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| ▲ This photo, provided by Woollim Entertainment, shows solo artist Kwon Eun-bi performing the title song "Door." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Woollim Entertainment, shows solo artist and former member of IZ*ONE Kwon Eun-bi. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Swing Entertainment and Off the Record, shows girl group IZ*ONE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- “My role model is BoA. I want to be a great solo singer who is capable of various genres and concepts.”
Kwon Eun-bi, former leader of IZ*ONE, has returned to the music scene for the first among the members. She has released her first mini album “OPEN” with the ambition to show the new side of her as a solo artist not as a member of a girl group.
“I invite you all to my world where I can dance, sing and write lyrics and songs,” said the solo artist on an online showcase on the day of the album’s release, the 24th.
Kwon, who impressed the watchers as an all-rounder on “Produce 48” from which IZ*ONE was created, has taken part in her first solo album in a wide range of aspects.
She came up with multiple ides for the overall concept including the performance, music video and styling. She also participated in writing the songs and lyrics for the side-tracks.
Kwon has put up her name amongst the lyrists for the title song “Door,” which she co-produced with the Hwang Hyun from the production team, Mono Tree, and songwriter Jung Ho-hyun.
“Door is used as a means to open up a space. The title ‘Door’ means that I will show you the new Kwon Eun-bi in a new space,” explained the artist.
Kwon who constantly emphasized ‘novelty’ promised to show a whole new version herself which will be different from that of when she was a member of IZ*ONE.
The song is a swing genre with brass sound. The performance is like watching a musical. It is quite different from former IZ*ONE’s majestic and powerful performances.
“I wanted to show the audiences that I am capable of this kind of genre as well,” laughed Kwon.
The ballad track “Raining Road” attracts the listeners with the singer’s pure vocal that leads the song by itself and “Amigo” depicts a fresh collaboration with Baby Soul from Lovelyz, who is in the same management agency with the artist.
The album includes “Blue Eyes,” an R&B (Rhythm & Blues) pop-dance and an acoustic song, “Eternity” as well.
Kwon said to have felt a lot of pressure during the album’s production process but received energy thanks the cheers from the former IZ*ONE members and the fans. The former members even visited her showcase to boost up their (former) leader and the biggest sister, Kwon’s confidence.
“They even visited me on the music video set and gave me frequent calls. Thank to them I could relieve the anxiety. They always give me the strength,” said Kwon.
(Former) IZ*ONE, debuted in October 2018, gained a lot of popularity setting new records for girl groups’ album sales in the first week of release several times.
There were hopes and predictions about the extension of the project group’s activities, but they disbanded in April as initially planned. Since then, there has been keen attention about the members’ future activities.
People are guessing that Jang Won-young and Ahn Yu-jin will join a new girl group set to debut during the second half of this year by Starship Entertainment.
Also, Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chae-won have been reported to debut as a girl group after confirming a contract Hybe label, Source Music. But the management agency has not announced a clear response regarding the news.
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