Twice's Tzuyu aims to shed maknae image with solo debut album 'abouTZU'

“I want people to see me as the sexy and mature solo singer Tzuyu, instead of the cute maknae of Twice,” the youngest member of girl group Twice told reporters with a shy smile during a press conference on Thursday.

Singer Tzuyu of girl group Twice poses for photos during a press conference held on Sept. 5 in southern Seoul for the release of her first solo album, ″abouTZU.″ [NEWS1]

“I want people to see me as the sexy and mature solo singer Tzuyu, instead of the cute maknae of Twice,” the youngest member of girl group Twice told reporters with a shy smile during a press conference on Thursday, describing herself with the Korean term for the youngest of a group.

Tzuyu’s meeting with reporters took place a day prior to the singer’s solo debut with her album “abouTZU” on Friday. The album title is a combination of the words "about" and her name, meaning that it aims to contain everything about Tzuyu — the 25-year-old Taiwanese singer whose full name is Chou Tzuyu.

“I know that people associate a bright, cute image with me when they first think of me,” Tzuyu said. “So, this album is all about showing every side of myself that I haven’t shown before. There’s a sexier side, and also a playful and cheeky song as well as a sentimental ballad on the album, so that I can express all the different emotions within myself.”

Lead track “Run Away” is thus all about showing the more sensual side of Tzuyu through a synth-pop melody and a touch of 1990s retro dance music topped off with Tzuyu’s iconic soft voice. The lyrics were written by Park Jin-young, founder and chief producer of Twice’s agency JYP Entertainment, and the music was composed by a team led by Johnny Simpson.

Singer Tzuyu of girl group Twice poses for photos during a press conference held on Sept. 5 in southern Seoul for the release of her first solo album, ″abouTZU.″ [YONHAP]

Singer Tzuyu of girl group Twice poses for photos during a press conference held on Sept. 5 in southern Seoul for the release of her first solo album, ″abouTZU.″ [YONHAP]

“I loved the lead track from the very first moment I heard it,” the singer said. “The melody was so catchy and the bass sound was also so unique. I did worry whether I could pull off this song but I chose to go ahead because I wanted the chance to show something different to the fans.”

The track is followed by collaborations with Peniel of boy band BTOB in “Heartbreak in Heaven” and rapper pH-1 in “Lazy Baby,” as well as her solo tracks “Losing Sleep,” “One Love” and “Fly.” Tzuyu took part in writing the lyrics of “Fly,” her first time writing a song ever since she debuted in October 2015 as a member of Twice.

“I wanted to express the things that I’ve felt in my life,” Tzuyu said. “That’s why I took part in writing the lyrics of a song because it’s my album and I thought it would make it more meaningful if I had participated more deeply in the making of it. I also wanted to share my stories with my fans.”

Tzuyu is the third member of Twice to start a solo career, following her bandmates Nayeon, who released her EP "Im Nayeon" in June 2022, and Jihyo, who released her EP "ZONE" in August 2023.

Singer Tzuyu of girl group Twice poses for photos during a press conference held on Sept. 5 in southern Seoul for the release of her first solo album, ″abouTZU.″ [NEWS1]

Singer Tzuyu of girl group Twice poses for photos during a press conference held on Sept. 5 in southern Seoul for the release of her first solo album, ″abouTZU.″ [NEWS1]

Having watched her fellow bandmates, as well as other abled soloists in the industry, Tzuyu did worry about whether she could fill an entire album and stage on her own — but it was also those very members who gave her the courage to go ahead with her work, according to the singer.

“The members were so supportive of me and I could ask them for advice whenever I became worried,” Tzuyu said. “Watching the members and other female singers on stage made me wonder what it would be like for me to be on the stage on my own. I’ve gained both the courage and passion to do so. So, I’m grateful for the chance to be able to show a diverse side of myself.”

Having now begun her solo journey, Tzuyu says she’s ready to take the lessons from “abouTZU” and use them for the next step.

“I want to find my better self through the experience,” she said. “I hope I can do that by taking the things I’ve learned and showing them through my music.”

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]