[Exclusive Interview] COiBLEN Delves into the Emotional Depths of [InTheRoom]

1 month ago 11

COiBLEN shares the creative journey behind his latest EP, [InTheRoom], and how he’s carving a path as a solo artist.

COiBLEN, a gifted singer-songwriter and former main vocalist of the boy group CROSS GENE, has embarked on a promising solo career since his debut on January 29, 2019, with the heartfelt track “Winter Rain.” His transition from a group member to a solo artist has allowed him to explore his musical identity more deeply. Over the years, COiBLEN has released a series of digital singles, including “Space Out” and “Ego,” showcasing his evolving artistry and personal style. His ability to convey emotion through music resonates with listeners, making each release a unique experience. His recent works, including the first EP, ‘Color,’ in March 2024 and the second EP, [InTheRoom], on September 9, 2024, reflect his dedication to creating music that captures a wide range of feelings and experiences.

Known for his exceptional songwriting skills, COiBLEN has been actively involved in producing and writing much of his work, further solidifying his position as a multifaceted artist. His songs often feature introspective lyrics and captivating melodies, allowing him to connect with his audience on a personal level. As he continues to grow and experiment with his sound, COiBLEN is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the K-Pop industry.

In this exclusive interview, COiBLEN shares insights into his latest EP, [InTheRoom], his creative process, and what inspires him as an artist, offering fans an exclusive glimpse into his world.

Hellokpop: Welcome, COiBLEN! For those who might not be familiar with your journey, could you introduce yourself?

COiBLEN: Hello, this is COiBLEN. First, I would like to explain the meaning behind the stage name COiBLEN! It’s a combination of “Coy,” representing both innocence and sensuality, “i,” which stands for COiBLEN’s identity, and “Blend,” which means to bring together. By combining these three words, it means conveying COiBLEN’s musical purity, sexiness, and identity to the public through music.

Please look forward to COiBLEN’s music in the future.

HKP: Congratulations on the release of your second mini album, [InTheRoom]! What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from [InTheRoom] after they’ve listened to the whole album?

COiBLEN: Thank you for your congratulations. First of all, [InTheRoom] is an album that captures my own real-life experiences and hardships. Rather than trying to convey a specific message through the album, I focused on expressing the emotions I felt and the things I wanted to share. I created this album like a diary, so that one day I can look back on it casually, saying, “That’s how it was back then.” If any of the listeners have their own stories to share, I hope they can find their own way to record and share them, not necessarily through music, and feel free to let it all out like I did.

HKP: What was the inspiration behind [InTheRoom]? Was there a specific concept or theme that guided you throughout the creation of this album?

COiBLEN: About a year ago, I moved into a space that was meant to be entirely for myself. However, as my space—where I should have felt the most comfortable—started to feel unfamiliar and lonely, I began preparing to release [InTheRoom]. Through the tracklist of this album, I tried to express the progression of my emotions in order, which I will briefly explain below:

Track 1: The beginning of creating the [InTheRoom] album

Track 2: Anger toward the things that made my life difficult before the move

Track 3: Avoidance due to the lack of strength to face and overcome everything

Track 4: Wishing that all of this was just a dream, leading to a sense of resignation

HKP: How does this album reflect your growth and evolution since your first mini-album, ‘Color?’ What new elements can fans expect?

COiBLEN: In ‘Color,’ I aimed to express my various charms and coolness through different genres of music that I hadn’t tried before. In [InTheRoom], however, I focused more on expressing the honest emotions I felt. I will continue to work hard to grow through diverse expressions and changes so that fans can listen to my songs and connect with me on a deeper level.

HKP: Can you describe your creative process for [InTheRoom]? Were there any moments during the production that particularly stood out to you?

COiBLEN: To be honest, the production process for this album took longer than I expected. Initially, the goal was to release it around June or July of this year, but there were parts that I personally felt weren’t quite right, so I ended up reworking the entire album. That decision stands out the most in my memory.

Since this album is based on my real-life experiences, I made sure to clearly define its theme before starting the work. However, I noticed that the result felt a bit more glamorous than sincere, which left me with some regrets. So, even though it caused some delays, I decided to go back to the beginning and work on it with more authenticity to achieve a better level of completeness.

HKP: Is there a specific song on [InTheRoom] that you feel particularly proud of? What makes it stand out to you?

COiBLEN: Overall, I’m happy with the entire album, but if I had to point out something a little different, it would be the third track, ‘InEvation.’ It feels special because it’s quite different from my usual style. While working on it, I tried to keep the recording as simple and straightforward as possible, experimenting with a different rhythm and making the melody as clean as I could. It’s a track where I made a lot of new attempts.

HKP: You’ve released music both as Seyoung and now as COiBLEN. How has your artistic journey evolved with this new stage name? Do you feel there’s a distinct difference in your sound or style?

COiBLEN: Using a stage name has helped me clarify what I want to express, but I feel like I’m still in the process of finding my own style. I’ll keep working hard by creating and releasing more songs, aiming to develop a distinct style and sound that’s truly my own.

HKP: You’ve been part of the K-pop scene for quite some time. How did your experience in a K-Pop group influence your solo career?

COiBLEN: I’ve been influenced by every aspect—whether it’s on stage, behind the scenes, the preparation process, or the staff members who are on this journey with me. Being able to recognize and understand all these elements from the beginning has been a great help.

But above all, the unwavering support and love from the fans have been the biggest source of strength and inspiration. I often think that if it weren’t for the fans who take the time to notice and find me, it might have been difficult to continue creating music like this.

I’m truly grateful to be able to say this here. Thank you, everyone! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

HKP: How do you determine whether a song fits as part of an album project versus being a standalone single?

COiBLEN: I usually set a theme or direction before starting a song, but sometimes while working, I realize that a particular piece might be more suitable as a single rather than part of the album. If it deviates from the album’s theme or story, I often exclude it from the project. However, this situation is quite rare; when I feel a song isn’t fitting, I tend to just delete it (laughs).

HKP: Having released OSTs, singles, and mini albums over the years, how does the creative process differ when you’re working on a full project like [InTheRoom] compared to individual singles?

COiBLEN: In the past, I mainly participated in vocal performance, but now I’m involved in every aspect of the process from start to finish. This is a significant change for me.

HKP: Since your debut as a soloist with “Winter Rain,” you’ve been consistently exploring your sound. Where do you see your musical journey heading after [InTheRoom]?

COiBLEN: To be honest, I’m not entirely sure either. Every time I work on a project, I encounter many different elements and face various dilemmas, and it feels like there’s no definitive answer.

While what I like is important, I want to keep moving forward to create songs that listeners feel are worth revisiting and want to listen to again and again.

HKP: What’s next for COiBLEN? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or performances that your fans can look forward to?

COiBLEN: First of all, I will be holding a live performance titled [InTheRoom] in Korea on Saturday, October 26th. After the concert, I also have some songs ready to be released as singles, and I’m steadily building up more material.

I hope that everything I prepare can help alleviate even a little bit of the boredom in your daily lives.

HKP: Lastly, please leave a message to your fans.

COiBLEN: Thank you so much for your unwavering support and love! I will work even harder to become an artist who can repay the immense encouragement and affection you show me.

Let’s stay together for a long time—wishing you all happiness always! Thank you!