'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
VAHN made his debut in 2022 as a member of the K-pop group NINE.i, dropping their mini-album NEW WORLD under FirstOne Entertainment. Before his debut, he participated in the MBC survival show Under Nineteen in 2018, where he ranked 10th in the vocal team. A star on the rise, VAHN began charting new waters as an independent artist in 2024.
July 20 marked his solo debut with the love-struck single Crush On You, leading to more solo music releases capturing his individual artistic trajectory, while he continues to actively promote as a NINE.i member.
After Crush On You, VAHN launched his seven-track EP Come&Go including songs and instrumentals on September 14, an autobiographical single called I swear on October 9, and the latest break-up anthem, Goodbye, on November 11. All three releases have resonated with his fans worldwide and the all-English title track Feeling (feat. BLKZEN) from Come&Go has garnered over 130K YouTube views.
Trending
In the solo field, VAHN has collaborated with a roster of talents from home and abroad. These include his NINE.i co-member Joohyung, South Korean singer Taeb2, indie pop artist Lina Cooper, and hip-hop/rap/pop musician BLKZEN, among others.
Apart from his own music, the idol has lent his creative talents to arranging, composing, and penning songs for various K-pop artists, including WHIB, Golden Child, iKON, ATBO, and Xydo. Early on in his career, the 25-year-old rapper-singer showcased his composing skills with NINE.i's debut mini album.
In a recent interview with Sportskeeda's Sreejita Karmakar, VAHN discussed his solo career thus far, while reflecting on his music journey and his evolving creative vision. Here's what he had to say.
"I try to be more artistic and less public-conscious"—NINE.i's VAHN on his journey as an independent artist, fan love, and future aspirations
Q) Hello, VAHN! Thank you for joining us today. Could you please start with sharing more about your recent releases Come&Go, I swear, and your latest single Goodbye? What is your favorite release out of these?
VAHN: Hello, it’s an honor to be here today! About my favorite release, I would pick Come&Go. I care about all the songs, but it's my first album work, so I'm more affectionate. Actually, the title song of Come&Go, Feeling, is a song that I made two years ago. It was going to be sold as a song by a famous kpop singer, but I saved it because I wanted to sing it. No regrets lol.
Q) 2024 has been a big year for your artistic journey. You not only made your solo debut in July with Crush On You, but you have also released three other solo works since then including singles and an EP. How far do you believe you have come since July and how do you feel about your progress?
VAHN: In fact, 2024 has been a very challenging year for me. I don't have a label, and I had to do everything on my own. That's why I've been able to feel freer. I've released quite a few songs since July, but I think I've done this and that freely, rather than just solidifying my color as an artist. What I've felt coming out into the world as a solo artist is that I've been able to learn a lot about my attitude toward music and about myself.
Q) Fans have been highly praising your work and celebrating the recent comebacks on social media. Are you someone who likes to check reviews left by fans on these platforms? What are your thoughts regarding the love your projects have received?
VAHN: Yes I love to check reviews by my fans. It's rewarding to know how they think and feel, and I feel that people can think differently like this. Thank you so much for the love the project received, and I feel so proud of the person who loves my music. I also always thank the fans because my goal was to become someone else's dream or muse.
Q) Since these music releases carry a sense of love, heartbreak, and separation, could you talk about what draws you to these themes? Do you find it easy or hard to convey feelings through your songwriting?
VAHN: I usually make songs from what I see, hear, and feel in person. Few people may feel the same way, but I wanted to make music that everyone sympathizes with and is like a friend. I think it's a really good artist to be able to fully convey my feelings. It's a difficult homework, but I think I'm constantly improving.
Q) You have mentioned being influenced by industry veterans like BIGBANG's G-Dragon, having given a sweet shoutout to him in your track Goodbye. How do you balance your own unique sound with the inspirations you draw from other musicians?
VAHN: I think my inspiration comes from the musicians I listened to when I was young. There's a huge difference between listening to music back then and now. When I was young, I was more emotional and direct with music than I am now. I think I just need to focus on myself like I loved musicians. Then, I think it comes out naturally. My music comes between my desire to be cool like them and my life.
Q) You are currently a member of NINE.i and at the same time, making solo music. How different is it to be working with an idol group and as a soloist? Were there any challenges you may have faced in your solo journey?
VAHN: If I work as a member of a group, I can focus more on art because I don't have to pay attention for something on my own. As a solo, I can do a variety of music that I want to do, but it's hard that I have to pay attention to everything. There are pros and cons, but both are definitely enjoyable.
Q) For your mini album Come&Go, you collaborated with several artists, including your NINE.i co-member Joohyoung and international talents like Lina Cooper and BLKZEN, among others. How did these team-ups come about and what was the overall experience of working with these people like?
VAHN: Joo Hyoung is a friend who made music with me, so there are a lot of demos we made together. And I contacted the feature artists individually after I listened to the music on Spotify. Blkzen had the voice I was looking for and Lina made the song Sweet! more feels like teen pop. Alina had the soulful voice and a vocal technique. I love all the artists who collaborated with me.
Q) Your song I swear featuring Taeb2 carries an autobiographical tone. Could you share the story behind this song? What message do you hope resonates most with your listeners?
VAHN: It's usually hard for us to be certain when we dream, because the world that we experience before we reach our goals is usually difficult. In this process, we get tested all the time. We get endless questions about, "Do you love this job?" And I wanted to tell myself, and I wanted to tell a lot of people that you're not wrong, that you're going to make it someday.
Q) While researching, I came across your Instagram post where you mentioned several TMI moments from the filming of Goodbye. Seemingly a lot was done with spontaneous planning and creative improvisations. Could you share some more fun anecdotes behind the filming and making of Come&Go and I swear?
VAHN: I'm a pretty spontaneous person. I believe there's creativity and ideas that can only come from the moment of improvisation. That's why I usually only draw big pictures and shoot. This is a little sad story, but I lost my car key while shooting Come&Go, so I once searched for it for 2 hours.
This was a mistake because I was in a hurry to shoot, and the picture came out well, but the thought of losing my key made me feel really dizzy. Sometimes, I felt that planning was very important.
Q) You mentioned wanting to explore themes other than love for your future comebacks. As 2025 is fast-approaching, can fans expect to see this new era of VAHN soon? Do you have any key goals for the time being as a soloist?
VAHN: First of all, I want to create an album that is full of my own colors and with as little external intervention as possible. I'm going to do my best to make 25 years a time for me to solidify my color as an artist. I try to be more artistic and less public-conscious.
Q) What do you do when you are not busy making music? Have you taken up any new hobbies?
VAHN: I usually watch cartoons and play games like boys. I usually like water, so I've been swimming recently, but it's pretty hard. Recently, I went on a trip abroad with Joohyoung. I also like traveling, so I'm going to go there alone next time.
Q) Before we conclude, is there a message you would like to share with your fans and supporters?
VAHN: Thank you for always giving me so much love and attention. I think we can get closer because of you who listen to my songs.
With VAHN’s journey as a soloist taking off, fans can’t wait to see what’s next for him.
