Ryu Sujeong is a South Korean singer who made her first appearance in the K-Pop scene as a member of Lovelyz in 2014, and later then debuted as a solo artist on May 20, 2020, with the mini-album 'Tiger Eyes.'

Sujeong's most recent record, 'Archive of Emotions,' is her first full-length solo album and it contains tracks ranging from lucid R&B to catchy pop melodies. Listeners may hear Sujeong's self-penned songs on this album, which serves as a diary of the singer's inner world and is based on her deeply personal experiences of navigating her mid-20s as both a Korean woman and an artist born into the competitive K-Pop industry.

The studio album consists of 11 brand-new songs, including "Non-Fantasy," "Grabby Girl," "WRONG," "Daydreaming," "Pathetic Love," "Fluffy Kitty," "Drown...," "Love or Hate," "How can I get your Love," "고백 (Confession)," and "PINK MOON."

Throughout each track, Sujeong explores the complexities of love, from the thrill of romance to the pain of rejection, being strikingly emotive and open.

To celebrate the release of her debut LP, Sujeong sat down with allkpop. In the exclusive interview, the singer discussed the making of the record, musicians she wishes to work with, staging successful solo concerts, and more. Continue reading to learn more about Sujeong.

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allkpop: We want to congratulate you first on releasing your first studio album! Could you walk us through the process of preparing this full-length album? How long did it take you to finalize everything, and were there any challenges along the way? 

Sujeong: I started my album-making process late last year, in October. I wrote for about a month and then I prepared the videos and the physical album. It was really difficult because it was the first time I have written that many songs in a limited amount of time. But I overcame it, so that was how the album was brought out.

allkpop: Your album, 'Archives of Emotions,' contains 11 new songs that explore a wide range of emotions. How did you bring out these emotions and express yourself in the recording studio in order to deliver the songs' messages in the way you want them to be received by listeners?

Sujeong: For my album, I wanted my listeners - whether they be my fans or new listeners - to have a warm feeling and heal through my music as I wasn't able to interact with my fans this time around. I try to stay in tune with my daily feelings rather than delving into something that wasn't in my realm of emotions.

allkpop: Which song is your personal favorite, and why?

Sujeong: Because I wrote and composed all the 11 tracks, my favorite song changes all the time. I love all of them, but today I will stick to "Grabby Girl" because it's one of the album's title tracks.

allkpop: Do you have any musical genres you'd like to explore in the future?

Sujeong: I, of course, want to do a lot of wide-ranging genres and explore new things. But recently I had concerts and I did some ballads and it was very well received by the fans, so if I have to choose a genre that I want to do, then I would pick, for now, ballads.

allkpop: 'Archives of Emotions' is a deeply personal and emotional work that tackles a wide range of topics, from love to self-doubt to fear. What is it like to put out such personal music for the world to hear and judge, particularly your fans? Do you consider how others will perceive you through the music you're releasing? 

Sujeong: I'm very proud of the outcome of the album. It was my first time and it was very personal, but I feel like that kind of resonated with the larger audience and listeners. I feel like the album helped me as well as my fans heal through my music.

allkpop: You were involved in the creation of your album! How do you feel about being able to participate in the creative process, and are there any factors you consider before releasing new music?

Sujeong: First of all, I am so happy that I was able to participate in the album-making process. I'm interested in a lot of other things other than music. I'm very into styling, concept making, branding, and all these things go into making an album, so I really had a lot of fun. The important factors I consider are that I really need to like and enjoy what I'm doing.

allkpop: It's been three years since your solo debut! Congratulations! What have been some of the biggest changes in your life and career since you first debuted as a solo act? What lessons have you learned along the way that have helped you grow as an artist?

Sujeong: My fans have rented a cafe for me for my 3rd anniversary, and they made a special menu where the beverages were named after my nicknames. So I visited the cafe, met with my fans, and celebrated with them a few days ago.

I gained a sense of responsibility because I feel like I'm on my own and everything basically revolves around me. I feel like I want to be more serious and take this responsibility to another level. And try to keep releasing good music in return for my fans.

allkpop: You've been in the K-Pop industry for almost a decade now! What has been the highlight of your journey so far? What are some of the moments that have made you feel like you've grown and evolved as an artist?

Sujeong: In my career, there were many meaningful moments. It would be difficult for me to pick a highlight of my career but if I have to pick then it's the release of my first full-length album because it was my long-time dream, to be able to release an LP. I'm very happy and I think that's one of the most memorable and meaningful moments for me that my first album came out.

allkpop: You just recently held your solo concert, congratulations on successfully completing the shows! What was it like to perform in front of your fans and receive so much love and support? Do you have any rituals or preparations you do before taking the stage?

Sujeong: I'm so happy to have had a concert. I'm very proud that it went well and I had a very good time interacting with my fans and vibing with them. If I have a ritual or routine before having a concert is to make sure that I'm in my best condition because I have to perform live. So I try to stay focused and be in the best shape, condition, and health.

allkpop: Is there anyone in the industry, in or out of K-Pop, you'd like to work with in the future?

Sujeong: There's too much for me to list but if I had to pick one today then I want to collaborate with JOJI from 88RISING. I really love his music!

allkpop: Is there anything else you'd like to say to everyone who's reading this article, to your fans all over the world?

Sujeong: This is my first time working with allkpop, though I want to continue to meet with allkpop readers and subscribers, I hope to sustain my career and keep on making music and showing good materials and stuff to my fans.

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