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| ▲ This photo provided by Newtech Music on July 25, 2024, shows Korean singer NIIZ. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap) -- "Becoming a singer was a desperate dream for me, but it was also a difficult one that I tried to ignore. When the debut offer came, I felt I couldn't let this opportunity slip away," says rookie singer NIIZ (real name Ahn Yeon-jin).
The 29-year-old singer took her first step into the music industry on the 25th with her debut single "BLUR."
Born in 1995, NIIZ is relatively mature for a newcomer in the industry. Before taking on this new challenge, she had diverse experiences as a dancer, voice actor, YouTuber, and social media influencer.
Meeting NIIZ on the 24th in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the day before her debut, she shared, "I loved what I was doing, but living without pursuing my 'big goal' of becoming a singer felt like a life without progress. Before I got any older, I felt I had to give singing a shot at least once."
Her stage name, NIIZ, was chosen with the intention of satisfying the "needs" of her listeners. "My primary goal is to be as captivating as possible to the public," she declared.
NIIZ has been fond of dancing since kindergarten. Before the era of smartphones, she watched "UCC" videos on PC, mimicking idol group dances and performing at school festivals. She even showed her parents a cover dance video of Girls' Generation's "The Boys" to persuade them to let her enroll in a dance academy despite their initial opposition to her pursuing a career in entertainment.
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| ▲ This photo provided by Newtech Music on July 25, 2024, shows Korean singer NIIZ. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
While her journey seemed smooth after entering a university K-pop program, she faced repeated rejections in idol auditions, marking the start of a long journey towards her dream of becoming a singer. During this time, she utilized her talents in various roles such as a dancer, commercial voice actor, YouTuber, and social media influencer.
"My dream of becoming a singer was always my number one priority, but failing to enter the idol industry shook my confidence. However, my love for art kept me engaged in 'peripheral' activities related to singing, believing that an opportunity would eventually come," NIIZ reflected.
"I didn't tell anyone about my debut single because of past instances where my debut almost happened but didn't. I've realized that achieving it is more important than talking about it a hundred times. I didn't even let my parents hear the debut song beforehand," she added with a laugh.
Her debut song "BLUR" encapsulates moments of love and breakup, with the title being an abbreviation for "Blind of Love." The song features a sophisticated R&B melody that complements her unique vocal tone, which she describes as both husky and refreshing. NIIZ wrote the lyrics herself, aiming to showcase the dual aspects of her voice.
Having achieved her dream debut, NIIZ plans to release a second single next month without losing momentum. She also envisions releasing an album in the future, featuring songs that highlight her dance skills, which is her forte.
"I may have started later than others, but I believe showing a more serious and profound side will make up for it. I'm determined to put all my efforts into this and give it my all," she concluded.
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