260706 THE BOYZ Jacob Interview for KoreaIN [Full Translation]
"THE BOYZ Jacob Talks About Solo Career And Shares Which Member Would Come To Brazil With Him"
After almost 9 years since his debut with the group, Jacob Bae, a member of THE BOYZ, faces the challenge of a solo career with the release of his album j. He is the first member of the group to have a solo debut and is now holding a series of showcases across Asia while promoting without his members.
Differently from the energetic style present in the group releases, Jacob brings songs with a slower rhythm to his album j., with a more nostalgic and romantic vibe. The tracks are also co-written and co-produced by him, and include special featurings in some songs, like with Sunwoo (THE BOYZ) and Thai soloist Wonderframe.
In an exclusive interview for KoreaIN, Jacob talks about his personality, the message within his album, the differences between a group career and a solo career, plans for THE BOYZ, and many other interestings tidbits. Check out below!
KoreaIN: Hello, Jacob. Congratulations on your solo debut! We are really happy to witness this new step in your career. The MV for the title track evokes an emotional and nostalgic vibe. What were your inspirations for the song and for this concept?
Jacob: Thank you so much! I wanted "Slow Dancing" to be about slowing things down, enjoying the present and, at the same time, looking forward to what is still to come!
KIN: About your debut album, j., what message does it convey?
Jacob: Musically, with j. I wanted to show what kind of music I have always wanted to make! As for the message, I wanted people to want to fall in love after listening to it! (laughs)
KIN: The title of your album suggests a more personal work, something more closely connected to who you are. One of the songs is called "Off the Record". How would you describe yourself off the record?
Jacob: I'm just a shy and reserved boy trying to use music to say what I usually wouldn't be able to express otherwise.
KIN: Producer KWACA, who worked with you on making this album, said it took you almost two years to complete all the tracks. What was the most challenging part of producing this album, and how did you overcome it?
Jacob: To be honest, KWACA and I would always have music sessions and make songs on the spot when we had the time! Making the songs was never the difficult part, the most complex part was organizing everything and completing the project.
KIN: THE BOYZ member Sunwoo was featured on the track "Back & Forth" in the album. Is there another THE BOYZ member you would like to collab with in future albums, or even create a unit together? Why?
Jacob: I would love to make an album with a more indie vibe one day, and I feel like it would suit Q so well! He also likes that style of music and he has a very pure voice!
KIN: Speaking of THE BOYZ members, what are the main differences between working in a group and working as a solo artist?
Jacob: In a group, it's definitely more physically draining, and things take longer to be finished, but the atmosphere is really vibrant and it's reassuring to have the members to rely on! It was good to experience working as a solo artist since I had control over everything, but it was more work than when I'm with the group.
KIN: This is your official solo debut, but in 2021 you released the mixtape Kindle. How do you see your trajectory from that mixtape until your solo debut album? Did anything change?
Jacob: I feel like the pop vibes have always been present, but I was able to refine my music a lot more since Kindle, and I've learned many things as well! I hope I can continue to evolve with each album!
KIN: We know you are very creative, since you are also a composer. So allow us to suggest a different way to promote the songs from the album j.! Sometimes when fans want to promote a song or a movie, they create video edits with movie scenes and parts of the song. You have probably seen something similar with THE BOYZ songs. If you could suggest a video edit using one of your songs and a scene from a movie or a TV show, what kind of combination would you make?
Jacob: I feel like "Stars in the Sky" could easily be the OST for a movie! Actually, I thought of "The Fault In Our Stars" and I think it would be a great combination!
KIN: In the song "Promise", one of the tracks in the album, during Wonderframe's part we can hear the lyrics "from Monday to domingo". Well, "domingo" is the Portuguese word for "Sunday", which is the official day most people can rest here in Brazil. So if you could come to Brazil to rest for a day, who would you bring with you and what would you like to do?
Jacob: I would love to bring Juyeon and make up for our trip to Catalina Island. (laughs) I'll make sure to do a good job guiding him so he doesn't get mad at me again!
KIN: To conclude our interview, we are all curious to hear some spoilers for your solo career or for THE BOYZ activities this year. Can you share anything with us?
Jacob: I will do my best to travel around the world, meet fans and perform for them, while continuing to produce more songs! Aside from that, December marks THE BOYZ's 9th anniversary, so we're also trying to prepare something special for the fans!
260703 THE BOYZ Jacob Interview for Rolling Stone Korea [Full Translation]
"JACOB, Telling His Own Straightforward, Honest Story Through His Solo Debut Album"
(T/N: Translation may contain inaccuracies! Photos from onestowatch.)
