If you watched Girls Planet 999: Girls Saga, you may already be familiar with K-R&B artist veanii. Known for having incredible vocal and performance ability, veanii is the new artistic identity of An Jeongmin. Last May, veanii dropped new single, "To A Higher Place" quickly earning her recognition as an up-and-comer on-the-rise. Get to know veanii here first to learn about veanii here first through an exclusive interview with allkpop below!
allkpop: It’s nice to meet you veanii! To our readers who may not be familiar with you, please give an introduction of who you are and what you do.
veanii: Nice to meet you allkpop subscribers, I am veanii, a solo artist from Korea.
allkpop: Before you became veanii, you were on Mnet survival reality program ‘Girls Planet 999: Girls Saga’. How did your experience on the show shape your journey as an artist?
veanii: It's not common to get the chance to perform on a large stage in one's life, but I was able to get that opportunity through Girls Planet 999. Since I was young, I have always loved showcasing my talent and charm to others and performing on stage, regardless of its size. It was the same with Girls Planet 999. In a way, the last time I had the chance to be exposed to such a large audience was during the broadcast, which made it even more refreshing and enjoyable. That experience made me constantly crave the stage, and it drove me to work harder to perform on more stages and to make myself known. I think that's why I always give my best effort.
allkpop: What led you to choosing K-R&B over more traditional pop?
veanii: I've always liked the R&B genre. The biggest reason I chose this genre is the freedom it offers, allowing me to highlight and show my unique color rather than suppress it.
allkpop: How do you see the evolution of K-R&B within the broader landscape of Korean music?
veanii: It seems that short-form content is becoming more prominent these days, and so-called "challenge songs" are gaining popularity. There is definitely an element of fun and creativity in this trend, so it's not entirely negative. However, I do worry that the essence of various genres might become diluted, and if this trend continues, some truly great music might get overshadowed. Of course, I also need to work harder and put in more effort to research and create. But if each artist can confidently showcase their unique colors and produce high-quality works in various genres that reach the public, I believe that everyone, including myself, can stand out more distinctly in the Korean music market than we do now.
allkpop: Your newest single is called, “To A Higher Place” - tell us about the inspiration for this song.
veanii: The overall vibe was inspired by Kali Uchis. I love the unique floating feeling in many of her songs, and I thought I could create a similar mood with my voice. That's how I started working on the song. While pondering the theme, I realized that a beautiful love story that feels like it's taking you to a higher place would capture this feeling perfectly. This became the key point and title of the song, "To A Higher Place." Additionally, there are only a few lyrics in the chorus because I felt that a love that makes you feel like you're flying doesn't need many words. This was an intentional choice to emphasize that feeling.
allkpop: How does “To A Higher Place” differ from your previous releases?
veanii: The genre is City Pop, and although I haven't released many songs yet, most of them have been about breakups. However, this time, the song is a beautiful one that fits well with the overall mood of the track.
allkpop: Are there any artists or genres (K-Pop or not!) that have influenced your sound as veanii?
veanii: I listen to a variety of genres and artists without much preference, but I feel significantly influenced by Kali Uchis, Joyce Wrice, and KAYTRANADA. The songs I'm currently working on, which haven't been released yet, seem particularly influenced by them. Among these, I especially love KAYTRANADA's music. I enjoy House and Garage genres, which probably adds to this influence. This led to the creation of the song "TIME." I had always thought that if I made music on my own, I would challenge myself with these genres, and the process was incredibly fun. Most importantly, the final result turned out great, making it one of my favorite songs. I think I'll continue to explore these genres in the future.
allkpop: Could you describe your approach to crafting your stage persona as veanii? What led to the identity shift?
veanii: Before using the stage name veanii, I performed under the name JEOMi. It felt hastily put together, and even I didn't feel comfortable with it. I also felt that it wouldn't fit well with the music I wanted to create in the future, so I decided to change it. Many people have asked me what the name veanii means, but there isn't a huge significance behind it. I wanted to change my name but couldn't decide on what, and at that moment, I happened to be wearing a beanie. I love beanies so much that they feel like a part of me, so I thought, why not veanii? It might sound funny, but I think it's a pretty good name for playing globally. With this name, I aim to create music that isn't confined, reaching various countries and cultures.
allkpop: Could you share any anecdotes or memorable moments from your journey as an artist so far? Any moments that really resonated or wowed you?
veanii: Not long ago, I went out for a drink with my mom. While we were having a drink and chatting, I suddenly heard a familiar melody. It turned out to be my song. I was so surprised, but my mom was even more delighted, and seeing her so happy made me feel really good. It made me think about how much more pleased she would be if I became more successful and performed on bigger stages. That night, I felt like I received a new, positive motivation. Thinking about it again makes me feel strange and really happy.
allkpop: How do you envision the future of your music career unfolding in the next few years?
veanii: Honestly, I always keep in mind that the world might not easily accept my music. In the future, I might find myself walking a different path and living a new, stable life, but during my twenties, I want to devote my time and passion to the music I love and want to create. Although I have been involved in music since I was young, my solo activities, where I directly participate and create, have been less than a year, so I have a lot to improve on. In a way, I have nine years left, which I think is enough time. During this period, I want to listen to a lot of diverse music, study on my own, and more clearly define my direction. I aim to become an artist whose musical characteristics are immediately recognizable to listeners when they think of veanii.
I want to shed the title of former idol trainee and be remembered solely as the artist veanii. I want to connect with the public through various stages and content as well. While I'm currently releasing mainly singles, I have a strong desire to release an EP filled with solid and amazing songs. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I am steadily preparing for it in my own way.
allkpop: What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are also just starting out in the industry?
veanii: I'm a newbie myself, but I think it's important to know what kind of music you want to create. It's good to have a clear goal, even if it's not that fancy, and understand why you're doing it. I also struggled a lot with deciding what kind of music I should make, but in the end, I chose the direction that was the most interesting, ambitious, and fun for me. A friend of mine used to say that while working hard is important, doing well is even more crucial. It's quite challenging, isn't it? I'm constantly experiencing beneficial stress in my efforts to do well. Let's all keep up the good work!
allkpop: If you could describe the essence of veanii's music in three words, what would they be?
veanii: Challenge, Growth, Roulette
allkpop: Lastly, tell us what’s next for veanii! (Share upcoming releases, concerts, events, etc.)
veanii: I don't have a specific plan yet, but I'm continuously writing various songs. I think I will probably select and release the songs to sort out in a tournament-style process.
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Plastic monster eww