After a decade of anticipation, WINNER member and solo artist LEE SEUNGHOON is back in the music scene with an album that "encapsulates all the moments of his life so far." While his fellow members are currently fulfilling their duties in the military, excluding JINU, LEE SEUNGHOON dropped his first official solo album [MY TYPE] that his fans have long waited for.

"'How can I encapsulate who LEE SEUNGHOON is in this album?', 'How can I satisfy both fans and the general public?'... That's where our thoughts began," he said in the 9-minute long presentation about crafting the album, [MY TYPE]. With such questions that challenged the artist to reveal new facets of himself through the project, LEE SEUNGHOON surely was able to capture his authenticity as an artist. "I wanted to show the real core within me."

From the title itself, the album reflects the artist's type of music. [MY TYPE] boasts four tracks, including the title song of the same name, 'Thinkin' Bad Things', 'Do Re Mi Fa Sol', and 'BROTHER & SISTER', a record that is filled with LEE SEUNGHOON's musical tastes. "The title track unfolds based on rhythmical beats and a heavy bass," he explained in the video.

Not only did he take part in producing the songs, but he also partook in the overall planning, editing, and styling, among others, showing beyond doubt that this album truly represents LEE SEUNGHOON. “I'm proud of how the album turned out,” he said during the interview with allkpop.

After the release of [MY TYPE], we had the wonderful opportunity to talk to LEE SEUNGHOON about his long-awaited solo debut album, the creative process, and more. Read our exclusive interview with the artist below!

allkpop: Hi, LEE SEUNGHOON! Thanks for your time, and congratulations on your recent album! First of all, please introduce us to your new album, [MY TYPE]. What do you want to convey with it? What was it that made you choose [MY TYPE] as your first solo album?

LEE SEUNGHOON: For the fans who have waited a long time, for myself, and for WINNER, releasing a solo album was something I truly needed to do. The title [MY TYPE] perfectly reflects my personality with its straightforward and simple vibe. The album encapsulates my thoughts, musical growth, and preferences over the past 10 years since my debut. I have put a lot of effort into every detail of the production, and this album is my way of showcasing my abilities as a producer.

allkpop: What was the reaction of your fellow members on your solo debut? Do you have anything to share with us?

LEE SEUNGHOON: My members have always been my greatest support, each in their own way. JINU visited the Story Film set to cheer me on, MINO contributed to the lyrics, and YOON gave me valuable advice on the music and offered significant encouragement, despite his busy schedule. After releasing my solo album, I finally understood why my members felt lonely during their solo activities, and I regret not being there to support them more at that time.

allkpop: You took part in writing and composing all the tracks. Could you walk us through how you worked on all tracks and collaborated with other producers to make the best out of the songs? Why do you think ‘MY TYPE’, ‘Thinkin’ Bad Things’, ‘Do Re Mi Fa Sol’, and ‘BROTHER & SISTER’ are the perfect tracks to fit in one EP?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I focused on making sure the tracks flowed seamlessly together and told a cohesive story throughout the album. I aimed to create something distinct from the usual YG style, so I actively collaborated with external producer teams. I put a lot of effort into exploring various concepts and music genres. 

The track ‘Thinkin' Bad Things’ is where I focused most on the vocals, showcasing a wide range of tones. ‘Do Re Mi Fa Sol’ features a lively, bouncy melody and cute lyrics, making it appealing to younger listeners. ‘BROTHER & SISTER’ captures the energetic vibe I bring to live performances at concerts and festivals.

allkpop: You participated in producing the entire album. Is there a particular lyric or line from any of the songs you love the most and are proud of coming up with?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I love all the tracks on the album, but the title track ‘MY TYPE’ is especially meaningful to me. I loved the story behind the title ‘MY TYPE’ and its witty yet straightforward nature, which really reflects who I am and allows me to express myself genuinely. It gave me the confidence to enjoy performing on stage. Choosing it as the title track involved a lot of thought and multiple re-recordings. With MINO's help and advice, I was able to achieve a result that I am truly satisfied with.

allkpop: What do you love about this album? How do you think [MY TYPE] reflects the artistry and individuality of LEE SEUNGHOON? Is there something new you were able to pull off from yourself during the process?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I've always felt that I'm good at coming up with creative ideas. By sharing the story of an ordinary guy like “LEE SEUNGHOON”, I aimed to connect with people and create songs that everyone can relate to, making them think, "This is my story!"

