Tzuyu was just 16 when she started her journey with K-pop group TWICE in 2015, still figuring out her identity as an artist.

Nearly ten years later, she has transformed into a powerful performer, excelling in both singing and dancing. Tzuyu has grown not only as an artist but also as a person in the limelight.

Her debut solo album, “abouTZU,” released recently, reflects this evolution.

“I believe fans and the public have always seen me as the adorable, quiet youngest member of TWICE,” says the 25-year-old in an interview with YSL News. “With this album, I aimed to reveal my bolder side.”

Tzuyu is the third member of TWICE to launch a solo career, following Nayeon in 2022 and Jihyo in 2023.

“I feel nervous and butterflies in my stomach,” she expresses. “I’m genuinely thrilled about this opportunity.”

Tzuyu is enthusiastic about embracing this chance, ready to unveil new dimensions of her musical persona.

“The title ‘abouTZU’ signifies revealing everything about me as an artist, and I wanted to show various sides of myself that fans haven’t witnessed yet,” she shares.

The Making of ‘abouTZU’

The creation of “aboutTZU” commenced in February, according to Tzuyu.

“We held numerous meetings, and my company truly valued my thoughts and feedback,” she explains. “I’m a fan of Ava Max, and I aspire to create similar music, expressing that vibe.”

The lead single, “Run Away,” captures a lively disco-pop essence akin to Max’s style.

In addition to this track, there are five other songs, each showcasing various genres and highlighting different aspects of Tzuyu’s artistry.

“The B-sides feature upbeat, quirky songs along with emotional ballads,” she notes.

TWICE’s prominent producer and the agency’s founder, J.Y. Park, penned the lyrics for “Run Away.” Although the song centers on love, Tzuyu believes it parallels her own journey.

“It reflects my experience in debuting as a solo artist. Unsurprisingly, I felt scared and had many thoughts at first, but once the solo debut was decided, I summoned my courage and gained confidence,” she comments.

“abouTZU” showcases Tzuyu’s abilities, allowing her to express more than what she has shown in the past. She highlights “Fly” and “Lazy Baby” as her personal favorites.

“I hold a deep affection for the song ‘Fly,’ a slow ballad for which I wrote the lyrics, sharing my personal story through it,” she reveals. “Then there’s ‘Lazy Baby,’ which reflects a side of me that people discover as they get to know me better.”

Overcoming Obstacles and Pushing Boundaries

Tzuyu’s path to her solo debut came with its own set of challenges.

“I’ve always been surrounded by my group members, and this is my first solo undertaking,” she explains. “I was anxious that any mistake would be magnified, so I worked extra hard to pay attention to every detail, aiming for perfection in both the recording and performance.”

For support, Tzuyu turned to her TWICE members Nayeon and Jihyo, who have ventured into solo music before.

“Since they experienced solo challenges too, they reached out to me first, offering their help whenever I needed it,” Tzuyu shares.

This album also opened doors for new collaborations, such as with rapper pH-1 and BTOB’s Peniel.

“We chose to collaborate because we believed a male vocal contribution would enhance the album’s sound,” she notes.

Establishing Tzuyu’s Solo Identity

“Though this is my first solo project, my decade-long experience with TWICE has paved the way for my journey,” Tzuyu reflects. “The image I’ve created is a part of me, but I hope this album offers fans a chance to uncover different aspects of who I am.

Looking ahead, Tzuyu aims to keep producing music both as part of TWICE and as a solo artist.

Having developed her own identity, Tzuyu’s future prospects are promising, leading her towards even greater advancements.

“As a solo artist, my aspiration is to enhance my ability to share my story, experiences, and reflections,” she expresses.