U_Chae’s Journey Begins!

U_Chae on treating her solo debut as the chance for a reawakening

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “U_Chae is ___” or “U_Chae’s music is ___”?

I want to define U_Chae's music as "healing." I hope that many people can find energy and comfort through my music.

Did you feel like a new person once you changed your stage name? What was going through your mind when you made the decision to start a solo career as U_Chae? 

As I made my solo debut, I wanted to adopt a new mindset and have a new artist name. I was happy to be able to choose a new name.

What three words or phrases best describe the AWAKE EP? 

“A new beginning,” “Awakening as U_Chae,” [and] “A musical challenge.”

Did you always plan to make “Awake” the title track? 

To be honest, I was really torn between the songs I wrote, "Wait for You" and "Awake." I ultimately chose "Awake" because I thought it would be more suitable for connecting with fans.

What are some things people would be surprised to learn about making AWAKE and filming the title track’s music video? 

The [music video] scene where I ran barefoot in the parking lot was a decision made on set; I ended up sprinting barefoot unexpectedly. I think it added more realism to the scene.

Since this is my first solo mini-album, I really wanted to include self-composed songs, but when I tried to write, I couldn’t find any inspiration. Then, the melodies suddenly came to me, and "Wait for You" and "At That Moment" were completed in no time.

My goal is to become a singer-songwriter, and I hope this opportunity showed my potential to continue to grow as [the] musician U_Chae.

How has making solo music been similar to and different from making music as a member of a group? 

The difference is that I feel the pressure to fill an entire song with only my voice. The common factor is that my approach to music hasn’t changed.

How has specifically promoting solo music been similar to and different from what it was like as a group member?

Group promotions [had more challenges related to] choreography, whereas solo promotions have focused more on the song itself.

Who do you look up to in the music industry, and why? 

I want to become an artist who excels in many fields, like senior artist IU. She seems to have the power to move people’s hearts with her voice, and I want to learn from that.

Where can people follow you on social media to stay updated about your new music? 

I share updates through my Instagram and [the company] J_Unity’s Instagram. I’m also active on YouTube and Twitter, so I’d appreciate your interest!

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music? 

As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to provide comfort and inspiration to many people through my music, and I will continue to grow as [the] musician U_Chae!

Check out AWAKE here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photo credit: Twitter / X.