By Hasan Beyaz
There is something devastating about wanting someone so desperately that you would do almost anything to make things work. “Only thing”, the first solo digital single by JISUNG, sits in that crushing space between longing and desperation, where every unsaid word feels heavier than the last.
The track is a strikingly assured emotional statement, capturing a feeling that is at once deeply personal and painfully universal. “So say it now, say it now, before I lose my mind...” he sings, giving a voice to the kind of yearning that makes you want to run straight towards the person on your mind and fight for whatever remains between you. Its shoegaze textures and slow-burning rock ballad arrangement deepen that feeling, with hazy guitars giving way to a fuller, more impassioned vocal performance. The result is a song that feels caught between the fear of losing someone and the hope that there might still be time to save what you have.
While listeners have interpreted its lyrics as sad, JISUNG explains in this interview that he sees something more hopeful in them: the wish for a person who means everything to stay by your side.
After a long hiatus, JISUNG returned to his fans through QQQ, the group he shares with fellow members KB and NINE. During his time away, he often felt lost, and the love and support of his fans became what he missed most. Standing in front of them again left a lasting impression, bringing home how closely their feelings seemed to mirror his own. That shared emotion became part of the foundation for “Only thing”, a song through which he could express feelings that are not always easy to put into words.
Now, JISUNG is looking towards a wider musical horizon. Having discovered a new appreciation for band music only a few months ago, he is eager to follow his curiosity rather than settle into one genre.
We speak to JISUNG about the making of “Only thing”, the personal experiences behind its emotional core, and the possibilities he hopes to explore as a solo artist – alongside an exclusive playlist of the tracks he’s currently obsessed with.
“Only thing” moves between softer, smoky verses and a much bigger chorus. What kind of vocal performance did you want to bring to this song, and how did you approach those different sections?
JISUNG I think of music as a way to express my emotions and connect with my fans. That’s why I wanted to pour delicate, heartfelt emotions into every single word. With “Only thing,” I felt it was important to capture the listener’s attention from the very first line, “As I’m getting dressed.” So, from the very beginning, I focused on the finer details of my vocals and the emotions behind each line.
The bridge becomes heavier before the chorus opens up again, with your vocals and the harmonies taking centre stage. What did you want that shift in intensity to communicate emotionally?
A lot of fans have told me that the lyrics feel sad. However, the emotion I wanted to convey through “Only thing” was closer to hope than sadness. It captures the desperate yet hopeful feeling of wanting the one person who means everything to you to stay by your side and never leave.
The song explores the loneliness of a relationship drifting apart, alongside the desire for someone to speak honestly before it is too late. What drew you to this particular feeling, and what did you want listeners to take away from it?
I had a long hiatus, and during that unexpected break, there were times when I felt lost and had a lot on my mind. What I missed the most during that time was the love and support from my fans. After a long time away, I finally stood in front of my fans again through the QQQ project, and I don't think I'll ever forget how moving that moment was.
You worked with Lagna Rei on the lyrics and composition, while also contributing your own background vocals. How did the two of you develop the sound of “Only thing”?
At first, I decided on the musical direction I wanted to explore, and suggested that we each start by casually sketching out ideas without settling on any specific keywords or themes. We began working separately, and without discussing our ideas with each other, we somehow ended up creating sketches that shared the same message and keywords. I found that incredibly fascinating and exciting.
When we first completed the song, I was personally so satisfied with the result that I was happy about it for days. After that, the producer Lagna and I continued to refine and revise the track, constantly thinking about how we could bring out its full potential through my vocals.
Lagna is also an incredibly talented musician, so I learned a great deal throughout the recording process. I've been singing for a long time and thought I had built up quite a bit of knowledge about vocals, but through this project, I discovered new vocal techniques and nuances that helped me grow as a vocalist.
This was such a meaningful and valuable experience for me, and I'm really looking forward to the music I'll get to create with Lagna in the future.
The song highlights the small details in your voice, from changes in tone to the way you use your breath. When recording, how do you decide when to hold back and when to let your voice become more powerful?
I'm glad you picked up on exactly what I wanted to emphasize in this song. When I work on music, I don't think of it as simply recording vocals. I think of it as creating a short drama. I try to build a clear narrative arc throughout the song, expressing each section with a different feeling and vocal tone so that listeners remain engaged and immersed from beginning to end.
