Singer Eun Ji-Won goes it alone

Eun Ji-Won, 24, formerly of the popular group Sechkie, has struck out on his own. After leaving the band in May last year, Eun spent 10 months in relative seclusion. Eun looks thinner but his passion for music is unabated. He spoke about his new found maturity during an interview in Namdaemun, Seoul.

Now you are alone. How do you feel with just you and the ``back-dancers`` on stage?

- In the past, I just had to do my part and felt comfortable with the other members, but now I sometimes find it hard singing and rapping alone. I have made some mistakes on stage, but I am starting to feel more comfortable on my own. I want people to have more respect for my music than they had for the music I made with Sechkie. I made an effort to study my craft.

Introduce your first album.

- I take pride in the fact that I made the music on the album myself. I put my personal stamp on the trip-hop songs and ballads.

You wrote songs like `Harpy`, `1, 2, 3`, `U & Me,` and `Beautiful Times`. But why did you choose `Murmur` as the title song?

- At first, I tried to. But people around advised not to (laugh). They said it would be better to inform the populace of their favorite genre.

I heard you like `1, 2, 3` the best.

- `1, 2, 3` is my favorite song. It deals with the social issues of drugs, teenage prostitution and Internet suicide Web sites. Also, it includes some graphic language, so I`m worried that the broadcast inquiry commission won`t pass it for broadcast. I made the decision to include the language, so I`ll take responsibility if the commission won`t allow the song to be played.

What were the main challenges in making your solo album?

- I directed all aspects of the album`s production, thought about it a lot, and suffered a lot of hardships. It was really hard to reject a popular writer`s song, which I didn`t like.

Outline the differences between now and when you were in Sechkie?

- When I was in Sechkie, I tried to sing upbeat songs with positive messages for teenagers. Now I`m in my mid 20s, and I`m trying to sing in my own more mature style. Also, I have a different view of society.

Hwang Tae-Hun beetlez@donga.com