Before Hyolyn became K-pop's official 'summer queen,' before debuting as part of girl group SISTAR and before the stage name, there was a teenager in awe of Destiny's Child. Those sounds shocked her even back then, she said during an interview with The Korea Times at a quiet cafe in Seoul's Seongdong District on Thursday. Artists she loved back then and still listens to now include Destiny's Child, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney, Missy Elliott. Even without seeking them out, old songs were always on her playlist.
'I wanted to bring back that feeling,' Hyolyn explained, describing the inspiration behind her fourth mini album 'OriginaLyn.' Slated for release at 6 p.m. Wednesday, the seven-track set arrives through ReH Entertainment, the singer's self-founded agency. Its title fuses 'original' with 'Lyn,' and the mission statement is in the wordplay — this is not a reinvention but a restoration.
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'As a soloist, I've worked across a lot of genres,' Hyolyn said. 'Before, I projected my character onto whatever concept the music required. But for 'OriginaLyn,' I wanted to strip away all that and get back to who I was at the beginning.' This marks her first mini album since 'iCE' in July 2022, and her first physical release in four years.
Record-Breaking Numbers
The mission statement of 'OriginaLyn' is clear: a restoration of Hyolyn's original sound. The singer has been working tirelessly to create an album that not only showcases her growth as an artist but also pays homage to the era that inspired her. With seven tracks, including lead single 'Shut Up' and title track 'Lost in the Moment,'
Hyolyn has undoubtedly made a name for herself in the K-pop industry with her versatility and genre-bending style. However, with 'OriginaLyn,' she is taking a bold step back to her roots.
