Creastar: April Issue | JPN → KOR: 슈슈 | KOR → ENG: Sunshiniel
What kind of concept did you go with?
This album is part of a three-part “breakup” series. “Love Affair…” is the first in the series. Of course, each song on the track list has a “breakup” concept, and I tried various different singing styles to express different kinds of sadness from quiet sobbing to open misery. I plan on releasing the second and third parts of the series after promotions for Teen Top’s March comeback finish.
You wrote some of your own songs for this album, right?
I wrote the 5th track “Signal” and the 7th track “Disappear.” All of the songs on the album are “breakup” songs, but out of the whole track list, “Signal” is about the most tragic kind of breaking up. On a rainy night, the girlfriend gets into a car accident, the guy runs as fast as he can through the rain, but in the end she goes to heaven. I was imagining the man crying as he suffers from loneliness and regret. I really tried to express a man deep in the depths of despair as I was singing it…
For “Disappear,” I was thinking about a guy in an empty room, surrounded by nothing but his own loneliness, after a breakup. In a room with all the lights out, he thinks about her, horrified by the idea that he’s become absolutely nothing to her — I think you can feel the sadness when you listen to it.
You released a dance version of your music video recently. Your style of dancing always feels cool and powerful. When the song ends, and you’re breathing heavily as the image disappears, it looks really good.
I was breathing like that because I really needed to. Even before the comeback, during my dance lessons for “Love Affair” I had to breathe like that — so, trying to sing while I’m dancing this choreography is really hard. But, I wanted to seem cool on stage — if at all possible — so I never lip synced; I always sang live, even while I was dancing. I trained for that by practicing my breathing techniques and singing on the treadmill. Whether it’s just for practice, or if it’s for a real performance, my feet always feel like they’re on fire after doing this song. When it’s that intense, of course my breath speeds up. I’m breathing really, really hard.
I think you’re going to have a comeback in March with Teen Top, how are preparations for that going?
All the members are working really hard on it. I can’t tell you exactly what sort of concept we’re going to come back with yet, but I can tell you that the song will be really catchy and addictive. Please look forward to Teen Top’s comeback and support us when the new album comes out.
You said that after Teen Top’s promotions, you’re going to release the last two parts to your “breakup” series. Why are you sticking with this “breakup” theme?
The character of my voice and the way I express emotion fit better with a breakup theme, rather than with love songs. Besides, I think breakup songs resonate more deeply with people, so I’m preparing a whole breakup series.
So, this album’s theme is “breakup.” Niel, have you ever experienced an unforgettable breakup?
In real life, I haven’t experienced a breakup like that.
When one door closes, another door opens. You may not have a memorable breakup, but do you have a first meeting that sticks in your mind?
It’s not a first meeting, but I recently heard from one of my middle school friends for the first time in years. After a really long time, I got to hear about what’s going on with our old classmates, and talk about old memories, and the time really flew. So, I don’t really have a first meeting that sticks in my mind, but meeting up with an old friend that I missed really left a deep impression on me.
What did the other Teen Top members have to say about your album?
As soon as I finished the album, the first thing I did was play it for the other members. When Chunji listened to the song, he cheered me on, saying, “It’s got a good feel, you’ve got this!” Everyone supported my solo activities.
During your showcase and press conference, you said that Shinhwa’s Andy complimented you, and that you wanted to say thank you next time you saw him. Has that happened yet? How did it go?
I’m really always thankful to him. Every time I see him he always compliments and encourages me. I think he’s been monitoring me really closely. Since my promotions are overlapping with Shinhwa’s, we see each other a lot at broadcasting stations. I was even able to say happy birthday to Andy on his birthday. Ricky and I went to see him and Shinhwa with a cake, and we all sang Happy Birthday to him. Seems like some kind of destiny that I always see Shinhwa during my solo activities.
What’s keeping you most busy these days? Composing?
Definitely. Same goes for the other members; when we have time we research lyric writing and music composition and make songs. And, when we only have a little time, we play Pokemon Go~ (he laughs)
New Year’s has passed, and we’ve begun another year. What do you think will be popular this year?
Pokemon Go is still really popular, right? I also think Teen Top’s music will be even more popular in 2017! And of course, my music too! From now on I want to show an even cooler performance and even better music with this “breakup” series. I want to show everyone that Niel never stops growing.
Finally, please leave a message for your fans.
From now on, I think I want to work even harder to become someone who isn’t afraid of criticism, and to show a cooler side of myself for everyone who loved “Love Affair” and for everyone who’s supported me. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement you gave me through all of my solo activities. I’ll see you again soon with the rest of Teen Top. I hope you can continue to do an amazing job supporting all of us, like you have for me!
DISCLAIMER: This interview has been translated to English based on a Japanese to Korean translation by 슈슈. This is not the full interview, and some details may have been altered in the process. Please do not repost without credit to Sunshiniel.
To the employees of TOP Media—including my boss, Taeshin-noona, Mingyung-noona, Andy-hyung, and Yoonsung-hyung—who all made this album possible, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Changuk-hyung, Yong-hyung, Hansol-hyung, thank you for dancing with me!
Really, this album came out well thanks to the help of so many people.
Again, sincerely, thank you so much.
And, to my lovely members, I love you so so much~~! ♥ thank you for everything~!
And, my dad and mom and my brothers, who I don’t get to see very often!! I’m sorry I don’t get to see you that often!! I love you!!
Finally, to my Angels, thank you and thank you again, let’s be together forever.
I love you a lot~~^^!!♥
We sincerely appreciate the love and support that Angels have shown for ‘LOVE AFFAIR…’ and Niel.
Niel’s ‘Love Affair’ music show performances will wrap up this week, with his final performance on Inkigayo. Detailed information on how to attend will be uploaded at a later date.
Even after promotions end, Niel will continue to meet Angels through regional fansignings, so please continue to show interest in Niel. We also hope you’ll look forward to Teen Top’s new album — and corresponding activities — which is currently in the works and will be released in March.
Once again, we are sincerely grateful for the love Angels have shown to Niel’s album ‘LOVE AFFAIR…’ and the title track ‘Love Affair.’
