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Jihyos fans refer to her as God Jihyo.
Well, shes got a new blessing for them today.
The personalmilestone arrives during an already-busy two years for the energetic K-pop group.
But Jihyo has been waiting patiently for her own moment.
We had such a hectic schedule and felt huge burdens since these were our first non-Twice albums.
But I wanted to move away from what Ive shown through Twice.
Yeah, I think the public associates Twice with making upbeat music.
But onZone, your lyrics are darker.
That was actually the main focus of this album: to show different sides of me.
I wanted my lyrics to be really honest and transparent.
I wanted to express emotions that were a bit more aggressive.
Are you drawing from your own life when you write those types of lyrics?
I wanted to write lyrics about me not even wanting to go back to that kind of room.
Youre credited as a co-composer on four of the seven tracks onZone.
It has shock value.
But after that performance, I felt like I wanted the song to be even more powerful.
So I kept working on the arrangement throughout the tour to refine the hook to sound richer.
We just continued to modify any areas that felt lacking.
And once I accomplished that initial goal, I remember feeling like I was a little lost.
I didnt really know what to look forward to.
But for me now … Youve been praised for your singing and dancing since your trainee days.
What does success mean to someone whom fans already call God Jihyo?
Are there still areas you personally want to improve?[Smiles.]
I love when my fans give me nicknames.
While working on this album, I learned I wanted to challenge myself to try different genres.
You trained withmultiple older idolswho debuted in groups and later went on to release solo music.
There wasnt really a specific moment.
Its more like, I had to become a person who would always be ready.
As a result, I seeall my years of trainingto be a huge strength.
I actually think now is the perfect time.
Ive gotten to a point where I really understand the industry and my style as an artist.
Working this many years in the industry has helped me accumulate a lot of data.
There was a lot of input to take into consideration.
I think this album was able to come together as the combined output of those two factors.
So, I made sure to bring that style into the title track, Killin Me Good.
When you joined JYP in 2005, themaknaeof JYPs newest girl group, NMIXX, wasnt even born yet.
[Puts hand over mouth.]
Wow … Ive been working for a long time, huh?
Because Im a part of that, Im not even sure how old I am anymore.
But I love to travel, thats my way of relaxing.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
