As a 3rd-Gen artist re-debuting into 5th-Gen, how has the K-Pop scene, in your eyes, changed over that time?

Junhee: Ever since BTS expanded the pathway for K-pop idols to enter the global market, I think K-pop has developed into another cultural pillar within the worldwide music scene. And everything has become faster, the trends, the changes in album packaging, and even the cycle of new groups forming and disbanding. Personally, the part I find most regrettable is that songs don’t seem to have as long a lifespan as they used to.

When in a group, you utilise your talents and synergy to support each other in the team. But what does Junhee at maximum solo power look like?

Junhee: Only recently did I start monitoring myself as a solo artist, and I realized so many things. Some parts still feel awkward, sides of myself I didn’t know before, and a mix of many different aspects. But one thing is certain: I see in myself the constant desire to break limits and grow. I’m truly working hard toward that. I want to become an irreplaceable artist.

If you had the chance, who would you love to collaborate with right now?

Junhee: I’d love to work with Lauv. I’ve been a long-time fan of his. His music is incredible, and I especially think his vocals and musicality are genius. He’s  also been a huge source of inspiration for me musically.

From the birth of the first idea to now: the eve of your solo debut, how long did it take for you to prepare and create everything behind the scenes?

Junhee: I think it took exactly 4 months. But during those 4 months, I did not take a single day off and immersed myself fully in producing the album. Still, it wasn’t enough time. I feel a bit of regret thinking that if I’d had just a little more time, I could have prepared so much more diverse things.

Were you expecting such a huge response to your “YOUR IDOL” and “Free” covers?

Junhee: Not at all. If I had expected that kind of reaction, I probably would’ve covered the entire KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack! But of course, that wasn’t physically possible. Just the fact that those two covers received so much love feels incredibly lucky, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who watched them.

If you were one of the SAJA BOYS from KPop Demon Hunters, who do you think suits you the most?

Junhee: I think I’d fit Jinu the best. Personally, he’s my favorite voice among them. More than that, I also think he’s such a charming character. It’s truly a well-made story.

Ahead of your mini album release in September, we’re so delighted to hear your pre-release track “Supernova”. Out of all the songs you’ve worked on, why was this particular track chosen to mark your official solo debut?

Junhee: I felt this song could appeal easily to both K-pop fans and the general public. You’ll notice the hook follows a very simple hook-song form, and musically it’s a retro disco-style pop track. Can anything be more universal than that? Another reason was that I knew fans wouldn’t expect me to debut solo with a disco track. I enjoy flipping expectations and creating sparks from those collisions. If something’s too predictable, the thrill is lost.

With your stellar acting in the “Supernova” music video, it’s no wonder you have a history in the scene. Will you be acting in any more projects in the near future?

Junhee: For now, any acting will mainly be within my own content. Lately, I’ve been finding more joy in that. It’s the process of thinking through the message, actions, and situations I want to portray, directing them myself, and creating a story that’s truly mine. That makes me approach the work with more sincerity, and I love that.

Staying on the topic of the music video, we spotted the link between the green in the female character’s styling and the kryptonite you mention in your lyrics. Does the presence of green have any additional symbolism viewers might have missed?

Junhee: That’s right. The green absinthe, the green cake, the green dress, even the hat I wear, they’re all “kryptonite” elements I directly encounter in the video. The closer I come into contact with them, the more confused and hallucinated I become while searching for the female lead. By the end, after too much exposure, the boundary between reality and dream blurs completely. I intentionally built in these devices so viewers could interpret them freely in their own way.

As an accomplished singer, it must be rare for you to come across vocal challenges you can’t breeze through. How has producing your debut mini album, The First Day & Night, challenged you as an artist?

Junhee: Every track on the album differs in genre and tempo. So with each song I practiced, I had to constantly transform myself in new ways. Preparing this album, I changed my vocal techniques and delivery a lot so I could handle a wider variety of genres. I realized that having a broad spectrum allows me to explore more musically, and that was an important growth point for me.

Can you tell us the meaning of the name, The First Day & Night?

Junhee: It’s literally about the first day and night I face as a solo artist. From morning until I fell asleep at night, I spent every day agonizing and working on this album. I filled it with songs that reflect the emotions I felt during that process, and I hope listeners can feel those emotions too.

At what time of the 24-hour day would you recommend fans to listen to your upcoming mini-album, and why?

Junhee: To answer that, I actually set each song to a specific time of day, considering the weather, the view, and the emotions. That way, the album can be listened to from morning until late at night. But honestly, there are no rules. Listen to it whenever you want to feel the music most; it’s up to your mood and preference.

If you were to meet young Junhee, at the start of his journey in A.C.E, what words of encouragement would you give him to help him grow into the artist you’ve become today?

Junhee: I’d tell him, “It’s all going to work out in the end, so don’t worry.” And I think young Junhee would probably reply with something like, “Yeah, I’m actually on my way to practice right now~” Haha.

The First Day & Night will be out in the first week of September. You can follow Junhee on Instagram.