1 BORDERLINE follows YOUTH, which looked back at youth and reflection. What made you want to turn toward the present this time?

If my first EP, YOUTH, was an album about looking back on the emotions and memories of my most innocent years, BORDERLINE is a more honest reflection of who I am today. I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of music feels true to me and what direction I wanted to take, and the whole process felt like a journey in itself. Rather than simply looking back, I wanted to capture the thoughts I have, the choices I’m making, and the way I’m moving forward.

2 "So Good" is about trusting yourself instead of finding the "right" answer. Where in your life did that idea come from?

I spent a lot of time figuring out what kind of music and artistic identity felt most like me, and I wanted to express that process as a journey. Ultimately, I see this album as a journey of finding myself. Rather than trying to find the “right” answer, I wanted to capture the process of trusting my own instincts and the direction I naturally feel drawn to. I think “So Good” captures that feeling especially well.

3 The music video moves through ruins and a half-destroyed spaceship before you're singing freely. What does that path mean to you?

To me, it feels like a journey through uncertainty and wandering, eventually finding my way back to trusting my own instincts. The ruins and collapsed spaces represent a period when I was questioning myself and feeling unsettled, while the final scene, where I’m singing freely, represents coming through that time and being able to express myself again in a way that feels true to who I am.

4 This EP is built on a rock foundation, more than your last release. What draws you to that sound right now?

I felt that it was finally time to really show the color of my voice. When I was thinking about what I wanted to express as a solo artist, the songs that inspired me the most and gave me the strongest sense of confidence were all rooted in rock. That naturally drew me deeper into the genre.

5 You mix pop, rock, R&B, and band sounds across BORDERLINE. How do you decide which elements belong in a song like "So Good" versus something like "Howling"?

I focused more on the emotion and message of each song than on deciding on a genre first. Some songs needed a rock sound to express a sense of energy and freedom, while others called for a different style to convey their emotions more delicately. I wanted to find the direction that would bring out the atmosphere of each song in the best possible way.

6 "Domino" is about searching for freedom and refuge inside uncertainty. What does refuge look like for you at this point in your life?

For me, it’s work, rest, and MONBEBE. I know rest is important, but I actually feel more at ease when I’m working. Of course, too little rest can be a problem, but in general, I feel more grounded when I’m working. And I think MONBEBE is a big part of why I’m able to feel that sense of stability.

7 "Late Night Drive" is a more intimate song than most of the EP. What did you want that stillness to hold?

If this album is largely a story about continuing to move forward, I think “Late Night Drive” is a moment to pause and look inward. I hope people can listen to it alone on a quiet night, or with someone they care about, and simply feel a sense of comfort and ease.

8 "Howling" closes the EP as an explosive, instinctive track. What was going through you when you recorded it?

I wanted to capture my emotions as honestly as possible. Rather than trying to make everything polished or perfectly composed, it was more important to express what I was genuinely feeling in the moment. So I approached the vocals in a rougher, more instinctive way and tried to bring out as much of the song’s raw energy as possible.

9 Within MONSTA X, you're known as the vocalist who anchors the group's sound. How does that identity shape the choices you make as a solo artist?

In the group, I’ve often taken on the role of anchoring a song and creating balance within the overall sound. As a solo artist, the difference is that I have to carry my emotions and story from beginning to end within a single song. That makes me think more deeply about what kind of story I can convey through my voice. The experience I’ve built with the group has also been a huge source of strength in my work as a solo artist.

10 The seven tracks move through wandering, clarity, uncertainty, and conviction. Was there a song that changed the most from when you first wrote it to the final version?

I’d say “Late Night Drive.” Since it’s not a genre I’ve typically worked in, I was a little worried about how it would turn out. But I ended up being so satisfied with the final result that a song I was initially uncertain about became my favorite.

11 "Lazy Day" is a reminder to slow down inside an EP mostly about pushing forward. Why did that moment need a place on the record?

I don’t think a story about constantly running forward would feel very realistic. In order to keep moving ahead, you also need moments when you can stop and catch your breath. I wanted “Lazy Day” to add another emotional dimension to the album and give listeners a moment to simply slow down and feel at ease.

12 Looking at BORDERLINE as a full body of work, what do you hope stays with a listener after the last track ends?

More than feeling like they’ve found the perfect answer, I hope listeners are left with the feeling that it’s okay to keep moving forward in their own way, too. This album isn’t about someone who has all the answers. It’s about moving forward while questioning yourself, feeling uncertain, and still choosing to trust your own direction. I hope the album can convey that the process itself is meaningful.