As the days become shorter and sunny weather becomes rare, JOY is reviving summer vibes with her solo mini-album, ‘From JOY, with Love’.
The South Korean artist and actress gained recognition as a member of the prominent K-pop girl group Red Velvet. Now, JOY embarks on a new journey with her debut mini-album. Titled ‘From JOY, with Love’, the project initially felt “overwhelming” for the K-pop star, but as it developed in her mind, it provided an opportunity for her to “explore different facets of herself.” The final product is a diverse and expansive collection that shares stories of longing and self-expression, aiming to convey the “purest form of love.”
In addition to consistently working on her solo mini-album, JOY recently performed at London’s 02 Arena to commemorate SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary, joining big names in the industry such as aespa, NCT 127, NCT Dream, Hyoyeon of Girl's Generation, TVXQ, and many others.
During this highly anticipated event, the legendary group TVXQ performed Red Velvet’s 2019 hit ‘Psycho’, which JOY referred to as an “unforgettable memory” because they are her “all-time favorite seniors.”
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Congratulations on the release of your first mini-album, ‘From JOY, With Love’. What has your experience been regarding fan reactions so far?
Initially, the thought of releasing an album that truly reflected my heart felt uncertain and somewhat overwhelming. However, with the support of those I am grateful for, it came to fruition, and these days, I only feel gratitude. I am genuinely thankful and happy for all the love this album has received. Knowing that people appreciate something we put so much effort into means a lot to me, and it has inspired me to continue moving forward with even greater passion.
What message did you wish to convey with ‘From JOY, With Love’?
With this album, I aimed to genuinely reflect on what I wanted to communicate. This involved repeatedly questioning myself and looking within. Through that journey, I recognized the significance and value of love—particularly the love that helped me overcome challenges. Just as I was able to rise again thanks to those I cherish, I wanted to infuse my own love into this album as a means of expressing the gratitude I've held in my heart.
What inspired the concept for the mini-album and why did it feel like the perfect choice?
The concept for this mini-album drew inspiration from the innocence of a youthful first love on a sunny day and the heartfelt sentiment of a handwritten letter. I wanted to capture the purest, most authentic expression of love with this project. Since this album represents the beginning of many stories I hope to tell in the future, the phrase often found at the conclusion of letters, ‘with Love,’ felt like an ideal way to express both the sincerity of the message and the warmth I intended to convey. Thus, it became the title of the album.
What does your ideal summer day look like?
For me, a perfect summer day evokes images of a sea sparkling in mint hues, young people dressed beautifully in their distinct styles, skin lightly touched by the sun, and the bright smiles exchanged when gazing into one another’s eyes.
You wrote ‘Get Up and Dance’; what excited you about this track and its style?
When my mind feels burdened with numerous thoughts, the lively rhythm and melody of this track softly assure me, ‘It’s okay.’ From my very first listen, I envisioned two people irresistibly drawn to each other, falling into passionate love. Writing the lyrics was particularly enjoyable as I could visualize the moments like scenes from a romantic novel, and I aimed to incorporate not only excitement but also a hint of captivating tension.
I focused on ensuring the verses resembled vivid snapshots from a story, while allowing the rhymes to flow naturally. Above all, what I find most exhilarating is the rhythm that hits hard right from the beginning—it instantly captivates.
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The mini-album features a variety of sounds and elements. Did you aim to showcase your versatility as an artist with this project, and did you find the process challenging?
From the start, I had a clear vision of the story I wanted to present, so developing the concept itself wasn’t overly challenging. However, the more complex task was crafting that story in a way that others could genuinely feel and connect with while also ensuring my personality shone through in both the music and visuals.
Within the theme of illustrating the purest form of love, I endeavored to give each track its distinct variation while maintaining a consistent message. Ultimately, I believe this album reveals my brightest and most refreshing colors, and through my expression of love, I sincerely hope it can provide listeners with hope and solace.
How does working on solo projects positively influence your collaboration with Red Velvet? Do you feel a surge of
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As the days become shorter and sunny days are scarce, JOY is reviving the summer spirit with her solo mini-album, 'From JOY, with Love.'