Jihyo, the leader of global K-pop phenomenon TWICE, has built a reputation as one of the hardest-working artists in the industry. For over a decade, she has juggled the responsibilities of leading eight other members, delivering electrifying performances, recording countless hits, and embarking on grueling world tours. Yet, in her latest collaboration with Grammy-nominated Jamaican artist Shenseea, Jihyo is learning a valuable lesson: sometimes, it's okay to slow down.
The collaboration, titled 'Distant Lover', is a smooth blend of K-pop, dancehall, and Afrobeats that explores the modern concept of 'situationships' – those ambiguous romantic connections that are neither casual nor committed. Jihyo first encountered the track while her team was curating songs for her next solo album. She fell in love with it immediately and initially wanted to keep it for herself. However, the team at FANDOM – a music project backed by Musicow and ROC Nation – brought in Shenseea for the feature, and Jihyo embraced the opportunity to work with the Jamaican star.
When Jihyo first heard Shenseea's voice on the demo, she knew she had to approach her own vocals differently. Instead of unleashing her full, powerful belt – a signature of many TWICE songs – she chose a softer, more soulful tone. 'I immediately felt her powerful vocals. I didn't want to use my powerful vocal style in this song but accompany hers. So I wanted to be a little smoother. I wanted to give different vocal components to this song, because that's what makes the song interesting and not boring to listen to,' Jihyo explained during a recent Zoom interview from JYP Entertainment's headquarters in Seoul.
The two artists recorded their parts in separate locations but finally met in person during the music video shoot. The video features oceanic themes and shows both women exuding confidence, with Jihyo showcasing a sexier side that fans rarely see in her group activities. She admitted that in retrospect she might have done a few things differently, but overall she feels the outcome was successful. 'I was able to show different sides than Shenseea, and we came together harmoniously. We made the entire song very complete. This is the only song that I listen to these days,' she said with a laugh.
Working with Shenseea also taught Jihyo an important life lesson about pace. In TWICE, where there are nine members, everything moves quickly and efficiently. Jihyo is used to planning carefully to stand out while ensuring the group's synergy is perfect. But observing Shenseea and her previous collaborator Jenevieve (on the R&B track 'Hvnly'), Jihyo realized she could afford to be more relaxed. 'I could see how relaxed they are. They could really show their own aura. They were giving off their own relaxed and chill vibe. So I learned that maybe I don't have to hurry things. Maybe I don't have to do things so fast. So that kind of attitude is something I learned from them,' she confessed.
This collaboration follows a busy few months for Jihyo. In May, American singer Jenevieve featured her on the smooth R&B track 'Hvnly', and in June she participated in the World Cup anthem 'Follow Me' alongside French Montana, LUDMILLA, RedOne, and Adriana C. The international nature of these projects reflects how far K-pop has come. Jihyo recalled that when she debuted over a decade ago, only PSY's 'Gangnam Style' had achieved global recognition. Today, K-pop groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and her own TWICE regularly collaborate with Western artists and top global charts.
Jihyo credits social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for accelerating K-pop's global reach. 'We didn't have Instagram or TikTok challenges back in the day. When I debuted, we had content channels, which became globalized and grew in number. I think that really helped K-pop artists to make their presence strong on the global stage,' she said. She also specifically thanked groups like BTS for 'paving the way' for Korean artists, adding that TWICE is grateful to follow in those footsteps.
Looking ahead, Jihyo is eager to explore more languages and genres. TWICE has already released English and Japanese versions of their hits, and Jihyo expressed a desire to sing in Spanish as well, to connect with even more fans. She also dreams of collaborating with artists like Rihanna, Kehlani, Bad Bunny, and Shakira. When the interviewer audibly gasped at the idea of a Jihyo x Shakira collab, Jihyo chuckled. Her personal taste in music leans toward jazz and R&B, and she hopes one day to release a full 'jazzy R&B' album. 'That's my little dream I have,' she revealed.
Despite her busy schedule, Jihyo remains open to further collaborations, even during TWICE's upcoming break. After their nearly year-long 'THIS IS FOR' tour and the release of new music, the group will take a well-deserved rest. Jihyo understands that fans may feel disappointed not to see them on stage, but she emphasizes that the break is necessary for their long-term health and creativity. 'For the past 11 years, as TWICE and as a solo artist, we barely had any breaks, so I want to spend the rest of this year relaxing and taking a bit of a break,' she shared.
When asked if the break means a halt to her collaborative projects, Jihyo laughed and said, 'When it comes to collaborative work like this, they already have the song ready for me. They have the song's concept, so it's not really hard to participate and collaborate with other artists. So, if anything comes up, give me a call.' This openness ensures that even during downtime, Jihyo's fans may still get new music from unexpected partnerships. For now, 'Distant Lover' with Shenseea is available on all streaming platforms, with physical copies sold at select retailers. The track marks another milestone in Jihyo's journey as she learns to embrace both power and patience, speed and stillness.
Source: Forbes News