NCT's Jaehyun talks 'digging deeper' on his first solo album

Music has always been integral in the life of NCT's Jaehyun.

"When I was young, my dad used to let me listen to a bunch of songs, and my mom used to play the piano," the 27-year-old tells USA TODAY. "If I had school festivals, I was the student that would go out and always sing with my friends. So, it was always with me."

Jaehyun's love of music led to a career in South Korea's entertainment industry. He debuted with K-pop group NCT in 2016, joining its sub-groups NCT 127 and, in 2023, NCT DOJAEJUNG.

Through the years, Jaehyun has pushed forward and tested the limits to his artistry not only as a NCT member, but as a soloist. He can adapt to any concept thrown his way, but Jaehyun's flair lies in his velvety vocals and authentic lyrical composition.

His debut album "J - The 1st Album", out now, embodies the intricacies to Jaehyun's musical passion.

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Curating Jaehyun's first solo album

Prior to the release of "J - The 1st Album", Jaehyun ventured into solo releases including "Forever Only" in 2022 and "Horizons" in 2023.

Those creative processes drove him to want to be more involved in making his music. He was able to do so for "J - The 1st Album" when its production started last December.

"I brought some of the songs that were in my pocket to the label and let them listen to three tracks," he reveals. "That was actually the starting point of this album."

Among that portfolio was "Roses", one of Jaehyun's pre-released tracks. He worked on it with a team and thrived in the collaborative energy.

"I really feel like I have to put myself inside while making the music, and that could make the listeners or the fans feel what actually my own genre or style is," he says.

"From the start, I really wanted all the songs to be classic, so as time passes, you could still listen to it."

This classic quality is accented by the jazz and R&B throughout "J - The 1st Album".

"'Can't Get You', I really needed that as the last track for the album, because that could wrap (it) up, and in the middle, I needed 'Flamin' Hot Lemon' where you could just easily vibe with it," he explains. "I really needed 'Roses' or 'Dandelion' where you could feel thoughts too, and also 'Completely' where you could say nothing, just close your eyes, put your earphones on."

As for "Smoke", the album's focus track, Jaehyun believes it to be "casual" and open for interpretation. "I thought it was really easy for a lot of people to relate to," he adds.

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Artistry through authenticity

Creating music lets Jaehyun be vulnerable and authentic.

"I'm not a person that always talks about what I feel, like 'I'm so sad' or 'It's been hard these days'," he shares. "Throughout this promotion ... I think (people) could realize what I was into, or what my thoughts were."

His time as a member of NCT has also informed his individual artistry.

"As a team, I learned a lot too," Jaehyun says. "I always spent my time digging deeper into what I was into music-wise. I think that both helps me when I'm doing solo."

As for the future, Jaehyun hopes to continue making music whether it be with NCT or as a soloist.

"For eight years after debut as a member of NCT, I gave my all, and I really don't regret anything," he shares. "My solo career, it's a new journey for me, and I really hope the fans also enjoy having this journey with me."