I usually determine the emotional dynamics and vocal delivery by looking at the lyrics first. I try to understand what emotions the lyrics convey and how those emotions evolve as the song progresses. Sometimes, I hold back and let the emotions come through subtle changes in my breathing or vocal tone. Other times, when the emotions reach their peak, I put more power into my voice to fully convey those feelings.
Ultimately, I believe what's important isn't simply singing powerfully or using elaborate vocal techniques, but finding the most natural and fitting way to express the emotion of each moment.
As a member of QQQ, you have been part of a group project with KB and NINE. With “Only thing” marking your first digital single as a solo artist, what can you express through your own music that feels different from what you bring to QQQ?
I've loved emotional, heartfelt music since I was young, and I believe I can express that kind of music in my own unique way. Until now, I've mainly shown my energetic side through dance music, but going forward, I want to convey greater musical depth through my own emotions and voice as a vocalist. I want to create music that can deeply touch people's hearts through the emotions in my voice and the subtle nuances of my vocal delivery alone.
You have spoken through this release about music as a way to express your feelings and communicate with fans. Is there anything about yourself that you find easier to express through a song than through a conversation?
I think I'm not always the best at expressing my emotions. Even when I try to share how I feel, I often end up feeling shy. That's why I try to pour the feelings I can't fully express in words into my music. For me, singing is a way to communicate my emotions more naturally and comfortably, especially the ones I find difficult to express in everyday life. In a way, music allows me to share a more honest side of myself and convey my true feelings to my fans in ways I might not otherwise be able to.
“Only thing” is the beginning of a new chapter in your musical journey. As you continue developing your identity as a solo artist, what sounds or styles are you interested in exploring next, and what would you like listeners to discover about you through your future releases?
I'm naturally a very curious person, and whenever there's something I want to try, I feel like I have to experience it for myself. “Only thing” is a shoegaze rock ballad, and interestingly, I only fell in love with band music a few months ago, almost out of the blue. I really enjoy discovering new music and exploring the different possibilities it opens up for me as an artist. Of course, I usually have a certain direction in mind when creating music, but I might suddenly discover a new genre that inspires me and end up exploring a completely different musical style. That's why I'm really excited to see where my musical journey takes me.
Rather than limiting myself to a particular genre, I want to keep challenging myself with different styles and gradually develop a sound that's uniquely my own. Through my future releases, I hope listeners will discover that I have a much wider range of emotions and artistic possibilities than they might expect.
JISUNG’s Five Favourite Songs Right Now
keshi has been one of my favorite artists for a long time, and his music has always been a part of my late nights. Every time I listen to “Soft Spot (Acoustic),” I'm reminded of how powerful music can be. It's a song that has shown me how music can transcend language barriers and offer comfort through the music itself. Someday, I hope to become an artist who can be part of someone's late-night moments and quietly bring comfort to a tired heart.
Everything about this song, from the concept to the beat and topline, comes together so seamlessly. From the very first listen, I felt that every element fit perfectly together, which is why it's one of my personal favorites. Musically, it might feel quite different from “Only thing,” but this song has had a significant influence on how I think about and shape my own musical direction. It's more than just a song I love; it has helped me reflect on the kind of music I want to create moving forward.
This is a song I've been listening to consistently since its release. I've listened to it so much that I even ranked in the top 0.2% of UMI's listeners on my music streaming platform. What impresses me most is how delicately UMI conveys a sense of loneliness through her voice alone. As someone who loves emotional music, this song has inspired me to become an artist who can convey deep emotions through my voice without relying on elaborate production or complex arrangements.
I discovered this song through an algorithm, and it has that late-night atmosphere I love so much. I remember putting it on repeat as soon as I heard it for the first time and spending over an hour just listening to it, completely lost in my thoughts. Regardless of the specific meaning of the lyrics, the music itself captures the mood and feeling of the late-night hours so beautifully. Someday, I hope my music can evoke a certain time or atmosphere on its own and bring comfort to someone during their late-night moments.
He's an artist I personally admire, and his music has had a significant influence on my own musical direction. I find myself coming back to his music often because the distinct musical identity he's developed as a solo artist really resonates with my taste. I'm especially impressed by his signature husky voice, wide vocal range, and ability to adapt his vocal delivery so naturally to each song. Since we're also around the same age, I think I've become even more interested in his music and artistic journey.