Hyolyn has opened up about the personal change behind her fourth mini album, OriginaLyn, revealing that the project helped her let go of the worries and pressure that had followed her for years.
The release marks her first physical album in four years. Although she continued releasing digital singles during that period, Hyolyn said she refused to rush a full album simply to end the long gap.
Because she operates her own one-person agency, finding enough time to spend months creating music was difficult.
Hyolyn explained, “I did not want to release something carelessly just because I lacked time. If I was going to release an album, I wanted to prepare it properly without being pushed by the situation. I think now happened to be the right time.”
Rather than feeling nervous about returning with a physical release, the singer said she is approaching the comeback with excitement. That change came partly from the message carried by the new music.
She shared, “The message of this song gave me great comfort. It does not simply say, ‘You did well.’ It tells me, ‘You are already doing well enough, and you can be more confident and proud.’”
As Hyolyn recorded the music, practiced the choreography, filmed the music video, and repeatedly listened to the songs, she felt her confidence gradually return.
She said, “I felt as though I was being filled up inside, and I became grateful to the song. As I filled myself with positive feelings and filtered out negative thoughts, the excitement became much stronger.”
Hyolyn is widely known for her powerful performances and confident image, but she admitted that her personality away from the stage is more reserved.
She explained, “My confidence fully appears only when I perform. At other times, it is not completely charged. I wanted to regain that confidence and praise myself more, and while preparing this album, I finally began complimenting myself.”
The singer also reflected on her 16-year career and the pressure she once felt to present a different image as music trends continued to change.
Hyolyn said, “I sometimes focused on looking different as a singer in my 16th year, but now I do not want to deny who Hyolyn is anymore. I want to accept myself and naturally show the most honest and genuine version of who I am.”
She revealed that her past anxiety often caused her to worry about situations that had not happened. Even schedules connected to the work she loved sometimes became sources of stress.
Hyolyn recalled, “I love standing on stage, but before schedules that should have made me happy, the worry and pressure would grow and consume my emotions. Thoughts such as, ‘What if I become sick on the first day of filming the music video?’ were holding me back.”
Her approach changed while preparing OriginaLyn. Instead of allowing those fears to control the process, she began distancing herself from thoughts that caused unnecessary pressure.
She said, “I wondered why I could not enjoy something I loved and why I continued making myself suffer. I decided that I needed to change, so I started by avoiding the thoughts that had been hurting me.”
With that new mindset, Hyolyn said the entire comeback process has felt different.
She confidently added, “Every schedule related to this album has been fun.”
OriginaLyn will be released on online music platforms on July 22 at 6 PM KST.
