Yeonjun, the 26-year-old K-pop sensation and member of boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT), is taking a bold step in his career with the release of his debut solo EP, No Labels: Part One. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter via a late-night Zoom call from Seoul, he emphasised that his focus is on the music he loves rather than meeting external expectations.
“Rather than trying to meet everyone’s expectations, I just try to focus on making music that I truly love and believe in,” Yeonjun said.
Since debuting in 2019 as the oldest member of TXT under BigHit Music, Yeonjun and his bandmates have evolved from bright-eyed teenagers to young men in their early and mid-twenties. Alongside this growth, the group’s sound has matured, yet there remains plenty of musical territory to explore. For Yeonjun, this exploration culminates in No Labels, a six-track EP that traverses multiple genres and showcases his artistic freedom.
“No Labels holds personal meaning for me,” he explained. “It’s about spreading my wings sonically. I wasn’t trying to tell a larger narrative; it’s just about expressing myself. The album is a risk, but I think it pays off. It’s both catchy and impressive.”
Embracing a New Direction
Reflecting on why now was the right moment for a solo debut, Yeonjun shared, “I’ve always wanted to share my stories and my music. After releasing my first mixtape, Ggum, I became confident about putting my music out there. I knew I had to do this, so I jumped in immediately.”
Regarding the musical direction of the EP, he added, “I wouldn’t say it was intentional to break away from the group’s style. But as this is my solo album, I wanted to capture 100 percent of my story and style, and that’s why the album turned out the way it did.”
Creative Control and Self-Expression
Yeonjun was heavily involved in writing lyrics and composing several tracks. “I could simply perform a song written for me, but it’s more rewarding to write, compose, and tell the story myself. This process allowed me to discover who I truly am. It was a journey of self-expression,” he said.
The EP also challenged Yeonjun in new ways. “Physically, it was exhausting,” he admitted. “I had to write lyrics, work on composition and choreography, confirm the choreography, and participate in direction. I didn’t have much personal time, but looking back, the entire process was fun. It felt like another chapter of youth for me.”
Innovative Music Video Approach
Yeonjun took a fresh approach with the music video, combining three tracks—“Coma,” “Let Me Tell You,” and “Talk to You”—into a single visual project. “I wanted to try something different and new. It wasn’t about telling a narrative but finding the right performance and imagery that fit the story. It became an omnibus-style video, focusing on visuals rather than narrative,” he explained.
On working on the lead single, Talk to You, he noted, “Not all songs are autobiographical. I imagined a character and told a story through their perspective. I drew from things I’ve heard, seen, or experienced. It was more of an imaginative project than a personal diary.”
Yeonjun’s debut EP marks a significant step in his artistic journey, demonstrating a commitment to creative freedom and self-expression. By prioritising his own vision over external expectations, he aims to present a body of work that is authentically him.