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Sunmi returns with 'STRANGER,' delving into unique persona
K-pop female soloist Sunmi poses during a press event held at Blue Square MasterCard Hall, Yongsan District, Seoul. Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
Former Wonder Girls member reflects on 17-year career
With the release of her eighth digital single, "STRANGER," K-pop solo artist Sunmi delves into her 17-year career, capturing the essence of self-reflection.
Returning to the spotlight, she took the stage with her trademark graceful presence at a press event at Blue Square MasterCard Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday.
"Although it's been quite some time since my debut, the mix of excitement and nervousness that comes with presenting something new never changes, and I genuinely enjoy this feeling," Sunmi said.
Since this marked her return after a hiatus of a year and four months, Sunmi could not hide her enthusiasm at the press event, often seen wearing a cheerful smile.
The singer aptly described her latest album as quintessentially "Sunmi-ish."
K-pop female soloist Sunmi performs at a press event held at Blue Square MasterCard Hall, Yongsan District, Seoul. Yonhap
"In this album, I aimed to convey the delightful interplay of seriousness and goofiness, a unique facet of my personality. I tried to uncover the quirkiness beneath my more serious exterior," she said.
The album features three tracks, including the title track, "STRANGER," "Calm Myself," and "Call My Name," which were all crafted by Sunmi herself.
Notably, the song, "STRANGER," is a portrayal of Sunmi as an artist, as she illustrates a narrative through her own perspective.
"I've often shared my own experiences in various contexts of my songs, and this time, I found it intriguing to imagine 'Stranger' as an alternate version of myself. The song provides a rather narcissistic delve into my persona," she explained.
Sunmi further elaborated on the music video for the title track.
"The music video features both the authentic me and a fabricated version, and the real me molding the fake one. It symbolizes the process of reinventing myself with each album release. The Sunmi on stage and the one here right now are completely different, and the music video encapsulates that sense of unfamiliarity."
The singer-songwriter also revealed that while preparing for this album, she once again realized the importance of self-reflection, a theme that runs through all three tracks on the album.
Singer Sunmi attends a press event held to mark the release of her new album, "STRANGER," at Blue Square MasterCard Hall, Yongsan District, Seoul. Yonhap
"The overarching message across all three songs in this album is the significance of self-love. In our hectic daily lives, we often neglect caring for ourselves, but without the ability to introspect, we gradually become weak. I believe it's crucial to be your own fan, and this album served as a means for me to do just that ― engage in self-reflection and self-appreciation," she said.
Having spent a decade as a solo artist and 17 years in the industry, including her time with Wonder Girls, the 31-year-old seemed keenly aware of the fact that her authenticity makes her resonate with the audience.
"I believe the public's affection for me stems from the ever-evolving narrative I share. I aspire to be a musician who not only creates music but also tells a story. I think people appreciate my commitment to staying true to myself without wavering," she reflected.
At the same time, she playfully expressed anticipation for the album's success, saying, "If I were to achieve first place on music shows, I'd love to dance in the rain to the title track on a particularly heavy rainy day."