K-pop stars are making waves around the world, and Korean pop music has grown bigger than ever. Artists are now focusing on global fans, aiming for success in markets like the U.S. Billboard charts. Many K-pop stars have made it to the Billboard 'Hot 100,' showing just how powerful K-pop has become.
The genre has expanded beyond idol music to include hip-hop, ballads, rock, and more, with artists exploring new styles and breaking out of traditional molds.
Female solo artists have especially seen big changes. While in the past they often focused on 'sexy' concepts, they now showcase both performance skills and strong vocals. As 2024 begins, we’re spotlighting these solo artists who continue to push forward in the competitive music industry.
Lee Chaeyeon, who was active with IZ*ONE, now feels like a senior when she goes to music show recordings.
She shared, "With so many new artists coming up, it feels like time is flying by. Even though I’ve been active for seven years, I haven't had much chance to show my solo side. It feels good to be in my third year," and laughed, "I was born in 2000, but being around people born in the '90s, I sometimes feel older. I even call them 'kids,' even though they’re my age."
What challenges has Lee Chaeyeon faced in her solo career? She talked about her unique style, saying, "I wanted to be known for my own color, not just compared to others. I knew it wouldn’t be easy from the start. I studied how other solo artists, including my IZ*ONE members, did their solo debuts."
She added, "Going from a group to solo felt like starting over. It was scary, and I was nervous even on stages where I wasn’t before. I had to build everything up again from scratch."
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