Only a few months after THE BOYZ concluded their successful concert, K-Pop artist Jacob, who receives warm love from fans all around the world, has revealed his first solo project, <j.>. Comprised of 7 tracks in total, this album is filled with comfort and empathy, and the warm relationship between people, while also being a fully completed work that allows us to see deeper into who Jacob is as an artist and as a person. Rolling Stone Korea met with Jacob ahead of his album release and heard honest behind the scenes stories about his new start and this album.
[RSK] Hello, Jacob! Our most sincere congratulations for your official solo debut. Let’s start with a brief introduction to our readers.
JACOB: Hello! I’m Jacob from the K-Pop group THE BOYZ. I have thankfully released my first solo album. This was a project I prepared with a lot of help from truly incredible people and worked very earnestly while learning every single step behind making an album from scratch.
[RSK] Your first digital album <j.> was released immediately after your birthday. Was that something you planned from start, or was that just a fortuitous coincidence?
JACOB: I planned it that way! Honestly, at first my goal was to release it on my birthday on May 30, but I realized while working on it that I still needed a little more time to complete it. As this was something I had been preparing for a long time, I didn’t want to be hasty and do it carelessly. So instead of releasing it on the day of my birthday, I wanted to surprise the fans who have been waiting for a long time and tell them the news myself, as a small but precious gift.
[RSK] Before, you were constantly releasing your solo songs through SoundCloud and YouTube. When comparing those with this official release, what was the biggest difference in the process of producing this album?
JACOB: For my previously uploaded SoundCloud and YouTube songs, aside from the final mixing, I did everything myself. So when I listen to them again now, from a technical standpoint I can hear many parts that sound inexperienced and many aspects that I didn’t know at the time and that sound regretful now. On the other hand, for this official album I worked together with professional composers and accomplished producers, so sound-wise it could become a fully realized album with much more well-rounded results.
[RSK] The album is named <j.>, which is short and concise while also giving a strong impression. We’re curious to hear how you arrived at that title, and if there were perhaps other candidates.
JACOB: I really gave it a lot of thought. “This is the first album I’m releasing under my name, that is so majorly important that I have to think carefully before making a decision”, I was pressuring myself with thoughts like that. (laughs) At first, I tried writing down many words and poetic expressions with a deep meaning, but I found that they were all too long to use as a title. At the time, Kevin, a member of THE BOYZ, suggested “How about going with something short and intuitive like Ed Sheeran?” As it happens, Ed Sheeran is an artist I really admire. I heard that and stopped to think, and it occurred to me that I’m someone who usually likes things to be simple and intuitive, and I’m someone who speaks honestly, without embellishing things. So I chose the first letter of my name “Jacob”, “J”, as the title, and I thought that it would be nice to continue the solo series following that same clean format in the future.
[RSK] The title track, “Slow Dancing”, has an emotional sound and poetic lyrics evoking nostalgia. Was there a particular memory or inspiration behind the lyrics?
JACOB: This song already had a beautifully finished melody line, so I focused on writing the perfect lyrics for it. While listening to the music, I thought that it would be nice to talk about a love that grows slowly but strongly by using the keywords “Slow Dancing”. As the lyrics say, it can be a romantic scene where you’re dancing while slowly matching the steps of your loved one, but there’s a deeper meaning that by not rushing and slowly getting to know each other, and by staying together not only through good times but also difficult, stormy times, love grows stronger.
[RSK] You picked Ed Sheeran, Keshi, HAIM, Men I Trust as artists who inspire you musically. What in particular about their music inspired you to build Jacob’s own style?
JACOB: To be honest, I started listening and got really into HAIM and Men I Trust about 3 or 4 months ago. Both teams have an unparalleled sound texture and peculiar mood that I found really fascinating. My producer recommended me HAIM saying “I think this will help you find Jacob’s new musical color”, and they have so many great songs that I was really inspired. I found Men I Trust by chance through the YouTube algorithm. Since I search and listen to indie music often, I think it was recommended to me, and I was drawn in by the fact that they’re from Canada like me. If you listen to the album on shuffle, it’s truly the best music to enjoy especially late at night. Since Ed Sheeran and Keshi have been on my playlist for a long time now, they were the artists with the biggest influence on the creation of my sound.
[RSK] For this album, you collaborated by having THE BOYZ Sunwoo and famous Thai rapper and singer-songwriter Wonderframe featurings in “Back & Forth” and “Promise” respectively. What quality did each artist bring to these songs?
