“I’m Constantly Looking For Growth” Xiumin Interviewed
It took a whole decade for EXO’s Xiumin to release his first solo album. Out now, ‘Brand New’ – as its title suggests – intends on revealing a fresh perspective upon the eldest member of one of K-pop’s most fundamental groups. “Being a better vocalist was one of my missions,” he tells Clash over Zoom, cosying up in a black hoodie that contrasts with his lavender hair and bleached eyebrows. “I took additional vocal classes and worked on my skills to bring out the most of it. It’s something that I really challenged myself in.”
—
—
Born Kim Minseok in Seoul, South Korea, the 32-year-old says that he always dreamed of being a singer, but held it at distance. He remembers being at school and hanging out with a friend, talking about how much they looked up to TVXQ! — the legendary boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2003 — and how unattainable they seemed to be. But just some years later, Xiumin would join that same company, and eventually debut with EXO.
“I figured there was no way that I could potentially, actually [be a singer],” he says. “So I was trying to go to college and study in a completely different field, unrelated to music. But I had the opportunity to go to an SM [Entertainment] audition, and I was accepted. I wondered, ‘Maybe this dream could be a reality?’ so I decided to give it my all.”
—
—
Throughout his years with EXO, Xiumin built a legacy of unrivaled teamwork, chart-topping hits, and tours across the globe. “When I look back to my debut [in 2012], I was focused on becoming a more balanced artist,” he says. “Not just singing, not just dancing, not just rapping, but becoming versatile enough to excel in every area.” He emerged as a reliable performer and also actor, participating in several collaborations such as EXO-CBX (a subunit composed of him and fellow members Chen and Baekhyun), the 2015 web series ‘Falling for Challenge’, and the 2021 Korean production of the musical ‘Hadestown’, where he played the lead role of Orpheus.
He only regrets one thing so far: not being able to participate in the activities held by EXO from May 2019 to December 2020, while he was performing South Korea’s mandatory military service. Especially the dark, alluring promotions of 2019’s single ‘Obsession’: “It was a concept I always wanted to do as an artist. I was so confident in mastering [it],” he says, adjusting the hoodie around his neck. “Seeing them on stage without me made me really, really sad, and I wish that I had been part of it. It made me miss the members a lot more too.”
“When I look back, I realize that never taking anything for granted is one of my biggest lessons,” he adds. “Not just in terms of fans, I’ve seen a lot of success as an EXO member as well, and [for] my solo EP, I really wanted to dedicate [them] all the appreciation and the gratitude I’ve had in my career.” He affirms that fans’ love and support are more precious than anything. “That’s what keeps me excited and happy, and it’s what makes the job more meaningful as an artist. It’s something that I tried to remind myself through this album process.”
—
—
For such a gregarious personality, allowing the spotlight to shine only on himself was a challenge. On his own, who is Xiumin? “I’d say that I can dance, I can sing, I can be quite cute and adorable sometimes, but also very sexy, very good looking,” he starts. “And I’m a versatile artist with a lot of potential in various concepts.” He defines himself as “curious” and bound to learn and grow in limitless ways. “Oh, and I have one more thing to say,” he looks at the interpreter, a mischievous smile forming on the corners of his mouth. As the air gets thick with expectation, he blurts out, in Korean: “I’m a fairy.”
The nickname, well known between EXO fans, is one way to describe the youthfulness and magic of Xiumin. It’s why, despite being the eldest in the group, people often assume the opposite, and why he stands out even when he’s in the middle of a crowd.
—
—
In ‘Brand New’, Xiumin harnesses those qualities, proving his versatility works just as well on his own. Neatly divided between three retro-infused pop jams and two soulful ballads, his playful colors take over the EP with flair. He coasts through the homonymous, uplifting title track, inviting the listener to “Let it loose,” and the vibe follows through in the delightfully odd ‘Feedback’ — a definite highlight of the album. In the laid back, new jack swing flow of ‘How We Do,’ featuring NCT’s Mark, he proves his mastery in partnerships, and sets the ground to soar high and solo in the warm, nostalgic ‘Love Letter’ and in the hopeful album closer, ‘Serenity.’
“I can’t say that I’ve become the best vocalist that I can be,” he says. “I’m constantly looking for growth, and not just in terms of technique and skills, but also in ways like how you deliver the song, emotions, and the right feelings. I hope to continue working on this and become a better vocalist each time.”
He believes that the approach is different for every performer. “There are artists who want to master a specific genre that they’ve always been doing, and there are artists who want to be a little more versatile and showcase new concepts with each time,” he explains. “Trying and showcasing brand new stuff was a turning point for me to grow as an artist. And most of all, while it could be great to be consistent and show the same genre or music, I think that it would be more fun to leave the fans curious and anticipating my next comeback. I would say that I’m an artist who wants to be more experimental.”
—
Words: Tássia Assis // @ _tassia_a
