Kwon Jin-ah releases debut studio album

Singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah performs during a press conference showcasing her debut album at Ilchi Art Hall in Southern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

Singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah of Antenna Music released her first full-length album “One Strange Night” on Monday

It is her official debut as a recording artist, two and a half years after she joined season three of the reality TV competition series “K-Pop Star” and finished third in March 2014. After the show, Kwon signed an exclusive contract with the agency led by Yoo Hee-yeol who was one of the three judges on the show. She sang the theme song for Korean soap opera “You’re All Surrounded” in June and was featured on Yoo’s album “Da Capo” on a track titled “She Said” released November 2014. She was also featured on hip-hop musician Primary’s album “2” on a track called “U” with BTS’s Rap Monster.

Kwon’s debut album consists of seven tracks featuring songs written by star producers and popular singers of various genres. Guest participants in her album are Jay Park and Cha Cha Malone of AOMG, rookie R&B singer Babylon and veteran singer-songwriters Ra. D and Seonwoo Jeong-a.

As soon as Kwon’s album was released Sunday at midnight, the second track “The End” topped online music charts of Naver Music and Olleh Music. The song was developed by producers Ra. D and d. ear while Yoo wrote the lyrics.

“I didn’t know the song made it to the top,” said Kwon during a press conference at Ilchi Art Hall in southern Seoul. “I hadn’t expected my first album to do so well and just thought it would be a good experience. Still, I was hoping it would do well.”

Kwon added that she recorded the song more than 100 times and sang it about 1,000 times.

She spent the last three years writing songs and practicing dancing. Kwon wrote the tracks “Zig Zag,” which is meaningful to the singer as she recorded the song at her home to express a lonely night.

The fourth track “Yah!” tells a twisted story featuring Babylon. Korean-American rapper Jay Park harmonizes with Kwon’s sweet voice on the fifth track “You know…”

Kwon confessed that she went through a slump last year as things went too fast following her appearance on “K-Pop Star.”

“I didn’t know my first album would come out this fast. I cry easily but there are many occasions that make me cry these days, not because I am sad but because I am happy,” said Kwon.

“Every singer has his or her own charms. I express a sad but warm sensibility in my songs and they comfort listeners by expressing these sad feelings. I feel great when I hear my songs comfort people and that is the kind of singer that I want to be.”

Yoo made a surprise appearance at the showcase event to congratulate his newly debuting singer. Yoo said Kwon went through hard times even though she is smiling brightly now.

“I thought Kwon was not ready until recently but I guess I wasn’t ready to debut her,” said Yoo. He also added that YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk sent him a text message in the morning to congratulate Kwon on her successful debut. Yang was another judge advising Kwon on the singing survival show.