Jeon Somi Talks About ‘Ice Cream’ and Artistic Confidence: ‘Now I Know What I Want’

At the end of Jeon Somi’s set at KCON LA 2024, the 23-year-old seemed eager to start a rare act of K-pop rebellion.

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but I’m going to do it anyway,” he said to thousands of fans at the Crypto.com Arena in a frenzy. “I thought for a long time whether I should do this or not. I don’t know, this is just my personality: I’ll be back soon!” he went on to say that his next single “summer, party” was on the way and led the party crowd to respond to a mocking finale.

With a press release quickly confirming the release of the new “Ice Cream” for August 2nd from THEBLACKLABEL (his record company that boasts K-pop legends like BIGBANG’s Taeyang and BLACKPINK’s Rosè on the roster), the preview of the Somi game may be cleverly combined. media time but ultimately speaking to control, vision, and comfort Somi has spent ten years working in the increasingly international K-pop scene.

“It’s a very bright song: it’s ice cream, it’s summer, it has a real vibe and the power of harmony,” he says of the latest track, which was initially considered a single -‘ and, at some point, a collaboration – in mid-2021 to help launch his first solo album in the fall. But the real tea: ‘Ice Cream’ was when I was preparing ‘Dumb Dumb’ and ‘XOXO.’ I was greedy. I really wanted to do all three songs, but with health, I couldn’t fit the schedule, so we dropped ‘Ice Cream’ and didn’t do it… but I always thought that one day it would come. good, even if it’s just me.”

“Ice Cream” in English, “Ice Cream” features the magical performance of legendary Korean-American producer and founder of THEBLACKLABEL Teddy (who has been behind the songs of BIGANG, Sunmi, 2NE1 and BLACKPINK, including the recent “Ice Cream” by Selena Gomez) as well as Canadian production group Banx & Ranx, and lyrics by British pop stars Elle Eyre and Ed Drewett (both of whom have Top 10 hits). hits in the UK as singers and songwriters). The accompanying music videos star the peroxide-blonde Somi in the middle of a glittering, glittering, summery scene with lots of extras and dancers, as well as special appearances by the performances of Korea and Hollywood actor Park Seojun.

The mix of cultures that make up Somi’s “Ice Cream” can also show Somi’s unique position in Korean music.

Jeon Somi (neé Ennik Somi Douma) was born in Ontario, Canada, to a Korean mother and a Canadian father of European descent, moving to Seoul, South Korea with her family as an infant. The future star went to school with other international students but has been open about the discrimination she faced in Korea with features such as her light hair that made her different from other children.

“I’m Canadian, so in Korea, I would always try to go with black hair because I didn’t want to look like a foreigner,” Somi reflects on a recent trip to New York. “Being blonde was always my one fear. It’s a very tricky line… so I never thought I’d be blonde, but during the ‘Dumb Dumb’ era, I was like, ‘F-ck it. I’m just going to do what I want to do. It’s a bold statement, let’s do it.’ But we just went for it – and I haven’t looked back since.”

A career-defining visual moment in the release of “Dumb Dumb” (and possibly “Ice Cream”), Somi sees it as another step in her journey to further education, income, and independence. added to his work.

“I’ve been writing music ever since I came to THEBLACKLABEL,” he says nonchalantly. But I’ve only released a few [self-written songs] because I have to get confirmation from my producers. I had songs like [2019’s] ‘Out of My Head’ and ‘Watermelon’ [from 2021]but last year I had ‘Pisces,’ ‘Gold Gold Gold,’ and ‘Fxxked Up’ which really depended on my writing so it feels different because it feels like they finally know me musically mine. I’m just so close to my producers that I feel uncomfortable with my family being ‘professional’ with me, but this time they were very welcoming. They said, ‘Oh, everything is good; I think we should put all your songs on this album.’ That was very different. During ‘XOXO’ and ‘Dumb Dumb’, I was in a different situation: I was confident and ready to show what I like. As an artist, now I know what I want to show. ”

In fact, his companion for August 2023, “Fast Forward,” which is composed as a tribute to fashion culture, was inspired by his goals as an actor and travel inspirations from exploring the world of fashion to forward.