JACOB: To be honest, since this was my first solo project, I was hoping I could have the name of one of our members in a track. I’ve particularly wanted for a long time to properly work on music together with Sunwoo. Even though we usually joke around a lot and sing together during our lives, we had never had the opportunity to work on music together in an official capacity. “Back & Forth” was a song that was added to the album at the last minute, and as soon as I had finished the first verse, I was convinced that “Sunwoo’s rap needs to go here no matter what”. So I told the producer, “We don’t need to make a new melody for the second verse, I’ll ask Sunwoo right away”, and as expected of Sunwoo, as soon as he heard my suggestion, he immediately agreed without any questions. Thanks to Sunwoo’s vivid rap, the song came alive with a much more trendy vibe. “Promise” was actually written years ago, and at the time the second verse was left empty. Then around a year ago, while listening to it again, it occurred to me that it would be nice if instead of singing it by myself, I sang it with someone else like we were having a conversation. Fortunately, I had the chance to have a meeting with Wonderframe; she has a really bright and friendly personality and said she really liked the song and readily agreed to feature on it. Later, when she sent her part all done, she had added fresh tones and ideas that I would never have thought of if I were working alone, so I was really amazed. What could’ve been a dull song became a much richer, layered track thanks to Wonderframe.
[RSK] The fans are waiting eagerly for Jacob’s new solo performance. Do you perhaps have plans to have a solo concert or world tour?
JACOB: Of course! It’s one of the things in my bucket list and a precious dream I definitely want to achieve. If possible, I hope the opportunity can come within this year. I imagine every day the moment when I will perform the tracks in this album in front of an audience. Be it a concert or a fanmeeting, I want to stand on a stage where I can look fans in the eyes, no matter where it is, with no formalities. I’ve always promised to meet as many TheBs as possible around the world, and as they may know, I’m not one to break my promises. (laughs) I’m giving everything I’ve got preparing behind the scenes to keep that promise.
[RSK] Lastly, please send a message to Rolling Stone Korea and to your fans.
JACOB: The album <j.> is made of music that I’ve been perfecting for a long time that I wanted the world to hear, like a version of myself. If the RSK readers give it a good listen and like it, I think nothing would make me happier. Also, I’d like to let you know that this is just the beginning. The music I want to make in the future and the new genres I would like to try are endless. So I hope you can be excited with me in my solo journey that will unfold moving forward. I will work toward becoming a Jacob who will never let you regret the time you spent by my side by repaying you with good music that is always filled with sincerity. Thank you!
260703 THE BOYZ Jacob Interview for Rolling Stone Korea [Full Translation]
"JACOB, Telling His Own Straightforward, Honest Story Through His Solo Debut Album"
(T/N: Translation may contain inaccuracies! Photos from onestowatch.)
Only a few months after THE BOYZ concluded their successful concert, K-Pop artist Jacob, who receives warm love from fans all around the world, has revealed his first solo project, <j.>. Comprised of 7 tracks in total, this album is filled with comfort and empathy, and the warm relationship between people, while also being a fully completed work that allows us to see deeper into who Jacob is as an artist and as a person. Rolling Stone Korea met with Jacob ahead of his album release and heard honest behind the scenes stories about his new start and this album.
[RSK] Hello, Jacob! Our most sincere congratulations for your official solo debut. Let’s start with a brief introduction to our readers.
JACOB: Hello! I’m Jacob from the K-Pop group THE BOYZ. I have thankfully released my first solo album. This was a project I prepared with a lot of help from truly incredible people and worked very earnestly while learning every single step behind making an album from scratch.
[RSK] Your first digital album <j.> was released immediately after your birthday. Was that something you planned from start, or was that just a fortuitous coincidence?
JACOB: I planned it that way! Honestly, at first my goal was to release it on my birthday on May 30, but I realized while working on it that I still needed a little more time to complete it. As this was something I had been preparing for a long time, I didn’t want to be hasty and do it carelessly. So instead of releasing it on the day of my birthday, I wanted to surprise the fans who have been waiting for a long time and tell them the news myself, as a small but precious gift.
[RSK] Before, you were constantly releasing your solo songs through SoundCloud and YouTube. When comparing those with this official release, what was the biggest difference in the process of producing this album?
JACOB: For my previously uploaded SoundCloud and YouTube songs, aside from the final mixing, I did everything myself. So when I listen to them again now, from a technical standpoint I can hear many parts that sound inexperienced and many aspects that I didn’t know at the time and that sound regretful now. On the other hand, for this official album I worked together with professional composers and accomplished producers, so sound-wise it could become a fully realized album with much more well-rounded results.
[RSK] The album is named <j.>, which is short and concise while also giving a strong impression. We’re curious to hear how you arrived at that title, and if there were perhaps other candidates.
