Now a rock star, not just a balladeer... Kwon Jin-ah "From Gymnasium to Coachella"[Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Kwon Jin-ah announced a new beginning as a rock star, marking her 10th anniversary since debut.

On the 15th at 3 p.m., Kwon Jin-ah held a comeback album showcase at NOL Theater's Dongyang Life Hall in Hapjeong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Later that day at 6 p.m., she released her third EP 'SAVE ME' through major online music platforms.

'SAVE ME' is an album drawing attention for Kwon Jin-ah's genre transformation. For the first time, she challenges the rock genre, delivering a fresh shock to music fans after years of earning widespread love with her emotive voice and delicate sensibility. Through full-track rock-based production in her career debut, Kwon Jin-ah translated themes of injury and self-loathing into rock sound.

The title track 'MONSTER' is a rock number carrying an encouraging message to shake off the self-loathing rooted in one's heart and save oneself. With an overwhelming group-singing section reminiscent of midsummer festival stages, it delivers a thrilling sense of liberation to listeners.

'SAVE ME' includes five tracks: 'WHO CAN CHANGE', used as background music for trailers; 'MONSTER'; 'Rain on me', which was pre-released on June 23 and received a hot response; '87days'; and 'Don't Save Me'. The album showcases Kwon Jin-ah's expanded musical spectrum.

Kwon Jin-ah plans to take the stage at the '2026 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival with KB Kookmin Card', showcasing overwhelming live sound starting from this album release.

On this day, Kwon Jin-ah said, "I was very nervous, but I felt grateful for this moment. It's been since my debut showcase that I performed on stage, and it felt like a live performance." She added, "I had used rock sound in just one or two tracks before, but this time I filled the entire album to convey comfort and empathy through deep inner stories."

Regarding her comeback with a rock sound album, Kwon Jin-ah stated, "I had musical ambitions, and I believe no genre can match rock's atmosphere. It was about bringing out what lies within me. Since it wasn't heavy metal but pop sounds infused with rock elements, I didn't consider it a challenge." She continued, "The phrase 'love yourself' never really resonated with me. I wanted to offer comfort by saying 'go for tomorrow,' and through self-loathing, I aimed to draw out deeper healing."

Kwon Jin-ah remarked, "Today is my first stage as a rock star," adding, "I'm also eagerly waiting for the Pentaport Rock Festival." She further expressed, "Through this album, as an ordinary 28-year-old woman living in this era, I want to comfort those with similar struggles by saying 'I am here too.'"

Especially, when mentioning her self-loathing message, Kwon Jin-ah said, "Because I disliked my appearance and body type, I dieted for that reason. I suffered from body dysmorphia, anorexia, and bulimia, so I expressed this in the music video." She added, "I couldn't be free about loving a pretty body shape, and I wanted to convey a message on this issue."

She continued, "The phrase 'It's okay, you can do it' has never once resonated with me. Whenever I take an MBTI test, the result is always T," noting that she tends to comfort others by saying, "I was like that too."

Meanwhile, regarding her 10th debut anniversary, Kwon Jin-ah said, "It seems there's more I need to do than what I've already done. I'd like to release an R&B album since I love it, an acoustic album with a calm heart, and even a remake album." She added, "I don't expect sales results. I wanted to show my own world. I haven't been to Coachella yet, which was mentioned as a goal. Entering the Gymnasium is my first target, and I think I need a hit song for that."

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*This content was translated by AI.