Whereas a few of historical past’s best artists have a definite search for followers to recall immediately, many musical greats are shape-shifting chameleons, discovering completely different seems to be, kinds and eras all through their careers.
TEN falls strictly within the latter class, with the Thailand-born K-pop star utilizing his songs and music movies to precise the completely different inventive ideas, characters, and, at occasions, confusion inside his thoughts.
Extra from Billboard
After attempting out shouty punk-pop with “Paint Me Bare,” festival-ready EDM on “New Heroes,” and the hypnotic “Dream in a Dream” with fusions of conventional East-Asian devices, TEN has paired sultry R&B sound with vigorous group choreography. His new single “Birthday” dropped as a part of the NCT LAB venture below Okay-pop super-label SM Leisure to highlight the completely different members in its ever-expanding NCT boy-band venture that at the moment boasts 23 members.
Whereas TEN has already confirmed his famous person standing as part of teams like WayV and NCT U, in addition to one in every of seven members in SM’s Okay-pop supergroup SuperM that hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, TEN refuses to sit down comfortably as an artist.
“I get bored simply and the viewers will become bored with me doing the identical factor,” the singer says throughout a Zoom name from Seoul. “So I preserve discovering what sort of stuff I haven’t finished but.”
Wrapped in a flannel shirt for this giggly Billboard interview, TEN’s bubbly warmness strays removed from the seductive, slithering soloist rocking chains and veils all through the “Birthday” video. Whilst TEN speaks with a lightness, there’s compelling duality in his seriousness in accepting who he’s whereas concurrently desirous to degree up in his work. Even when the star admits he’s misplaced inspiration, there’s nonetheless a guiding drive pushing TEN into new, inventive areas.
Learn extra from TEN on all of the vocal, thematic and dance parts behind “Birthday” and what else is on the way in which.
Billboard: Congratulations on the brand new tune. “Birthday” is your fourth solo single, what’s the distinction this time in comparison with previous releases?
TEN: This tune has no reference to my previous singles or no matter you see in “Paint Me Bare” or “New Hero.” They’re completely different in style, model, make-up, and choreography. Even the usage of my vocals modified. I’m probably not fascinated by doing the identical factor over once more, like this deep and robust vocal that’s on the identical time very smooth. If you happen to hearken to the verses, I’m utilizing a decrease register after which a excessive falsetto on the refrain. I need to present the distinction between robust and smooth.
I’m glad you introduced that up as a result of it was an amazing vocal efficiency and one thing we haven’t heard from you earlier than. Was it a problem or did you understand how to method it?
I did discover recording the vocals very difficult as a result of R&B is completely different, you already know? “Paint Me Bare” is a pop tune so that you simply hit the melody, which is less complicated than R&B as a result of if you sing R&B you could have that delay and draw issues out. At first, I used to be singing it just like “Birthday,” however I believed, “This isn’t how I would like it to sound.” So, we re-recorded after I listened to extra R&B songs to see how they experience the rhythm. And I used to be attempting too onerous at first, however the subsequent session was simply chill; I simply felt the lyrics, listened, and laid again.
There are various NCT members and a number of SM Leisure artists, however it looks like we will all the time sit up for a TEN single every year. Do these alternatives come since you all the time attempt to present one thing new?
I preserve discovering new ideas by watching films, tattoo photos from Instagram, different artists’ photoshoots, style exhibits. If you happen to see luxurious manufacturers’ style exhibits, they’ve their very own idea and every year it modifications. I’m into that. I’ll say, “Okay, I like this type of stuff so let me preserve it to myself, take a look at different stuff and blend it collectively.”
Do you save a number of issues on Instagram?
I take a number of screenshots on my telephone! I used to be even watching an animation lately and was like, “Okay, I like this idea, let me do it like this man right here, then let me use this shade as an outfit…”
How a lot of your inspirations got here out in “Birthday”?
I used to be very fortunate right now with all of the those who assist me make “Birthday.” They actually requested for my opinions, “What sort of stuff do you need to signify? How do you need to specific your self?” I selected all 4 outfits. There’s the go well with as a result of I need to present a mature facet of me. One other one had the chain on my chest, a vital look; I would like one look that may be very horny. The opposite one is an outfit the place I put on a hat and there’s a black sheet protecting my face. It’s a conventional, flowy type of outfit as a result of I don’t need to solely present mature sides.
I wished to indicate the fluid facet of me too. It was very onerous to seek out a number of references at the moment, it took me every week to seek out every little thing that I wished, however I despatched it to my stylist and video directing crew. They simply say, “Okay, allow us to determine every little thing out for you.” We had a number of speaking occurring throughout the making.
Inform me in regards to the choreography.
This one is especially by my buddies Bada Lee and Jrick [Baek]. They actually helped make my imaginative and prescient come to life. I instructed them how there are a number of Okay-pop teams on the market with choreography that has a signature transfer. However for this one, I didn’t need it to be like that, I wished it to be like paintings. I would like followers to see little sparkles within the choreography and say, “Oh, I like that second.”
Do you’ve a favourite second all through the entire video?
