EXO’s Baekhyun Shares Insights Into His Latest Album, Befriending Artists, And Mindset For Music Promotions

Sep 11, 2024

EXO’s Baekhyun recently appeared in Elle Korea magazine with a stunning pictorial!

Following the photo shoot, Baekhyun discussed his latest album.

Baekhyun recently released his first solo album in three and a half years, titled “Hello, World.” When asked about the album’s title, he said, “It feels like I’m debuting again. In a way, this album signals that I’m still here. The title ‘Hello, World’ is both a new greeting and a statement of my ambition to show more of who I am. There were moments when my judgment on the album felt unclear due to the long preparation time, but I’m excited for everyone to hear it.”

Regarding the title track “Pineapple Slice,” Baekhyun said, “I loved it as soon as I heard the opening bass line. Songs are getting shorter these days, and no matter how good a song is, it needs to grab the listener’s attention immediately. In that sense, ‘Pineapple Slice’ hooked me from the start. The bass felt like it was pounding on my heart. The melody progression was great. I usually use my mid-range voice rather than thin or high-pitched tones, and I felt my voice would blend well with the song.”

On the effort put into selecting the title track and shaping the album, Baekhyun said, “I wanted this album to feel like a step forward from my previous ones, adding a touch of ‘real sophistication.’ It’s more about the feeling than a concrete expression, which made it challenging to fully communicate and achieve with the producing team. I also wanted to show new sides of myself that I haven’t revealed before. For the first time, I tried ‘singing rap.’ There’s still so much more I want to do. I wanted to present myself not just as a vocalist but as someone who can take on even more.”

When asked why he chose the familiar genre of R&B, Baekhyun said, “R&B is the genre I want to keep exploring throughout my music career. I really love it, and I want to experiment with everything within that genre. R&B has such a wide range—it can branch into hip hop, jazz, and more. I want to keep pushing the boundaries and explore all the different paths R&B can take me down.”

Regarding which track took him furthest out of his comfort zone, Baekhyun said, “It’s probably ‘Cold Heart,’ where I tried ‘singing rap’ for the first time. Finding my own rap tone was really challenging since I had never rapped before. My voice is so used to singing techniques that capturing the cool tone I wanted for rapping was tough. But from the moment I heard the track, I wanted to take on the challenge. If done well, it could be the perfect song to change the mood during a live performance. Working on it was a mix of fear and ambition.”

When asked which track best showcases his vocal skills and artistry, Baekhyun said, “It’s ‘Rendez-Vous.’ This song has a delicate feel, as if it could break with the slightest touch, making you want to protect it. Yet, it has a strong sense of determination. Even though it seems fragile on the surface, there’s a certain intensity in the expression. The song doesn’t require a high-pitched voice but exudes confidence and presence. I’d say it’s the pinnacle of my sly vocal style.”

Regarding his mindset for the “Hello, World” promotions, Baekhyun said, “I want to be approachable to both fans and fellow artists. These days, music shows often feature challenge segments, and since I don’t expect many juniors to visit my dressing room, I joked with the staff about bringing a Rummikub game. I want to come across as more friendly—‘I’m just Baekhyun.’”