By Dong Sun-hwa
Love is one of the most recurring themes in music, but K-pop diva Taeyeon has brought it to the fore in her third full-length album, "INVU," to give listeners another chance to muse about its essence.
"Love seems common, but it is still an inseparable part of our lives," Taeyeon said during an online press conference, Monday. "It can exist in various forms, and this is what I want to highlight this time. My new songs all revolve around love, but listeners can choose which one to appreciate depending on their situations. I think they will easily find them relatable."
"INVU," which dropped Monday afternoon, comes from the sentence, "I envy you." It is fronted by the lead track of the same name, which is a pop dance tune with a dreamy vibe and emotional weight.
"What this song says is that I envy you for receiving so much love from me and for not being as hurt as I am," the K-pop star explained. "As can be seen from its music video, it features a woman who tries to act cool and strong after being wounded by love."
At first, many officials at her record label, SM Entertainment, were reluctant to have "INVU" as the lead single. But Taeyeon changed their minds.
"As soon as I heard 'INVU,' I knew that it was the very song I had been waiting for," she said. "I was confident about my feeling. So I persuaded my company officials and succeeded in having it as the lead track … While recording this tune, I acted like a musical actress and made a lot of different facial expressions to unfold its story more dramatically."
"INVU" also carries 12 other pieces of various genres, including the R&B ballad, "Some Nights," and the disco-flavored, "Toddler."
"I gritted my teeth to gear up for this release, as I knew people have higher expectations for full-length albums," Taeyeon said. "I tried my best to showcase who I am now."
It took more than two years for the Girls' Generation member to put out a new studio album since the release of "Purpose" in 2020.
"I attempted to take a further leap in terms of vocal prowess," she said. "I wanted to push the envelope."
Taeyeon, one of the most gifted vocalists in the K-pop scene, has sold more than 1 million copies of her solo albums over the past 10 years, according to album tracker Gaon. The singer, who debuted as the leader of the iconic K-pop act, Girls' Generation, in 2007, went solo with the album, "I," in 2015, and has rolled out countless chart-topping hits since, such as "If" (2008), "Fine" (2017) and "Four Seasons" (2019). She recently made headlines for joining GOT the Beat, a project girl group made up of seven female singers managed by SM.
Thanks to her musical feats, she has become a role model for a legion of K-pop rookies.
"I am so glad to see a lot of singers choosing me as their role model, but this puts a burden on my shoulders as well," she said. "I hope these rookie singers do not get hurt in this cutthroat K-pop industry and learn how to express their thoughts."
 |
| Girls' Generation member Taeyeon poses during an online press conference, Monday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment |
"Love seems common, but it is still an inseparable part of our lives," Taeyeon said during an online press conference, Monday. "It can exist in various forms, and this is what I want to highlight this time. My new songs all revolve around love, but listeners can choose which one to appreciate depending on their situations. I think they will easily find them relatable."
"INVU," which dropped Monday afternoon, comes from the sentence, "I envy you." It is fronted by the lead track of the same name, which is a pop dance tune with a dreamy vibe and emotional weight.
"What this song says is that I envy you for receiving so much love from me and for not being as hurt as I am," the K-pop star explained. "As can be seen from its music video, it features a woman who tries to act cool and strong after being wounded by love."
At first, many officials at her record label, SM Entertainment, were reluctant to have "INVU" as the lead single. But Taeyeon changed their minds.
"As soon as I heard 'INVU,' I knew that it was the very song I had been waiting for," she said. "I was confident about my feeling. So I persuaded my company officials and succeeded in having it as the lead track … While recording this tune, I acted like a musical actress and made a lot of different facial expressions to unfold its story more dramatically."
"INVU" also carries 12 other pieces of various genres, including the R&B ballad, "Some Nights," and the disco-flavored, "Toddler."
"I gritted my teeth to gear up for this release, as I knew people have higher expectations for full-length albums," Taeyeon said. "I tried my best to showcase who I am now."
It took more than two years for the Girls' Generation member to put out a new studio album since the release of "Purpose" in 2020.
"I attempted to take a further leap in terms of vocal prowess," she said. "I wanted to push the envelope."
Taeyeon, one of the most gifted vocalists in the K-pop scene, has sold more than 1 million copies of her solo albums over the past 10 years, according to album tracker Gaon. The singer, who debuted as the leader of the iconic K-pop act, Girls' Generation, in 2007, went solo with the album, "I," in 2015, and has rolled out countless chart-topping hits since, such as "If" (2008), "Fine" (2017) and "Four Seasons" (2019). She recently made headlines for joining GOT the Beat, a project girl group made up of seven female singers managed by SM.
Thanks to her musical feats, she has become a role model for a legion of K-pop rookies.
"I am so glad to see a lot of singers choosing me as their role model, but this puts a burden on my shoulders as well," she said. "I hope these rookie singers do not get hurt in this cutthroat K-pop industry and learn how to express their thoughts."
![[INTERVIEW] How AmazeVR revolutionizes aespa's LYNK-POP concert](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/4431833759c44bdaa414cb314e90f2fe.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
