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| Singer Lee Hi had an interview with The Korea Times and other media outlets Thursday at L7 Hongdae by LOTTE. Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
By Dong Sun-hwa
Nothing can deter soulful female vocalist, Lee Hi, from releasing her new album.
She will be releasing the fresh album after a three-year hiatus, regardless of a recent controversy surrounding the founder of her agency YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun-suk. The sex-for-favor allegations against him were raised Monday on an investigative journalism program.
"People have been looking forward to my album for too long, so I could not put it off anymore despite the scandal," Lee said during the interview Thursday at L7 Hongdae by LOTTE. "Yang was fond of the lead track and cheered me on."
While many K-pop singers release new music two or even three times a year, the 23-year-old vocalist did not follow the common path. This was largely because she could not find a lead track that struck her fancy.
"I recorded a myriad of songs but could not choose a lead track among them ― I was looking for a number that could resonate with myself and the listeners. In the end, I got 'NO ONE.'" Lee said.
"NO ONE," which boasts an Indian-style sound and retro-flavored lyrics, is the lead song for her new album "24°C."
"When I first heard the song without melodies or lyrics, I thought it was novel but too challenging. But the completed version enthralled me," Lee said.
The track is an homage to veteran blues musician Han Young-ae's song of the same name. Lee said she did not remake it since she believed she could not "bring back" the original vibe.
"B.I from K-pop boy band iKON featured on the song and brought diversity to it with his ad-libs," she added.
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| Lee Hi's mini-album "24°C" was released on streaming sites at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. |
Also included in her fresh EP are four cross-genre B-side songs "NO WAY," "LOVE IS OVER," "1,2" and "20MIN."
Saying the upcoming album deals with various themes on love, she revealed she can now express the feeling of love.
"In the past, I was too young to understand and express love, but now I think I know a bit about it," Lee said. "As a 23-year-old woman, love seems to be a topic I can touch on the best."
"24°C" was released on the streaming sites at 6:00 p.m. (local time) Thursday.
She said she was uncertain whether her songs will reign atop the music charts. Nevertheless, she wants to be musically active and frequently meets up with her followers.
"I hope to be a singer who people want to keep listening to," she added.
Lee was became known to the public after becoming the runner-up in the SBS audition program "K-pop Star Season 1" in 2012. She joined YG after the show and has released several smash-hit tracks including "1,2,3,4" (2012) and "Breathe" (2016).