Instead of sticking to my usual style, I collaborated with experts from various fields and actively communicated with them. I paid close attention to the texture of each instrument and the nuances of my voice. Being involved in everything from composing and writing to the mixing process made this album a significant accomplishment for me.

allkpop: You’re known for your signature witty persona, which is also shown in your ‘MY PRESENTATION’. Are there any memorable or funny moments that happened during the album creation process that you want to share with us?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I put a lot of thought into making the album and promotions true to who I am as “LEE SEUNGHOON”. What stands out to me isn’t just one specific moment, but rather the busy yet enjoyable days filled with daily meetings with my team. We often made last-minute changes, which made the tight schedule challenging for everyone. I want to extend a huge thank you to all the team members who worked so hard with me.

allkpop: I heard that you planned the promotions for this; you also directed the visuals and everything — that’s impressive! How does it feel to be able to control most aspects of producing this album? Did it bring you a sense of accomplishment? Were you satisfied enough with how everything came out?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I was involved in every aspect of the album, from music and planning to ideation, editing, visuals, styling, and even casting. I focused on every little detail, including the seemingly trivial ones. Going to the office and having daily meetings proved more challenging than I expected, but I learned a lot from the process. I'm proud of how the album turned out, as it reflects my personal tastes and style, which was exactly what I aimed for.

allkpop: From producing and directing to editing and styling, what was the most challenging part of the album preparation process?

LEE SEUNGHOON: Collaborating with Kian84 on the story film was both the most challenging and unforgettable experience. From brainstorming the storyline and organizing numerous ideas to casting actors, finding shooting locations, managing schedules, styling, and editing and producing teaser videos, I was involved in every step of the process. Even though it was just a three-minute video, I realized it required a significant amount of time and effort. What truly mattered to me was the journey itself.

allkpop: What kind of development have you felt within yourself as you prepared for this album? For example, you’re now much more hands-on with the things you put out to the world compared to your early days. How would you describe your growth throughout your journey?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I've been continuously reflecting on the kind of artist I want to be, and am committed to continue growing as a K-pop artist. Although I participated in every aspect of the album production, I couldn’t have achieved any of it alone. Whenever I missed something, my team was there to fill the gaps. Moving forward, I plan to keep collaborating with various experts to produce outstanding work and showcase excellent results.

allkpop: Do you have a vision of what you want to do in the future? Still in the music industry, right? Or do you want to try something else?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I would have to say the most important thing for me is to continue doing what I love, and I will work hard to excel while staying in tune with fast-changing trends. I aim to contribute to my personal growth and that of my team ‘WINNER’, as well as to inspire the younger generation.

allkpop: I read in an interview from 7 years ago that when you release something as a group, you usually look out for your fans’ reactions because if they give a positive response, you said that it means that you’re headed in the right direction. Is there any reaction from the public or fans to your first solo album that particularly stands out to you?

LEE SEUNGHOON: As it was my first solo album, I received a lot of support and congratulatory messages. I was especially grateful for the trust and support people showed in my choices and opinions throughout the album preparation process.

allkpop: Lastly, do you have any final message for allkpop readers and your fans who have long waited for your solo debut? And what are your goals?

LEE SEUNGHOON: I know my fans have been waiting for my solo album for a long time, as I frequently received numerous questions about it during my social media live sessions. I worked hard to create an unforgettable album for them, and I will continue to strive to present even better versions of myself in the future.