Crush: "‘Bbigdeuk’ would never have seen the light of day without IU" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Singer Crush shared his thoughts on the release of his new song “Bbigdeuk,” which he collaborated on with IU.

Crush will release his new single “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU)” at 6 p.m. on the 21st. It is his first new track in over a year and two months, following the release of his mini-album “FANG” and its title track “UP ALL NITE (Feat. SUMIN)” last August.

In particular, he has been generating excitement among fans who have been anticipating his comeback by finalizing a top-tier collaboration with IU. Ahead of his return, he also heightened anticipation for the new song by consecutively unveiling teaser content featuring various aspects of his partnership with IU.

Ahead of his comeback, he directly introduced his new single “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU),” shared his impressions of working with IU, and expressed gratitude to the fans who have supported him unwaveringly for 14 years since his debut.

◆ The following is a Q&A session with Crush.

Q. Earlier this year, you released the duet “Yin and Yang” with Zico, who appeared alongside you as a producer on Mnet’s “Show Me The Money 12.” However, releasing a new song under the name Crush is your first in over a year and two months since the mini-album “FANG” and title track “UP ALL NITE (Feat. SUMIN)” released last August. What are your thoughts on releasing the new single “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU)”?

▷ It is incredibly exciting and joyful to finally share a new song under my own name after a long time. I have spent the intervening period making various musical attempts and engaging in deep contemplation. The longer one makes music, the more often it feels difficult, but at the same time, I find myself asking what kind of music I can most confidently present to the world.

“Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU)” was born out of that period. Above all, it is truly meaningful that I was able to complete a piece of music I cherish with IU and share it with the world. As this is my first greeting in a while, I hope the song will linger in many people’s daily lives for a long time.

Q. Just like your previous releases, you personally handled the lyrics and composition for “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU).” Please introduce the song and tell us what aspects you focused on most while creating it.

▷ It is a song that playfully and wittily captures the big and small misunderstandings two different people experience while in love. The emotion of love is not always beautiful or perfect, so I wanted to express these clumsy and realistic aspects.

Since it is a male-female duet, I focused most on the harmony created by the two voices. I also spent a lot of time considering what kind of melodic lines and arrangements would best highlight each person’s musical color while blending naturally. We worked meticulously on the interplay between the two distinct voices, down to the small details of the harmonies, aiming to create a song where each individual personality remains clearly alive yet sounds even more appealing when combined.

Q. It took over a year and two months from the release of your mini-album last year to this new single. What kind of time have you spent while preparing for this release?

▷ With the previous “FANG” album, I tried hard to incorporate new aspects and musical challenges that I had not shown before. Through that process, I gained a lot, and my contemplation on what kind of music I should create next naturally deepened.

Lately, it seems just as important as finding my own sound how honestly and naturally I can translate the emotions I feel into lyrics and music. So, I spent a lot of time in the studio, repeatedly creating various pieces of music, deleting them, and starting over. “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU)” is also the result of long, painstaking effort.

Q. Your collaboration with IU has become a topic of conversation. Both of you are artists with distinct personalities. What was the occasion that led to working together, and what are your impressions?

▷ Personally, I have been a fan for a long time and always held great respect for her as an artist.

While working on it, I felt that no voice other than IU’s would suit this song better, so I made the proposal, and I was truly delighted when she accepted readily.

In fact, if it had not been for IU, this song would never have seen the light of day. We discussed the song together and had many conversations, and ultimately, it seems a song even better than imagined was completed, for which I am truly grateful.

Working together, I was deeply impressed by IU’s delicate attitude toward music and lyrics. In particular, there were moments when emotions I had not noticed while making the song alone became newly audible through her voice. I was curious about what kind of harmony two voices with different colors would create in the song, and I was even more surprised that they blended so well. It was a very precious piece of work that will remain in my memory for a long time.

Q. You also filmed various content together, including the music video and live clips. Is there an episode from filming together that you would like to share with fans?

▷ First of all, I thought, “IU is not just a great actress for no reason.” (Laughter)

I saw her carefully consider everything from the character’s emotional arc to the overall flow of the music video and the details of every single scene.

In particular, her focus and immersion during filming were truly impressive. Watching from the side, I felt there was so much for me to learn.

Actually, I got quite nervous while filming, but thanks to IU’s skillful and comfortable guidance, I was able to gradually relax and immerse myself naturally. It is my music video, yet I think I relied on her more than she did on me. (Laughter)

Q. What points would you like fans to pay attention to when enjoying this song and the music video?

▷ In this music video, IU appears as a figure symbolizing the sadness that resides within my inner self.

As the story unfolds, one gradually confronts emotions they had wanted to avoid, and ultimately realizes that even that sadness is one aspect of who I am, finding comfort in it. I thought that perhaps comfort does not begin with completely erasing sadness, but with accepting that emotion as part of oneself.

To express this flow of emotions more delicately, we made extensive use of theatrical direction and symbolic scenes. I believe it is a music video that is sad yet nostalgic, lonely yet leaves a warm aftertaste in some way. I hope viewers will recall their own memories and emotions and find their own comfort.

Q. Your recent appearance on Epik High’s YouTube broadcast featured a phone call with your mother, which has become a topic of conversation. Viewers have reacted with amusement, saying things like “You are so girl-crush” and “She is incredibly boisterous.” Does your mother know about these reactions, and what kind of son is Crush to his mother?

▷ My mother has always been a very cheerful and energetic person. The way she appeared on YouTube is not much different from her usual self. (Laughter)

To me, my mother is my most reliable supporter and simultaneously the one who gives me the most honest evaluations. No matter how much I act under the name Crush outside, in front of my mother, I am just Heo Hyung-seop, a son who requires a lot of care. (Laughter)

Q. You have now reached your 14th year since debut. At a fan meeting held last September, you told fans, “You are the greatest harvest and dream of my life.” What kind of singer do you want to be remembered as by your fans?

▷ Time seems to fly by so fast. It still feels hard to believe that 14 years have already passed.

Looking back, I have received far more love than I ever dreamed of when I started making music, and in the process, I met many wonderful people. In particular, fans are not only those who love my music but also the driving force that allows me to keep creating it. When I said at the fan meeting, “You are the greatest harvest and dream of my life,” it carried the same meaning.

Rather than grandiose titles, I want to be a musician who leaves meaningful songs in someone’s life. If my song comes to mind on happy days, lonely days, or even after a very long time has passed, I could not ask for anything more.

Q. There are only about two months left in this year. Could you give us a hint about your activity plans for the remaining period?

▷ First of all, since it is a new song released after a long time, I want to communicate with many people through “Bbigdeuk (Feat. IU).” I prepared this song diligently, so please give it much love.

I have spent this year busily creating various music and making new attempts. Through that process, I have accumulated music and stories that I think I will be able to share one by one in the future. I am preparing a new album and various projects, so please look forward to them.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original