Secret's Song Ji-eun resumes her solo career

K-pop girl band Secret member Song Ji-eun performs “Bobby Doll” at YES24 MUV Hall in Mapo, western Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of TS Entertainment

By Kim Jae-heun

K-pop girl band Secret’s member Song Ji-eun released her second mini album, “Bobby Doll,” Tuesday, returning to her solo career after two years.

Song’s new album consists of six tracks including the title Bobby Doll. The acoustic dance song is based on pop and R&B rhythms while the guitar riff in the beginning adds groove to the track.

“You hear the acoustic guitar in the beginning and I start dancing. It’s quite different from the previous dance music that normally has a fast tempo,” said Song during a press conference at YES24 MUV Hall in Mapo, western Seoul.

Unlike the typical image of a young and lovely Barbie Doll, Song’s Bobby Doll has a dark fantasy character theme.

“While the title track developed from a concrete concept, the themes for the other songs were vague at first. Then we decided to choose healing as a whole concept for the feature songs to comfort people stressed from modern life,” said Song.

She worked a long time on the album’s first track “I Wanna Fall In Love.” Producers Iconic Sounds, Cha Cha Malone and Andrew Choi participated in composing and arranging the song.

According to the singer, it is a song that one can listen to easily while driving.

The third track “Off the Record” written and arranged by the singer’s favorite songwriter Shim Eun-ji features piano tunes.

The fifth track “It’s Okay” sends out a positive and hopeful message.

Whereas “Pretty Age 25,” the song from her first album “25” which helped Song to success, was a cute song, this time she returned as a mature and foxy singer.

“I always choose challenge and one way was trying different concepts and various styles. I sing in a high tone and I’ve always wanted to try singing in a little deeper voice. For this album, I changed my singing style and you will notice if you listen carefully,” said Song.

Song appeared in the drama “Sweet Home, Sweet Honey” earlier this year prior to resuming her solo career.

“Actors and singers share common ground in that they both express something. I’ve been dreaming of becoming a singer since I was a high school student and it is not awkward. But acting is new to me and I am still learning.

“Now I will be active on TV music shows for a while but when my solo schedule is over, I will go back to acting. I am happy that I can challenge myself in various fields,” said Song.

Song debuted as a Secret member in 2009 and rose to stardom with the group’s hit single “Magic” included in the first mini album “Secret Time.” The band’s second mini album also gained huge popularity with the title track “Madonna” released in August 2010 topping the Gaon Singles Chart.

“It has been seven years since I debuted and rankings of my new songs on the music chart don’t matter as much as before. I want to keep challenging myself and try music that I want to do and I can do well. This time I am a dark Barbie doll but I can play a different role next time,” she said.