[Interview] Somi Jeon: "I Poured My Experiences of Loving and Hating Myself into My New Song"

EP 'Chaotic & Confused' to Be Released on the 11th
A Fierce Journey to Find Myself Amid Chaos
10 Years Since Debut: "Recently Became Interested in Acting"

Somi Jeon is conducting an interview at a cafe on Hangang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 7th. The Black Label

"I always felt that I couldn't live solely on the image of being the 'national center' or 'number one.' Until now, I've shown a carefully curated version of myself, but this time, it's a period of letting things go."

Now in her tenth year since debut, at the age of twenty-four, Somi Jeon described her current state in these terms. She defined this period as a time to reassess the message she wants to convey as a popular singer. When we met at a cafe on Hangang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 7th, she said, "It's a time for me to accept and understand myself," adding, "It's okay not to have all the answers." She explained that this project was "a process of transferring who I am right now into my music and performances."

On August 11 at 6 p.m., Somi Jeon will release her second EP, "Chaotic & Confused." The album contains five tracks, including the pre-release single "EXTRA" and the title track "CLOSER." Regarding this album, she said, "I made choices that did not compromise between artistry and popularity," and explained, "Even if I had to give up some of the mainstream 'prettiness,' I wanted to infuse the work with meaning."

The music video for the title track "CLOSER" is centered on the theme of narcissism. Somi Jeon said, "Just as people say that excessive self-love can lead to self-hatred, I have also experienced loving and hating myself at the same time. I tried to capture those complex emotions."

"I've always been honest, but as a singer, I became conscious of how people saw me and tried to only say things that wouldn't cause any problems. Now, I don't want to hesitate to express myself. If what I want to say is confident and true, then there's no reason for it to be a problem."

Somi Jeon participated in writing and composing "Escapade" and "DELU" on this album. She increased the proportion of self-composed tracks and incorporated personal narratives into each song. When she hit a creative block, she would spend the night at a hotel instead of at home, refining her songs. She said, "I've never formally learned, but I picked things up by doing. As I've gained experience, the level of completion has changed."

Before starting work on this album, she told producer Teddy, "I'm going to approach this as if it's my last. Please help me with everything you've got." His reply was, "You have nothing to worry about now." Somi Jeon recalled, "Hearing that made me realize I was more prepared than I thought, and it gave me confidence."

Somi Jeon is conducting an interview at a cafe on Hangang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 7th. The Black Label

She plans to keep her blonde hair for this promotion as well. She said, "There's a certain energy that comes alive on stage when I'm blonde. Hair color, like an accessory, also affects my performance." Recently, she launched a beauty brand and shared, "I've loved cosmetics since I was young and have always experimented with makeup myself," adding, "I'm planning to connect my music and brand by releasing lip colors that match the album's concept."

Somi Jeon made her debut as the center of the project group I.O.I after finishing first on Mnet's "Produce 101" Season 1 in 2016. After moving to The Black Label in 2018, she began her solo career with "BIRTHDAY" in 2019, and has since expanded her domestic and international fanbase with pop and dance-based tracks such as "What You Waiting For," "DUMB DUMB," and "XOXO."

She described this album as "a project at a pivotal point in my life," and said, "Through this album and music video, my activities will expand further." Like her father Matthew Douma and her sister Evelyn, she has also started to take an interest in acting.

"I've received many acting offers, but I always said, 'I have no intention of acting.' That's because there was still so much I wanted to express and prove through music. But while filming this music video, I became interested in acting for the first time. I realized it's another way of expressing myself. Ten years from now, I'll be in my twentieth year, and I'll be thirty-four. By then, I might be doing something completely different. I could be living abroad for self-development, or I might be on an unexpected path. I'm trying not to be afraid of such changes."