ITZY’S CHAERYEONG sits down with CLASH to discuss her debut mini-album ‘Lovesick’, discovering her musical identity, and her future acting aspirations.
As a member of the hugely popular K-pop group , has been traveling and performing around the world as part of their “Tunnel Vision World Tour.”
Inspired by her travels and interactions with MIDZY—the group’s official fandom— along the way, the South Korean artist contemplated how her own solo music could connect with fans while showcasing a new side of her artistry.
The project was a transformative experience, allowing CHAERYEONG to present a completely new side of herself and express a truer version of who she is as an artist. It marks an ongoing journey of self-expression as she grows more comfortable sharing new concepts and refining her musical identity.
What inspired both the concept and sound of your album ?
Rather than being inspired by one particular experience or person, I chose the songs and concepts that I felt best reflected me at this point in my life from a wide selection of tracks. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to bring out the bright and cheerful energy of the song in the most appealing way, and what aspects of myself I wanted to show through this album. I wanted to find an approach that would best bring out the charm of both the song and the concept!
What did you want to express with the title track, ‘Lovesick’?
I wanted to show my youthful and lovely side through this song. Above all, I wanted the song to bring positive energy to everyone who listens to it!
How did you want to bring ‘Lovesick’ to life with the visuals? What was that experience like filming the video?
I wanted to create a visual concept that wasn’t just cute, but also had a girlish charm with a touch of maturity. I tried to bring these contrasting qualities together naturally in both the trailer and music video, so I hope you’ll pay attention to those details!
Since I had to lead the entire process on my own, filming the trailer and music video wasn’t always easy. But I really enjoyed the experience because it gave me the chance to try so many new things! There are also some connections between the stories in the trailer and music video, so I hope you’ll look out for those, too!
How did you want to show a new side of yourself as an artist that was different from the CHAERYOUNG we have seen with ITZY?
As a member of ITZY, I’ve mainly shown different concepts and powerful performances. For this solo album, rather than feeling like I had to show a completely new side of myself, I wanted to give people a deeper look into who I am. I wanted to naturally share my own vibe and personal tastes, which I haven’t always had the chance to show through our group activities.
What is the part of the creative process as a solo artist you enjoy the most? But also something that you’re excited to improve and learn more about?
I enjoyed every part of the process, from choosing the songs and developing the concept to working on the choreography and outfits! I couldn’t wait to share the dreamy and playful music I love with MIDZY. In the future, I’d love to become more involved in the songwriting process and grow as a songwriter so I can better express the sounds and styles I love through my music.
How did your experience writing and composing ’Mine’ and ‘Focus’ for ITZY help prepare you for your own solo career? And how different was it writing for yourself rather than the whole group?
My experience working on ‘Mine’ and ‘Focus’ helped me feel more comfortable sharing my opinions and ideas while putting this album together.
I think the biggest difference was that my personal tastes could be reflected much more directly in the work for my solo album. There’s a difference between making decisions while considering the group as a whole and making decisions based on my own preferences. My experiences exploring different concepts with ITZY and preparing solo stages for our concerts also helped me a lot in finding the direction for this album.
How long did it take you to find your voice as a solo artist? What advice or guidance was most helpful in this journey?
Honestly, I think I’m still in the process of discovering my own musical identity! So rather than saying it took me a certain amount of time, I’d say it’s something I’m still working on and developing. But the process of trying different things has been really exciting and fun. I’m exploring different possibilities and reflecting on my own work along the way to find what feels right for me.
I hope to continue discovering my own musical identity through more experiences and new challenges in the future.
How much has traveling and touring with ITZY inspired you creatively with music and any examples of times you remember that were particularly inspiring whilst on tour?
I’m always amazed and touched by the fact that people in so many different countries love our music and take the time to come see us perform. These experiences inspire me to work even harder and show our fans an even better side of myself.
These experiences have also made me think more about how my own music can reach and connect with our fans. The energy I receive from them has become a great source of inspiration and motivation for me.
What is next for CHAERYOUNG as a solo artist? What has been inspiring you lately?
More than anything, I want to be a member who can positively contribute to the team. I believe that as long as I continue growing, both as an artist and as a person, I’ll naturally be able to have a more positive impact on the group. I want to give my best in everything I do as an artist, gain as many new experiences as I can, and bring what I learn along the way into my future work.
Outside of music, is there anything you’d like to explore in your career and why?
If the opportunity comes along, I’d love to explore different fields outside of music, such as fashion or acting! Since I never know when I’ll get an opportunity or what it might be, I want to keep working hard on what I can do now so that I’ll be ready when the time comes. I think it would be really exciting to challenge myself in a new field and show everyone a different side of me!
‘Lovesick’ is out now.