LEE CHAEYEON Wants Her Latest Album To Be a Source of Strength
“I wanted to share a message about continuing forward in your own way, no matter the situation.”
Lee Chaeyeon is back with another record, and it’s her most vulnerable yet. The K-pop soloist and former member of IZ*ONE just dropped her 4th mini album, Till I Die, in a uniquely delicate output. This is more than just an exploration of her performance skills, but marks a defining new chapter for the artist, where she fully explores her artistic identity through both song and dance.
With a clear passion for performance, the album unpacks the emotions behind being in the spotlight through uncertainty, fragility and unwavering determination. The music takes inspiration from a range of genres, including hip hop, R&B and dance-pop, with plenty of Y2K references and striking rhythms. With her delicate vocal tone, Chaeyeon reflects on her growth and healing with a hopeful excitement for the future.
We caught up with the artist to hear about the new release, the varied influences and what it’s like to get so vulnerable. Read on for the full interview.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into music?
Ever since I was young, I loved watching girl group music videos and following along with the choreography. As I started attending dance classes, I naturally developed an interest in music and performance, and that passion has continued until now.
You just released your fourth album, Till I Die. What were some of the inspirations behind this project?
Till I Die is the album that most honestly reflects who I am right now. It’s centered around the emotions I feel, the situations I’m in and my sincerity toward the stage. That entire process became the biggest source of inspiration for this project.
This is a deeply personal record. What was it like getting so vulnerable?
It wasn’t easy to open up and show my honest feelings. I kept wondering whether people would really connect with these emotional moments, and I worried that it might feel too heavy. But at the same time, I felt that if not now, at this moment and in this situation, it might be a mood I would never be able to express again. It was also a process of showing myself as I truly am, and I think that’s the most important part of this album.
The focus track is called “No Tears On The Dancefloor.” Can you tell us the story behind the song?
“No Tears On The Dancefloor” is about choosing to keep moving forward, even in difficult moments. It started from the idea that no matter what emotions I’m carrying, I want to transform them into energy on stage.
Is there a message you want listeners to take away from the album?
I wanted to share a message about continuing forward in your own way, no matter the situation. I hope this album can be a small source of strength for someone.
You’ve balanced a mix of influences, with hip-hop, R&B and dance-pop numbers. How would you describe your overall sound?
Rather than defining my music as one genre, I see it as a performance-driven style that naturally blends different genres. Within that, I’m continuing to build my own unique color.
You were formerly part of the group IZ*ONE. What have you taken away from your experience with them?
I learned the value of working as a team and a strong sense of responsibility toward the stage. Those experiences became a big foundation for who I am today.
What’s something fans would be surprised to learn about you?
I may seem very energetic on stage, but in my daily life, I actually prefer being calm and relaxed. I think that contrast might surprise some people.
What can we expect from you next?
Moving forward, I want to continue showing new sides of myself through different kinds of music and performances. I hope to create stages that give people a real sense of excitement and thrill, and my biggest goal is to meet fans more often with an even more grown-up version of myself.
