ROSÉ, “The Song Came to Me Like Destiny… BLACKPINK·BLINK’s Support Cheers Me Up”
[매일경제 스타투데이=박세연 기자] “You’ll see ROSÉ’s different side, even the part where I sound like I’m rapping(laughter)”.
The main vocalist of BLACKPINK, the ‘Global Girl Group’ and ‘YouTube Queens’, will release her first-ever solo single album and make debut as a solo artist.
On March 12 at noon, a global press conference was held to celebrate the release of ROSÉ’s solo single album ‘R’. ROSÉ’s solo debut will be the second from the team following JENNIE, which happened in 5 years after the group has made debut back in 2016.
When asked about how she felt on making her solo debut, ROSÉ replied, “I’m nervous since it’s my first time and I’ve prepared for a long time. I’m also excited that I can finally present what I’ve been preparing”. She continued, “I thank BLINK for waiting on me for so long, and hope they enjoy it”.
The title of the album, the alphabet ‘R’, has a simple yet special meaning. ROSÉ explained, “I used the first letter of my name, R, to symbolize my first beginning as a solo artist”. She added, “Rather than the alphabet R defining me, I hope they think of the alphabet R when they see me”.
Regarding the music she wanted to put on her album, ROSÉ stated, “I wanted to put in my true self because it is the first time introducing myself to the public”.
ROSÉ stated, “I’ve had time to look back at myself while preparing for the album, and thought I’m a person who heals and learns through music”.
For ROSÉ’s first-ever single album, YG The Black Label’s representative producers TEDDY and 24, who have worked on all of BLACKPINK’s mega-hits since debut, collaborated with Jorgen Odegard, one of Justin Bieber’s producers, along with Amy Allen, who have helped produce songs by Harry Styles and Halsey.
Regarding the album preparation process, ROSÉ stated, “Since the fans have waited for such a long time, I wanted to prepare a satisfying album. I tried to participate in the detailed process from the beginning. You will see from the album design which contains a lot of my opinions and a song I’ve participated in writing the lyrics for the first time”.
The title track ‘On The Ground’ is a song which states that ‘Although I’ve come this far aiming for a higher place, the most important value is within myself’. On the question asking if there’s a memorable line, ROSÉ introduced, “I’ve worked hard every day throughout my entire life to go higher. But what I really needed was in the lowest place”.
ROSÉ stated, “The reason why it was memorable was because it simply matched my life” and added, “I’ve lived everyday towards my dream since I was a trainee and asked myself what my motive was, and the lyrics expressed my thoughts. I felt that there is something to learn”.
Along with the title track, ‘Gone’ which was previewed through BLACKPINK’s livestream concert ‘THE SHOW’ on January also received attention.
What was the reason she chose those 2 tracks among many candidates. ROSÉ explained, “There are songs that come to you like destiny when you record songs. I recorded ‘Gone’ for the first time 2 years ago, and I still remember that moment. I listened to it a lot and told TEDDY that it was so good. I wanted to share with everyone as soon as possible”.
Regarding the title track, she introduced, “I chose two songs because the song was good. It came to me like destiny without thinking too much”.
What grabs the people’s attention is that the two tracks are all written in English. ROSÉ stated, “I feel that there are languages that fit certain tracks. I’ve thought a lot about what language would raise the title track’s level of completion, and English went well the most. I was concerned that the fans may be disappointed, but I thought it’s more important to present a satisfying track with a high level of completion”.
She also stated that there were differences in working on her solo album from her group album. ROSÉ explained, “The members shared the work I have to do together, so I had more burden and responsibility, which made me feel their absence. What I’ve learned while preparing for this album is that I’ve learned a lot while working as BLACKPINK”.
ROSÉ continued, “I’ve thought how precious it was to grow and learn together, and how special our members are to me”.
What meaning will this album have on ROSÉ. She stated, “Please look at this album as my first step as a solo artist, introducing myself as the way I am”.
She also added, “I’ve learned a lot, felt empathy, and was consoled while preparing this album. I hope the listeners would feel the same. I especially hope BLINK will like the songs”.
She also hoped for the well-being of her fans, who she cannot meet due to the prolonged situation regarding the COVID19. ROSÉ stated, “I’m frustrated that I can’t meet my fans in person, and I imagine many will be going through hard times. I hope this situation ends and I will meet my fans in the near future. Stay healthy and cheer up”.
ROSÉ’s ‘R’ will be released today at 2 PM, while physical copies will be released offline on the 16th. She is expected to set milestones as her album has already received over 400 thousand pre-orders.
2021. 3. 12.
