Twice’s Tzuyu on Her Passion for Releasing a Solo Album and Her Advice to Aspiring K-Pop Idols

Twice’s Tzuyu on Her Passion for Releasing a Solo Album and Her Advice to Aspiring K-Pop Idols

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual world of K-pop, I can confidently say that Tzuyu‘s solo debut is a game-changer. The young star, hailing from Twice, the nation’s girl group, has taken the leap into solo stardom with her EP, abouTZU.


Tzuyu shared that her initial interest in working as a solo artist and producing her own music, along with performing on stage, grew into a strong passion,” Tzuyu says through a translator during a Zoom conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.

The 25-year-old K-pop sensation, Tzuyu, is the youngest member of the globally acclaimed band Twice. Since their debut in 2015, Tzuyu and the eight other bandmates have been developing their skills under the public spotlight for almost nine years.

Over the course of their musical journey, Twice – formerly known as the country’s top girl group – has consistently dominated Korean music charts and the Billboard 200, performed sell-out concerts worldwide, and more recently, pursued solo ventures and formed sub-groups for its individual members.

Tzuyu joins the ranks of her bandmates who have ventured out on their own, with Nayeon and Jihyo having already released two and one albums respectively. Similar to her fellow group members, Tzuyu aims for her debut EP, titled “abouTZU“, to provide Twice fans, or “Once”, an opportunity to discover a new aspect of herself.

Tzuyu shares that the journey started back in February when she initiated discussions with her agency, JYP Entertainment, regarding the potential for solo projects. They were supportive, leading to this venture. “Given it was my debut album,” she explains, “I encountered numerous obstacles along the way.

Twice’s Tzuyu on Her Passion for Releasing a Solo Album and Her Advice to Aspiring K-Pop Idols

“She acknowledged receiving tremendous assistance from everyone, which proved incredibly beneficial for her,” she added, acknowledging her fellow members from Twice. She disclosed that the process of going solo allowed her and her label to highlight a variety of fresh aspects about herself within this album.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the opening song on our beloved EP, titled “Run Away,” is serving as its lead single. This captivating synth-pop number has me hooked and provides Tzuyu with an opportunity to display the refined facet of her talent. At 25, she exudes elegance in the hauntingly beautiful music video for this track.

Tzuyu, both as a member of Twice and a solo artist, aims to captivate fans effortlessly with her charisma. This is who she strives to be. She hopes that her music and performances will offer support and vitality to our global fanbase.

Of all the songs on Tzuyu’s six-track album, “Fly” and “Lazy Baby” are her preferred choices. The ballad “Fly,” penned by the 25-year-old herself, seems particularly significant to the singer. She shares that this is the first time she wrote the lyrics independently.

She goes on saying that the song beautifully captures her story. For her and her followers, it serves as a motivational message. The opening lines are “You give me wings to soar once more,” and later it proclaims “Regardless, I’ll give it a shot / You are the driving force behind this, as I know I’m still breathing.

During Twice’s latest global tour, each member had opportunities to showcase their unique skills during individual performances. Tzuyu, who previously focused on dancing, chose to sing a ballad during their recent encore shows in Japan. Fans responded enthusiastically because they saw her in a new light, which boosted her confidence and inspired her to try even more innovative things in the future, she shares.

Twice’s Tzuyu on Her Passion for Releasing a Solo Album and Her Advice to Aspiring K-Pop Idols

As a devoted fan, I’m excited about Tzuyu’s mention of “Lazy Baby,” a track she hopes to perform live. This number features the Korean-residing American rapper pH-1 and, as Tzuyu describes it, carries a fun, quirky vibe that truly shines on the album. The catchy chorus, which repeats “I’m a lazy baby,” resonates with students and workers alike, as its lyrics reflect relatable sentiments like: “What are you going to do? Nothing / When are you going to do it? Not yet.” It’s quite a refreshing change from the album’s title track for Tzuyu, offering something unique and captivating.

Tzuyu shares that while working on her album, she looked up to other successful female solo artists for inspiration. Currently, her go-to musicians are Celine Dion and Korean singer Yerin Baek whom she listens to frequently and deeply appreciates. At the time, her favorite movie was the 2013 film “About Time” starring Rachel McAdams. She finds it incredibly romantic and enjoys thinking about what she would do if given a chance to rewind time.

Approaching their ninth year as a K-pop group, Tzuyu reflects on her career journey and shares valuable insights for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps. “While working on my solo album, I harbored many concerns and apprehensions,” she starts, “but this dream of mine has been a longstanding one, so I resolved to be bolder and strive for excellence.

For those young individuals aiming to become role models, or for my younger self, I’d say don’t let fear hold you back if you have big dreams. View everything, whether it’s positive or negative, as a learning opportunity.

The vocalist encourages aspirants, assuring them they’ll gain a lot of knowledge en route. “Simply take a step forward without any apprehension,” Tzuyu suggests. “That’s my piece of advice.

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2024-09-07 03:55