Effectively, the primary verse may be very difficult for me. You possibly can see the total choreography within the dance video and within the first verse there are such a lot of B-boy-like strikes. I obtained bruises throughout my physique, it’s very onerous. However what was finest about that’s that I used to be working with my dancer buddies on strikes I can’t do alone. We’re all in touch as they pull me up, I kick out, there’s like a wave—it’s not simply me doing the work however we’re all linked as a crew.
Like “Birthday” or “Paint Me Bare,” your songs are assured of their parts of sexuality. It’s not raunchy however very free and open. How do you put together your mindset in these sorts of performances?
Wow, properly, I don’t actually take into consideration that a lot. It’s like, “Okay, I need to put on these garments.” It’s simply me. That is my physique and that is how I need to specific it. Carrying too many garments typically in dancing can block your physique line. I don’t need to really feel like I’m not assured with my physique so I used to be like, “Let’s simply do it.” That’s why I don’t actually do health or attempt to construct muscle for sure garments. I’m skinny in order that’s simply me. I don’t must construct it as much as impress another person.
You need to present your pure self.
Sure, however possibly slightly train for my stomach fats. [Laughs] Just a bit!
Oh, come on! Don’t fear about that. It sounds that you just’ve discovered confidence in your individual physique which is nice as a result of many battle with that.
It’s like, everybody has a allure, however I’m nonetheless attempting to discover ways to use mine. I additionally take into consideration being seductive, proper? In music movies, you’ll be able to attempt every little thing—you’ll be able to’t actually do this in actual life however there’s no proper and incorrect within the music video. It’s simply, “Let’s attempt.”
It’s your alternative to attempt issues as a result of everybody is aware of TEN’s persona as very bubbly. However on stage, you turn out to be very completely different.
Thanks. It simply speaks to a distinct character of myself and the precise time for me to precise myself. I can’t do it at any time.
You talked about you don’t need to be too coated up when dancing. I used to be questioning in regards to the hat and veil look. Was it troublesome to grasp that look?
The veil was not the issue, however the hat stored falling off whereas dancing. I needed to repair my hat on a regular basis, however it’s enjoyable to bop with a hat like that. I felt like I’m a thriller man and nobody is aware of me.
Outfits will help individuals to really feel extra assured. A distinct outfit helps you signify your self and your persona otherwise. It helped me turn out to be that character. Each outfit has its personal purpose that I select it, and I like each outfit, however this time the hat outfit is what I actually loved carrying. It actually helped me embrace the idea. “Birthday” has a really robust drum and bass sound, however that outfit type of helped to melt it down and turn out to be a bit extra mysterious.
After “Birthday,” followers have been saying they need a full album from you. Would that be one thing you’d be fascinated by?
Sure, I might. I really like working as a crew, however I additionally need to do my solo stuff as a result of you’ll be able to put in your ideas and persona. Regardless that I typically didn’t write my tune, I can try the demos and say, “Okay. I need to do this or attempt that.” And if you learn the lyrics, it’s like appearing. You’re attempting to vary your self for that tune as you’re employed on it. It’s like, a tune may be very groovy or hip-hop or—can I say swag?—swag.
I can merely work on the tune course of and it’s going to be a number of enjoyable. As a gaggle it’s additionally enjoyable, however it’s completely different. As a crew, you set within the aspect of your self however you’re nonetheless attempting to be in movement together with your crew. Each are enjoyable for me to work so I’ve to do each.
Talking of your groups, do you’ve any teasers about what’s coming with WayV and NCT?
Proper now, WayV is getting ready for his or her new comeback. And I can’t spoil something about NCT but. If I spoiled it, Mark will ship me a textual content, “Hyung! Bro. What did you simply say?!”
We are able to’t have Mark upset with us. However as we glance to the top of the yr, are there any methods you need individuals to recollect you in 2022?
Proper now, I’m simply specializing in myself. To be sincere, I don’t know what occurred to me however I would like extra motivation proper now. I must encourage myself. After I filmed “Birthday,” I misplaced observe of one thing that I don’t even know so I’m type of figuring that out. I need to enhance myself in singing and dancing so I can get to do extra distinctive ideas and higher songs when it comes to a distinct style.
If I don’t follow for that, it’s going to be more durable for me to do completely different sorts of stuff. So, that’s my objective for this yr to enhance myself and determine stuff that I’d been fascinated by these days. The method for “Birthday” helped me to focus once more and be extra inventive with my work. It was like a gasoline that helped preserve my engine shifting.
That’s very sincere. Many struggled with motivation throughout the pandemic, for instance. Are you aware what occurred? Or do you’ve recommendation on how you can recover from the hump?
I feel everybody has that second in life. So, I don’t actually give it some thought that a lot, I simply must determine it out. I don’t know what it’s and I don’t know if I’d be capable of give useful recommendation to those that could be feeling down as a result of realistically everybody has their very own issues or confusion that solely they’ll relate to.
However for me, I sit down, breathe slowly and discuss to myself by asking myself questions as a way to break down the scenario into small fractions and higher perceive. That does assist me determine issues out more often than not! Typically I’ve these moments however it’s taking place to me, like, now. So, let me determine it out after which I can let you know subsequent time.
