ZION.T
On Monday, December 4, KSTATION TV has the opportunity to meet the famous singer ZION. T of THE BLACK LABEL, during a round interview.
ZION. T is a solo artist who made his debut 12 years ago and presents today, Wednesday 6, a third album called «ZIP». It is with a mainly R&B style that the singer tells us several stories throughout his songs. The artist is not limited to R&B, since he has already tried jazz, soft pop, ballads and even more danced songs over his long career. He also collaborated with other big names, such as PSY on the title «Remember you».
It is with great sincerity that the singer begins by saying that his album is not perfect, but that he represents him, the ZION. T of 12 years of career. He expresses his thanks, because thanks to the people around him, the journalists, and the fans, he has managed to make music so far, and hopes to continue on this momentum. Specifically, this album consists of 10 tracks: « How to use », « Unlove », « 모르는 사람 », « 내가 좋아하는 것들 », « V », « Not for sale », « 투명인간 », « 불 꺼진 방 안에서 », « 돌고래 », « 해피엔딩 ». ZION. T participated in the writing and composition of the entire album.
The interview takes place behind closed doors in a studio house with only 14 journalists. The artist presents himself in all sobriety, sitting on a chair with a screen to present his work. He expresses again his joy and thanks for this comeback, being an album expected by many people. He says he will do his best to answer reporters’ questions, and begins by representing the album with a key image: a doorknob, as if to invite fans and other curious people to open the door and discover his universe. Without more ceremony, he unveils the clip of «Unlove», once the door is open, giving rise to a refined and minimalist world in a world bordering on futurism. The clip tells a tumultuous love story between ZION. T and his partner, and the inevitable break, break that is accompanied by fireworks, and artificial tears.
The artist takes up the thread of the interview, and tells us about this clip, which represents what is the first love and the tormented feelings that accompany this love. The reason he decided to talk about this theme is represented through the curious objects present in the clip, like artificial baby tears, because people can not or no longer cry at the end of a relationship. He wondered at length about how the clip should personify his song, and the point of view of tears and his partner. Love being a complex feeling, he sought to represent this complexity in this clip, via original shots or staging, for example business dinners where he thinks only of the break that seems not avoidable, and appears to materialize in the restaurant menu.
He then talks again about the long break since his previous album, for five years. He claims not to have stood idly by during this absence, but to have been very busy on the contrary, the hardest for him was not to write and compose songs, but to find an album title adapted for this comeback. The term “zip” came to mind, as a file that was just waiting to be opened—also represented by the door—to reveal its files—the songs. To continue this momentum, a medley is broadcast, so that ZION. T tells us more about the tracks. To emphasize the futuristic side that remains very subtle, the artist speaks of a new world, and the nostalgic sadness that inspired him to write this song.
“«How to use» represents the introduction of the album, and indicates how to listen to it, and especially the title song «Unlove». ” – ZION.T
“모르는 사람”, which can be translated as “someone unknown”, talks about anyone, be it a relative, a friend, a family member or a complete stranger, and is dedicated to people who feel lonely. The rhythm is more engaging, and begins with the word «alone». «내가 좋아하는 것들», in collaboration with BENNY BENACK III, an American artist recognized in the Billboard charts. It was thanks to a mutual friend that ZION. T was able to collaborate with him, and define this song by the keyword «dopamine». «V» is also a collaboration, with the Korean duo AKMU is part of the musical genre Shibuya-Kei, a genre he had always dreamed of experimenting with. The V represents the gesture that many people make by taking pictures to represent «peace», an alternative title of the song.
«Not for sale» characterizes objects that do not sell, which can be seen in some stores, used as decoration. So he thought about this concept, and wondered what he would not sell from him, giving birth to this track. «투명인간» is a short song, which is directly related to the following title, and speaks of a moment of play, resource, in short, but pleasant. “불 꺼진 방 안에서” is in collaboration with 윤석철 and begins with piano accompaniment. “돌고래” is defined as a cute song, where the laughter of a girl is similar to the noise produced by dolphins. To close the album, «해피엔딩», translatable by «happy ending», to finish on a positive note.
Now that the presentation of the album has ended, it is time to exchange with the journalists for a brief quarter of an hour. The first question is more about the song “모르는 사람” and about the people we lose because we don’t contact each other anymore. By asking him where this inspiration comes from, and why speak of unknown person, ZION. T says he draws directly from his own experience, and from the people and friends he has lost touch with over time. Then he approaches his five-year break, and his activities like his participation in Show me the Money in 2021, a very popular rap show in Korea. This break especially gave him the strength to come back with an album of ten songs.
“This break was positive, because fruitful. I discovered a little more about myself.” – ZION.T
It was during this period that he joined his current agency, THE BLACK LABEL, which directly contacted the singer to discuss, which resulted in a collaboration between the two parties since ZION. T later joined the agency. The singer is very pleased to be part of this agency, and to have returned with an album so rich in meaning. Among the large number of songs he has made, he admits that it is difficult for him to choose one song over others, because they all have their meaning, like Christmas songs for example, since it is the season. However, he says he is aware that some styles that he has been able to experience did not suit him, but that he has no regrets since each song has its importance for him, whether it is walks or R&B, two styles that he likes more.
He thinks that the songs he writes and composes now are tracks that suit him perfectly with the person he is today, and that this was the case with the songs made several years ago, which were in accordance with the ZION. T that he was at that time. The singer always answers with passion and precision, questions abound, journalists cut themselves off, but he always keeps a big smile on his face. He is very grateful for this interest, and to be able to come back with an album that seems to attract attention. He discusses in more detail the creative process, and the fact that he listened at length to the feedback received for his previous titles, or when relatives told him to have liked this or that, and he chose to draw inspiration from it.
Concerning his portrait on the album, a reporter makes the remark that he often takes pictures to make the cover of his albums. The singer says that he tried other styles, but that seeing himself on the cover is what suited him the most, and that he tries to be different style with glasses, without, fringe, without, etc. This photo especially, was taken at home, and has a personal atmosphere. The song that represents him the most in this album is difficult for him to choose again, because being the one who wrote and composed them, they are all very personal to him and represent different parts of him and his story.
“I did my best to make my songs as impactful as possible from the beginning, in order to capture the attention for more than thirty seconds.” – ZION.T
He then discusses that the listening style of people has changed a lot since now, with streaming sites, many people listen without really listening to songs, and especially in quick listening. We also discuss the current trend of making many mini-albums rather than a single full album, and what the singer thinks of this trend. For ZION. T, producing songs with passion takes time, and this time is necessary for him because he wants to be sure of what he is talking about. Making mini-albums several times a year does not make sense for him, in his case, because he is an artist who does not rush.
Finally, to conclude the interview, is approached his personal agency, STANDARD FRIENDS. As a solo artist, it may seem simple to create his own agency, and surround himself with people of trust to manage his career, but he again takes his time and is grateful to THE BLACK LABEL for the freedom and trust given. ZION. T regularly questions himself about who he was, who he is, and who he would like to become, whether as a human or as an artist, and is always open to new perspectives to draw inspiration and create future songs.
The singer was very nice for this short interview. He was able to put at ease the reporters present, but also expressed his distress at the end of the hour. After a few timid thanks, he ends up leaving in his dressing room while the reporters leave the studio.
The words of our reporter: «Even if I did not have the opportunity to ask him questions, it was a most enriching meeting with a passionate artist».
Journalist: Pillet Anaïs
Photo: THE BLACK LABEL
Source: KSTATION TV
