Niel, a member of the popular K-pop group Teen Top, is set to make a striking comeback with his new mini-album 'SHE', marking his return after two and a half years. The album, which drops on the 22nd, showcases a new side of Niel with its emotionally charged tracks.
The title track 'SHE' is characterized by its groovy rhythm and soulful guitar, perfectly complementing Niel's deep vocals. The song's melody, which balances restraint with explosive expression, enhances its poignant atmosphere.
Niel recently met with the press at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, to discuss his new album. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, "I'm pleased with how it turned out as I intended." However, he also shared his concerns about how fans and the public will receive his new image, stating, "I wanted to show a new side of myself, but I couldn't ignore the fans who have supported my previous image."
This album marks Niel's first release under his own label, EL&D Entertainment, which he established in March. Driven by a desire for creative freedom, Niel explained, "I wanted to be 100% involved in the album-making process. In previous projects, I had to coordinate with the company, but now I can fully express my vision."
Niel was involved in every aspect of the album's production, from concept planning to final approvals. He admitted, "The preparation process was not easy. There was much more to do than I anticipated." He shared that he had to personally oversee every detail, from the paper quality to the final concept.
Niel informed his Teen Top bandmates about his solo venture after making significant progress. He shared, "I told them after I had everything prepared, and they were very supportive. Ricky even joked about joining my label in the future." Niel dreams of bringing all his bandmates into his company, highlighting their strong bond.
Reflecting on his relationship with his bandmates, Niel described them as 'brothers'. He reminisced, "We fought a lot when we were younger, but those fights helped us grow closer, like real siblings."
Teen Top's 2011 hit 'No More Perfume on You' recently resurfaced online, sparking discussions. Niel commented, "It's nice to be talked about, but the lyrics are a bit embarrassing." He explained that at the time of recording, the members were too young to fully grasp the song's meaning.
Niel, who was only 16 when the song was released, recalled, "We thought it was a song that appealed to older fans. It wasn't until later performances that we truly understood its implications." Despite the initial embarrassment, he expressed fondness for the track.
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, Teen Top is considering a full group comeback once member Changjo completes his military service in May. Niel expressed excitement about the possibility, noting the recent activities of other groups from their era.
All Teen Top members, except for Changjo who is currently serving in the military, have heard Niel's new song. Niel shared that Ricky, who is also in the musical '6 O'Clock Off', praised the track and encouraged him.
Addressing his military service status, Niel clarified, "I was exempted from service after being reclassified due to a long wait." He compared his situation to actor Na In-woo, who faced a similar reclassification.
As both a singer and a label head, Niel humorously remarked, "I hope we don't run at a loss, so we can prepare for the next album." He expressed his determination to continue working hard.
The new album 'SHE' includes six tracks: 'SHE', 'Sapé', 'The Meaning Within Love', 'If you're the ocean', 'What's the Excuse for Love?', and an instrumental version of 'SHE'.
Niel's fourth mini-album 'SHE' and its music video will be released at 6 PM today.