▲This photo, provided by SM Entertainment, shows Xiumin during press conference for "Brand New." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, Sept.26 (Yonhap) -- "This album is a turning point for me to grow one step further. Like the name 'Brand New', it shows new side of me."

Boy group EXO's Xiumin released his solo debut album "Brand New," challenging himself to stand alone.

During an online press conference to commemorate the release of his new album "Brand New" on Monday, Xiumin said, "I want to receive recognition from fans that 'Xiumin can release an album and perform in the stage as solo.'"

This album contains five songs, including the title song "Brand New," "How We Do," "Feedback," "Dandelion," and "Serenity."

The singer introduced the album saying, "I want to give this album to my fans Exo-L who have been waiting for me for a long time as a gift, adding, This album is gift box full of my charms.

"Brand New" is an old-school dance song with catchy hook that expressed the determination to change for the lover.

Regarding the reason behind on why he chose the music style in the 1990s and early 2000s, he said, "That was the time when I listened to songs the most. I still love their vibe even today that I wanted to re-create them with Xiumin's style."

When asked about the difference between songs in 'Y2K' era,late 1990s to the early 2000s, and K-pop today, Xiumin said, "Songs from Y2K era feel like listening with heart."

He said, "songs at that time had relatively simple sources and were easy to listen to, while they evoked a lot of emotions," he added. "I think today songs are upgraded verstion that you listen with your ear while many information regarding the song is needed."

Song "How We Do" is an up-tempo dance song collaborated with NCT's Mark in five years after "Yong & Free" released in 2017,

He said, "As soon as I heard the song, I wanted to collaborate with Mark, so I asked. I was so grateful that Mark said yes even though he was busy."

"Dandelion" is a ballad song with a retro vibe about a sincere love letter.

"The motif of this song is a white dandelion meaning 'I give you love'," adding, "It is a love letter to fans," said the singer.

Xiumin is a member of the boy group EXO who debuted with album "MAMA" in 2012.

EXO has established itself as the top boy group in third K-pop generation, releasing "Wolf," "Growl," "Overdose," and 'CALL ME BABY."

Although he received a lot of love for ten years as EXO member, he expressed that the pressure as a solo artist is different, saying, "I felt like I had eight times more responsibility because I had to do the works of EXO members all by myself."

"As 10 years have passed, EXO members and EXO-L are more precious than ever. I do not want to lose them even in the next 10 years."

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)

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