Seulgi casually observed: "Good and wicked individuals are not easily distinguishable," during one of the numerous company meetings she attended in advance of her solo debut. Within one person, there is both good and evil. Her debut EP, 28 Reasons, which is currently available, was ultimately structured around this idea. It appears as a subtitle on the front of every edition of the book and describes how she represents Snow White and Grimhilde (the Evil Queen) in the teaser pictures, looking both heavenly and evil at the same time. A register of Seulgi's greatest abilities as she navigates sinister and seductive themes, it serves as the unifying theme of the coherent six-track album.
Determining the ideal concept and aural identity for 28 Reasons, the Red Velvet member's first solo show, was essential to the project and also the most challenging aspect of the creative process. The 28-year-old singer explains to NYLON via Zoom that there was a lot of reflection and thought. "I was considering whether we should do something popular with most people in general. Do something that only Seulgi can do, or should we not?
She needed to hear the title track's demo, which many on her team pointed out was a fantastic fit for her, in order to get her bearings. I wanted to create a notion that best reflected who I am, she adds. "And once I set that path, the rest of the album simply organically fell into place."
Nobody could be a better fit for "28 Reasons'" eerie elegance. Seulgi interacts with the audience like a cat plays with its prey in the music video. She sings defiantly and passionately while dressed in leather and chains, "The more you shatter, the more you'll want me." Although coexistences are fundamental to Seulgi's artistry, the typical person would never anticipate it to be the same bubbly, smiling woman on the screen of this call right now since she portrays the character so naturally.
She recalls liking to sing and dance as a child in her native Ansan, South Korea, and even recording covers of singers who were on TV at the time. She says she came to the realisation that "Oh, this is something that makes me really happy, and it's something I think I'm really good at." She joined SM Entertainment, one of the biggest South Korean entertainment firms, in 2007 after the covers led to auditions. Seulgi made his band debut in 2014 with Red Velvet, a quintet that based its repertoire on the notions of the bubbly "red" and the seductive "velvet." She became recognised throughout time as the group's principal dancer in addition to one of its vocal leaders.
Seulgi, who is frequently referred to as an ace of K-pop, is more than just a female group member. She has worked on numerous duets and projects with other artists over the years, including a subunit with Red Velvet bandmate Irene and the January 2022 release of the supergroup GOT The Beat. Many people are inspired by her carefree-chic style, which lead her to host her own radio show, Seulgi.zip, on Naver NOW. She represents Salvatore Ferragamo internationally and has starred in a number of advertising campaigns for companies like Converse Korea, Coca-Cola, and Volkswagen. She also enjoys drawing (part of her work can be seen in the movie 28 Reasons), dabbling in photography on a side Instagram account, and, most recently, trying her hand at songwriting. The lyrics for her song "Dead Man Runnin" were picked through an internal blind test at SM Entertainment.
Being a "all-rounder" is practically necessary in K-pop: Idols must sing, dance, and captivate audiences around the world, and they must do so expertly. To say that about Seulgi, on the other hand, seems like an understatement, a watered-down explanation of all the subtle ways she stands out as a performer. Her stunning features, which are the first thing anyone notices, are sharp yet soft and are instantly recognised regardless of her hair or makeup style. Her smooth voice then echoes, followed by graceful dance steps that command attention. She is difficult to miss on stage and much more difficult to avoid being taken aback by her presence.
She recounts, looking up and humming as the memories flooded back, "During my debut [with Red Velvet], because everything was my first time and I didn't have a lot of experience, I remember always wanting to do the best. I felt nearly constrained because I simply followed orders. I can now make judgments, take acts, and operate more fluidly since I'm a little more flexible and at ease. In my [album], I believe you can perceive that flexibility.
The ongoing back-and-forth between embodying various Red Velvet ideals was crucial for Seulgi in bringing forth the variety of delivery in her solo debut. She claims that it made it easier for her to focus and switch between the good and negative notions.
She had plenty of time while working on the album to reflect on this contradiction. She discusses her own dark side in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of 28 Reasons, but claims that despite her struggles in the past, she has never become "negative enough to try to ruin someone." She sees herself as a usually upbeat individual. I believe it's [better] to choose to be nice and raise the finest versions of yourself, she says, rather than feeling horrible and hurting other people.
"I was considering whether we should do something popular with most people in general. Do something that only Seulgi can do, or should we not?
"I was considering whether we should do something popular with most people in general. Do something that only Seulgi can do, or should we not?
The finest of Seulgi is on display in 28 Reasons through its brave examination of subjects including post-heartbreak despair and happy escape. According to her, "This record includes every talent and power that I wanted to appeal to." On the dramatic "Dead Man Runnin'" and the solemn R&B track "Crown," her voice conveys vivid agony and regal power, respectively. She reveals her vulnerability on the sorrowful duet "Bad Boy, Sad Girl" with rapper BE'O, reflecting on her emotions after a restless night. The laid-back, carefree feelings of "Anywhere but Home" are reminiscent of Estelle's "American Boy," and the mind-numbing techno drop chorus of "Los Angeles" stands out sharply in contrast to Seulgi's delicate lyrics.
Her entryway to a bright future, 28 Reasons is more than just a depiction of one rising celebrity. Seulgi declares, "I want to develop into an artist that people can anticipate what I will do next with." "Don't just be amazed with what I pulled out," I said.
Seulgi then insistently requests that I write in all caps, at the conclusion of our interview, "This project [took] a lot of effort and time, not only mine but of a lot of individuals engaged." Working on her solo debut taught her more than anything else that none of it would be achievable on her own.
I finally took the time to appreciate how much effort everyone else has put in, she says. Not because I discovered amazing power or skills, but rather because of how many individuals got together and gave [it] their best, I feel proud of this record.
