jin-hyuk's positive and pleasant vibe through the addictive keyword "5K" (=Okay). A special point is an addictive hook called "5K," which repeats in the chorus!
Lee Jin Hyuk: We filmed the music video for "5K" with a walking man concept. I stood like a work of art in an art museum or something, walked in place, and filmed the choreography, and it was a very special experience. I filmed it several times at the same place, and it's fun to see the editing techniques that make me look like several people, so please watch it a lot!
Q: You have recently posted your selcas on your Instagram with the caption "500day." We would like to confirm if it refers to your 500th day since you made your solo debut with "S.O.L?" If so, congratulations! Can you share the most important lesson you learned as a solo artist?
Lee Jin Hyuk: 네! 맞습니다! 솔로로 데뷔한 지 500일이 된 날입니다!! 솔로 아티스트로 활동하면서 배운 가장 소중한 교훈은 500일이 될 때까지도 쭉 많은 사랑을 받고 있다는 것 자체가 감사하고 팬분들이 항상 곁에 있어주는 그 마음이 정말 중요하다는 것입니다.
Lee Jin Hyuk: Yes! That's right! It's been 500 days since I debuted as a solo artist! The most precious lesson I learned while working as a solo artist is that I'm thankful that I'm receiving a lot of love until the 500th day, and it's very important that the fans always stay with me.
Q: Also, on the topic of your Instagram account, we are aware that some of your fans already know the answer. However, new followers are curious about where the "babysun" in your IG handle came from. Kindly share the story behind your username.
Lee Jin Hyuk: 제 별명이 '아기 태양'입니다! 왜 '아기 태양'이라는 별명이 생겼냐면, 중학생 때 태양 그림자 관측 실험 도중 제가 그림자 위에 손을 넣어 "태양은 내 손 안에 있다"라는 멘트를 하게 되었는데, 그때부터 친구들 사이에서 '태양신'이라는 별명을 갖게 됐습니다. 그 이후로 초심을 갖고 정진하자는 마음에 아직 성장하고 있는 아기로 바꿔 아기 태양이라는 별명이 만들어졌고 지금 제 인스타그램 아이디로도 사용되고 있습니다.
Lee Jin Hyuk: My nickname is Baby Sun! The reason why I got the nickname "Baby Sun" was because during the sun shadow experiment when I was in middle school, I put my hand on the shadow and said, "The sun is in my hand." Since then, I got the nickname "Sun god" among my friends. Also, I have changed my mind to a baby who is still growing up, and the nickname "Baby Sun" was made and is now used as my Instagram ID.
Q: Ever since your debut as a K-Pop idol back in 2015, and as an actor last year, you have steadily developed a growing fanbase eager to see the projects you will do next. Aside from a music release and a television series, kindly share whether there are other things you would like to do or try this year.
Lee Jin Hyuk: 라디오 DJ나 방송 프로그램 MC를 한 번 해보고 싶습니다. 또 언어 공부를 조금 더 해서 많은 팬분들과 소통하고 싶은 마음이 가장 커요.
또 계속 음악과 작품을 통해 오래 오래 팬분들의 사랑을 받을 수 있으면 좋겠습니다.
Lee Jin Hyuk: I want to be a radio DJ or a broadcast program MC. I want to study more languages and communicate with many fans.
I hope that we can continue to receive love from our fans through music and works.
Q: Lastly, what would you like to tell your fans ahead of your music comeback?
Lee Jin Hyuk: 요즘 서로 직접 볼 수 없어서 힘들지만, 언제나 여기서 기다리고 있을 테니 걱정 말아요!
항상 응원해 주셔서 감사하고, 앞으로 더 좋은 모습 많이 보여드리겠습니다!
Lee Jin Hyuk: It's hard because we can't see each other in person these days, but don't worry, we'll always be waiting here!
Thank you for always supporting us, and we'll show you better performances in the future!
Watch the music video for "5K," the lead single from the Lee Jin Hyuk album "Scene26" below:
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