Photo = BELIFT LAB

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] Solo artist EVAN has revealed his most honest self through his 1st mini album.

 

EVAN held a showcase for the release of his 1st mini album ‘DEATH OF ME’ at Kyung Hee University’s Grand Peace Palace on the 7th and talked about the new album. It was not a place for a flashy debut story, but one where he faced his inner self exactly as it is. Asked to describe this album in one word, EVAN answered, “mirror.”

 

“It really gave me the feeling of facing myself. There is fear about the future, but at the same time, there are honest and firm stories about wanting to move forward and achieve more things. I think this album reflects my thoughts and inner self exactly as they are, so I think the expression ‘mirror’ fits.”

 

The process of making that mirror was not easy. EVAN worked by writing directly in the lyric notebook he usually carries with him, staying up all night for a week as he chose each word one by one. The title track had an initial draft, but he completely overturned the lyrics and wrote them again. There was one thing he considered most important throughout the album.

 

“It was about containing stories that came from my sincere inner self. I think that was the most important element for me, and in the process of making that happen, many staff members helped me a lot, so I am grateful that it ultimately became a good album.”

 

Photo = BELIFT LAB

 

Regarding the process of transitioning into a solo artist, he was cautious, saying, “Because so many people are involved in this matter, I ask for your understanding that it is difficult for me to answer on my own.” However, he faced fans’ disappointment and concerns head-on. It was an attitude of facing what had to be faced and protecting what had to be protected.

 

“First, I would like to express my great gratitude for the many voices of interest and affection directed toward me. The process of standing on my own was decided after deep discussions, but even so, I deeply understand the disappointment and words of concern from fans. As EVAN, I think the greatest way I can repay that is by answering through music and sincere actions going forward. I will work hard to become an artist who continues to show more wonderful and positive influence. I also heard that fans sent protest emails and various concerns to reporters. I would like to sincerely apologize for causing any disruption to your work in that regard.”

 

There was one word EVAN repeatedly brought up throughout the Q&A. It was none other than “hope.” “I think my most important calling is to give people the strength to overcome difficult situations through my music.” “I included lyrics in every B-side track that allow listeners to feel even a single ray of hope.” He also said that his motto as artist EVAN is “to give people hope through music.” Why he repeated this word so often became clear at the showcase.

 

Ahead of this album’s release, EVAN revealed for the first time in an interview with a magazine that he had battled childhood cancer when he was young. At the showcase, he explained the reason behind this confession.

 

“Because this is an album that contains my inner self, I wanted to naturally share all of my stories. In the process of explaining this album, I think I naturally came to confess a moment that had a major impact on my thoughts and values. In fact, the treatment process for childhood cancer is extremely harsh and painful. I think it would be a lie to say that the process of receiving that treatment did not affect who I am today. In the end, I would be grateful if you could understand it as a moment that I needed to go through in order to show my inner self exactly as it is. There must be many people across the country who are suffering from childhood cancer. If my story reaches them through this opportunity, I would like to share a small message of comfort and hope.”

 

The weight of the word “hope,” which had appeared repeatedly, now read differently. When he said, “Because I realized from a very young age that hope is important, that message was reflected,” it was not simply an artist’s philosophy, but words drawn from a crossroads of survival. The album title ‘DEATH OF ME’ is in the same context. EVAN explained it by quoting the famous line from the manga <One Piece>: “When do you think people die? It is when they are forgotten by people.” He said, “For me, when my music no longer reaches people as an artist, I think the meaning of my existence disappears. So this is a strong resolution I expressed in order to make sure that does not happen.” It became clear that the reason he used the word death as the album title was, paradoxically, his most desperate will to live.

 

His goals for his activities are also an extension of that. “My big goal is to stand on bigger and more stages. If I show my performances in more places, people will become interested, then become interested in my story, and eventually listen to my album. If that happens, I think I will be able to deliver my ultimate message well.” His logic was that the wider the stage becomes, the more people hope can reach.

 

EVAN’s 1st mini album ‘DEATH OF ME’ will be released today (7th) at 6 PM. Attention is focused on how many people this album, which reveals his most honest inner self, will reach.

 

grace@hanteo.com

 

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