JACOB: I really gave it a lot of thought. “This is the first album I’m releasing under my name, that is so majorly important that I have to think carefully before making a decision”, I was pressuring myself with thoughts like that. (laughs) At first, I tried writing down many words and poetic expressions with a deep meaning, but I found that they were all too long to use as a title. At the time, Kevin, a member of THE BOYZ, suggested “How about going with something short and intuitive like Ed Sheeran?” As it happens, Ed Sheeran is an artist I really admire. I heard that and stopped to think, and it occurred to me that I’m someone who usually likes things to be simple and intuitive, and I’m someone who speaks honestly, without embellishing things. So I chose the first letter of my name “Jacob”, “J”, as the title, and I thought that it would be nice to continue the solo series following that same clean format in the future.
[RSK] The title track, “Slow Dancing”, has an emotional sound and poetic lyrics evoking nostalgia. Was there a particular memory or inspiration behind the lyrics?
JACOB: This song already had a beautifully finished melody line, so I focused on writing the perfect lyrics for it. While listening to the music, I thought that it would be nice to talk about a love that grows slowly but strongly by using the keywords “Slow Dancing”. As the lyrics say, it can be a romantic scene where you’re dancing while slowly matching the steps of your loved one, but there’s a deeper meaning that by not rushing and slowly getting to know each other, and by staying together not only through good times but also difficult, stormy times, love grows stronger.
[RSK] You picked Ed Sheeran, Keshi, HAIM, Men I Trust as artists who inspire you musically. What in particular about their music inspired you to build Jacob’s own style?
JACOB: To be honest, I started listening and got really into HAIM and Men I Trust about 3 or 4 months ago. Both teams have an unparalleled sound texture and peculiar mood that I found really fascinating. My producer recommended me HAIM saying “I think this will help you find Jacob’s new musical color”, and they have so many great songs that I was really inspired. I found Men I Trust by chance through the YouTube algorithm. Since I search and listen to indie music often, I think it was recommended to me, and I was drawn in by the fact that they’re from Canada like me. If you listen to the album on shuffle, it’s truly the best music to enjoy especially late at night. Since Ed Sheeran and Keshi have been on my playlist for a long time now, they were the artists with the biggest influence on the creation of my sound.
[RSK] For this album, you collaborated by having THE BOYZ Sunwoo and famous Thai rapper and singer-songwriter Wonderframe featurings in “Back & Forth” and “Promise” respectively. What quality did each artist bring to these songs?
JACOB: To be honest, since this was my first solo project, I was hoping I could have the name of one of our members in a track. I’ve particularly wanted for a long time to properly work on music together with Sunwoo. Even though we usually joke around a lot and sing together during our lives, we had never had the opportunity to work on music together in an official capacity. “Back & Forth” was a song that was added to the album at the last minute, and as soon as I had finished the first verse, I was convinced that “Sunwoo’s rap needs to go here no matter what”. So I told the producer, “We don’t need to make a new melody for the second verse, I’ll ask Sunwoo right away”, and as expected of Sunwoo, as soon as he heard my suggestion, he immediately agreed without any questions. Thanks to Sunwoo’s vivid rap, the song came alive with a much more trendy vibe. “Promise” was actually written years ago, and at the time the second verse was left empty. Then around a year ago, while listening to it again, it occurred to me that it would be nice if instead of singing it by myself, I sang it with someone else like we were having a conversation. Fortunately, I had the chance to have a meeting with Wonderframe; she has a really bright and friendly personality and said she really liked the song and readily agreed to feature on it. Later, when she sent her part all done, she had added fresh tones and ideas that I would never have thought of if I were working alone, so I was really amazed. What could’ve been a dull song became a much richer, layered track thanks to Wonderframe.
[RSK] The fans are waiting eagerly for Jacob’s new solo performance. Do you perhaps have plans to have a solo concert or world tour?
JACOB: Of course! It’s one of the things in my bucket list and a precious dream I definitely want to achieve. If possible, I hope the opportunity can come within this year. I imagine every day the moment when I will perform the tracks in this album in front of an audience. Be it a concert or a fanmeeting, I want to stand on a stage where I can look fans in the eyes, no matter where it is, with no formalities. I’ve always promised to meet as many TheBs as possible around the world, and as they may know, I’m not one to break my promises. (laughs) I’m giving everything I’ve got preparing behind the scenes to keep that promise.
[RSK] Lastly, please send a message to Rolling Stone Korea and to your fans.
JACOB: The album <j.> is made of music that I’ve been perfecting for a long time that I wanted the world to hear, like a version of myself. If the RSK readers give it a good listen and like it, I think nothing would make me happier. Also, I’d like to let you know that this is just the beginning. The music I want to make in the future and the new genres I would like to try are endless. So I hope you can be excited with me in my solo journey that will unfold moving forward. I will work toward becoming a Jacob who will never let you regret the time you spent by my side by repaying you with good music that is always filled with sincerity. Thank you!
