▲ This photo of singer and painter Solbi, whose real name is Kwon Ji-an, is provided by Jian Castle. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- "I've rarely followed a predictable path in life. I've always wanted to be someone full of surprises. I want to praise myself for daring to pursue my dreams of becoming a singer, painter and writer -- and making them come true."

 

Singer and painter Solbi, whose real name is Kwon Ji-an, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut this year.

 

She debuted in 2006 as a member of the coed group Typhoon, then a rarity in the K-pop scene, and gained popularity in the 2000s with emotionally charged dance songs such as "So...", "Only You..." and "I'll Wait...," while also becoming a familiar face on television variety shows.

 

She made her solo debut in 2007 with "Why Did I Love?" and has been active as a painter since holding her first solo exhibition in 2012. She published an essay collection in 2014 and expanded her career into screenwriting last year by writing the script for the short-form drama "My Ex-Boyfriend Is a Top Star."

 

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul's Yeouido district on June 22, Solbi reflected on her two-decade career.

 

"The best decision I made over the past 20 years was starting art," she said. "Whether as a singer or a painter, I feel proud that I've proven to myself that dreams can come true if you pursue them. I hope to keep dreaming good dreams over the next 10 years as well."

 

Although she works in fields where producing tangible results is essential, Solbi said she enjoys the creative process itself.

 

"My dream is to one day become a grandmother and hold art exhibitions and concerts at a 'Solbi Museum,'" she said with a smile.

 

"I've lived diligently over the past 20 years without shame, and I've achieved meaningful accomplishments as a singer, entertainer, writer and painter. When I look closely, there were many hardships that were difficult to endure, but when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I think I've lived a happy and grateful life."

 

To mark her anniversary, Solbi released the new single "Holiday" on June 21.

 

Built on a rock 'n' roll foundation, the upbeat summer song showcases her soaring high notes and energetic performance. Performance director Gunjo participated as the song's producer, and the two plan to perform "Holiday" together at music festivals across the country.

 

"It's been a long time since I performed a solo song with choreography, but once I got on stage, it felt like energy I had forgotten about came rushing back," she said. "I wanted to sing powerfully and freely on stage."

 

▲ This photo of singer and painter Solbi (L), whose real name is Kwon Ji-an, and performance director Gunjo, is provided by Jian Castle. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

Despite her busy schedule, Solbi has released at least one new song every year, either as a solo artist or as part of a group.

 

"There were times when I couldn't devote myself entirely to music, but music was always with me," she said. "Whenever someone tells me I'm a good singer or recognizes my songs, I feel proud to be a singer."

 

Gunjo said he produced the new single while imagining Solbi freely expressing an untamed energy that had never been molded by agency training. Solbi said she also made a determined effort to break free from the self-doubt that had weighed her down.

 

"Gunjo once told me I was like a puppy trapped inside a box. Even if someone opened the box in the middle of a vast field, I'd still be too afraid to step outside," she recalled. "I cried a lot after hearing that. I think I'm finally stepping out of the box I locked myself in. Performing on stage has become fun again."

 

She added that collaborating with Gunjo helped her rediscover the energy she displayed when she first debuted two decades ago.

 

"In the music industry, there were many times when I had to adapt to the industry's structure rather than simply release the songs I truly loved as an artist," she said. "Working with Gunjo made me realize I could unleash the same energy I had on stage 20 years ago."

 

Unlike performing music before a live audience, painting is a solitary pursuit carried out in the quiet of a studio, where she turns her back on visitors and expresses her inner world through color.

 

Solbi first picked up a paintbrush to heal from the emotional scars left by malicious online comments. Since then, she has established herself as a painter through numerous exhibitions in South Korea and abroad. In 2023, she appeared in an American documentary on cyberbullying and participated in a special exhibition against cyberbullying last year.

 

"Whether I'm painting with my back to the audience or singing while facing them, I'm becoming a better version of myself," she said. "Art has made me stronger on the inside. Simply continuing my work in music and art without being intimidated by cyberbullying is the powerful message I want to send."

 

Through June 28, Solbi is participating in an exhibition at the Suwon Gallery Art Fair alongside five artists, including Son Jin-hyung and Choi Ha-na. She is displaying 12 works centered on colorful flowers and trees.

 

"Landscapes filled with flowers are like the path and record of my own life," she said. "Painting flower-filled roads comforted me by telling me, 'I'm doing well.' I hope visitors can find the same comfort through my work."

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]