“It took us a while to understand the concept and what we want to express and express,” Somi explains in his unexpected undertone that comes through when describing his musical visions. “I showed up a lot. I also went to my first fashion show in Milan, and after that, everything came together in my head about how to make a project and how I should do it do it – make an appearance, dance and everything that just happened. I’ve always wanted to do that kind of concept with dancers for something hard and weird but simple. That’s right, no effort. ”

The past two years have marked a big change from how his K-pop career began. In 2015, she was first introduced as a survivalist competing for a spot in the nine-member girl group TWICE. A year later, she came out again to win the most votes among 101 K-pop hopefuls to join IOI’s 11th temporary girl group.

“If you’re in a girl group, you don’t really have a chance to write and you don’t have one know that you have the power to write,” he says about his past experiences. “You just do what they give you, wear what they give you; you have no choice. And I didn’t think that was weird or anything – it was just the system. But now, I work on every project and I have a voice for everything. ”

Somi adds that the popular but “bare soap” was attractive to a top producer like Teddy after he launched THEBLACKLABEL in 2015. Since Somi joined, the company has has grown to represent a wide range of artists, including artists, actors, models, and soon its first girl group. Somi is touchingly proud of how she has seen the label grow.

He says: “I don’t want to be a cock, but I see the ‘power of Somi’ in that.” “Because I advertise a lot. I really like our company and my producers. We are a small circle and everything is very “inner circle”. My followers keep saying, ‘Stop promoting your company. You’re like A&R.’ I can’t stop. I love them.”

In a loving and artistically fulfilling space, Jeon Somi has grown up before the eyes of K-pop fans but is now thriving with a newfound, but well-deserved confidence, as with the artist fully immersed. Read on with Somi on her latest international tour as well as exclusive photos from her visit to the Empire State Building in New York.

Jeff Benjamin: You’ve led a lot of involvement in your music. Do you read comments or reviews?

Jeon Somi: I watch a lot of emotional videos. I think everybody loved “Fast Forward” and that’s not easy, you know? But after seeing all the comments, I was very happy and satisfied. I watch my entertainment but also out of curiosity because I’m always open to opinions – and some people don’t have good opinions sometimes – but I take it as their kind opinion. I try to take in all the views, I watch everything.

Benjamin: Speaking of watching videos, I’ve seen you along with fake videos of “you” singing another artist’s songs. It looked like you did it with fun, but what are your thoughts on AI-generated music?

Finns: Honestly, it’s amazing. But then again, I sound better, that’s why I wanted to sing in person to beat the AI, actually. Like, “Yeah, you lost it – this is a better version!” It’s interesting and fun, but I hope it ends on a happy note. I hope they don’t get better because that’s scary. When we love an artist and are waiting for their album or new music, AI things like this can ruin the vibe. Hearing their vocals on other songs gives the audience something more right now, and I don’t think that’s good for the artists or the fans. At one point, fans could be satisfied with just an AI cover, but I don’t think it’s fair to the artist or the players.

Benjamin: I’ve always felt that Jeon Somi is the butterfly of K-pop. Are you the type of person who reaches out or people hit you?

Finns: Yes, many people call me that. I think I’m usually the one reaching out. And I don’t feel bad if they say no because of their schedule – I’m like, ‘Okay, I’ll ask you another time.’ I’m fine with this and I think that’s why they don’t feel the pressure to say “No” to me very often. I have been in this industry for eight years so I know everyone. I don’t know the “new fourth generation,” but I know a few. I know a lot of oldies, old groups from like 2 or 2.5 Generation – but I’m also considered one of the “oldies” and I’m like 23!

Benjamin: Can anyone wonder if you are friends with K-pop artists?

Finns: I think people were really surprised when they found out that I know BTS. People went crazy about that; they are very good. Amazing guys.

Benjamin: So, what’s next?

Finns: The company doesn’t know this yet, but it’s something I want to try for my next release. There is something I remember that I haven’t shared with my people, but after sharing it, I think it might live on. But last year was the first time in New York, where Somi started to be promoted internationally, so I would like to look ahead, which countries I can visit next, and my next song that I am I’m picturing it in my head right now.