Sayart.net - Hur Young-ji of Kara Embarks on a Solo Journey with ′Toi Toi Toi′

RBW, DSP Media

In a momentous solo debut, Hur Young-ji, formerly a member of the renowned girl group Kara, has set the stage with her latest single, "Toi Toi Toi." This release marks a significant milestone, arriving nearly a decade after she first graced the music scene as part of Kara in 2014.

"Toi Toi Toi," a German expression conveying well wishes to performing artists, was a suggestion from Hur's sister. She explained, "It's akin to the Korean 'fighting!' My sister recommended it after listening to all three songs, and it resonated as a perfect match. Through this single, I'm not only rooting for my own solo journey but also extending my support to all embarking on their unique adventures."

Leading the three-song package is "L.O.V.E," a vibrant pop-dance track radiating Hur's infectious energy. The melody was crafted by the celebrated singer-songwriter duo Rocoberry, with lyrics penned by star lyricist Seo Ji-eum.

"L.O.V.E" serves as Hur's anthem, with her donning the role of a love cheerleader. She explained, "Here, love encompasses a broader sense, not limited to romantic love. Life is an ongoing journey, and I aimed to infuse a positive energy of love to encourage individuals on their respective paths."

The single's uplifting atmosphere extends to "Focus," which emphasizes self-confidence and turning one's attention inward, and "Climax," which captures the exhilaration Hur feels at this juncture in her life. Hur contributed to the lyrics of "Climax" and unveiled the song during her solo fan meeting in June.

Describing "Climax," Hur shared, "If 'Memory Clock,' my first solo song from 2017, was about encouragement, 'Climax' celebrates the happiness I've found in the present. I've always wondered how to convey this sense of fulfillment to my fans. When I heard the guide version of the song, I was nearly moved to tears with happiness." She added that "Climax" was the first confirmed and recorded song for the single.

For Hur, this long-anticipated solo debut arrived at just the right moment. After joining Kara in 2014 during the group's sixth EP, "Day & Night," she took her initial steps as a solo artist in 2017 with "Memory Clock." However, she considers "Toi Toi Toi" her official solo beginning.

"I needed time for introspection, and that took time. But it was a necessary period. I stand here today because of that journey. It was a long road, but to be honest, not long enough for me to truly take care of and love myself."

Hur's sense of contentment in life crystallized with Kara's recent comeback. The group, consisting of Hur, Nicole, Seung-yeon, Gyuri, and Ji-young, released the special album "Move Again" in November to commemorate their 15th anniversary, reuniting as a full group after seven years. Their comeback performance at the annual Mama Awards garnered significant attention and love from fans.

Reflecting on this resurgence, Hur recalled, "We were taken aback by the overwhelming love we received. Initially, we thought of celebrating our anniversary with a modest online livestream."

As she relishes this peak moment in her life, Hur's philosophy is simple: "Life may present obstacles, but I firmly believe there's always a way around them. I still have plenty of time to enjoy myself, and that's precisely what I plan to do."

Hur hopes her new songs will provide listeners with similarly delightful experiences. She noted, "The central goal with this single was to create music that's easy on the ears. I hope people will find themselves humming these tunes after a listen."

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com