It has been over a decade since he debuted as a member of the globally renowned boy band EXO, but CHEN's artistry and heavenly vocals remain timeless. Now in his 30s, he has adopted a more mature perspective and approach to life. This has led to him opening a new "door" to endless activities and opportunities as he continues to reflect on his journey.

Shout-out from CHEN to allkpop:

In May, CHEN returned with an album full of tracks that tell deep stories, instilled with emotions, titled 'DOOR.' This marked the singer's new project in one year and six months following the release of his third mini-album 'Last Scene' in 2022. 

Composed of ballads, R&B, and medium-tempo tracks, 'DOOR' is an even more special musical project as CHEN took part in contributing to the lyrics of the five out of six songs on the album. With this, the listeners can expect a deep connection between CHEN's musical colors and the tracks "Empty," "Dandelion," "PLAYLIST (Feat. HAON, BE'O)," "Fall In Love Again," "Starlight," and "Remember."

Four months later, CHEN surprised fans with yet another soulful and heartfelt release of the tracks "Love You" and "Brighter than" under the single album 'Beyond:.' In September, CHEN embarked on his solo tour in Asia, aptly titled 'Beyond the Door,' kicking off in Seoul, followed by stops in Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and concluding in Manila.

"You are truly my sunrise and of course, my stars. This is how I really feel: for me to shine on stage, you are the sunrise that makes me shine brighter on stage. I'm not the person who lights up the stage but a person who really receives the lights you send to me for me to shine brighter," said CHEN during his final leg of 'Beyond the Door' fan concert.

Ahead of his sold-out concert in Manila (presented by Wilbros Live), allkpop had the honor to sit down with CHEN backstage to talk about his recent album 'DOOR,' fan concert tour, and his goals for 2025. Check out our exclusive interview with CHEN below!

allkpop: Is there a deeper meaning behind your album and tour names revolving around “Beyond the Door”? Does this mean a new start for CHEN, and we’ll get to see more of you beyond that door? 

CHEN: The album title ‘DOOR’ reflects my desire to give back the love I've received so far by extending an invitation to my fans. Following that, ‘Beyond the Door’ represents the world that lies beyond that invited door. In this world, I wanted to share joy and happiness with my fans, which is why I decided to name this fan concert 'Beyond the Door.' Simply put, my goal was to show my fans a world filled with all my emotions, a world that belongs to just us that we can enjoy together.

allkpop: If someone were to step into your world, how would you describe it? What does your world look like? And what quality do you believe is the reason why your fans have stayed with you for this long?

CHEN: I would describe that world as a place filled with bright light where only my fans and I exist. I also imagine that over time, memories will gradually be built up in this world. I still don’t quite understand how my fans have stayed by my side for so long. I don’t even know why they find me cute. (laughs) But regardless of the reason, I am grateful that they love and support me.

allkpop: You've been participating in music-making procedures for a while now, but how did it feel when you did it this time for your solo album, ‘DOOR’? What was the process like, and did you feel any change in your approach to expressing yourself through writing?

CHEN: When working on the ‘DOOR’ album, I was involved in the music-making process for most of the songs, which makes me feel a deeper attachment to this album. What I enjoyed the most was pouring my heart into each track, and thinking about what I wanted to convey to my fans. In the past, I used to find expressing myself quite challenging, but through this album, I’ve learned to approach it more comfortably. Even with simple expressions, as long as they carried my true feelings, I chose not to overcomplicate or wrap them in unnecessary layers.

allkpop: You mentioned in an interview that you’ve taken the time to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. What has this process been like?

CHEN: I am very strict with myself. I’ve realized that I want to give myself more breathing room. I tend to overthink things, but I’ve been reflecting a lot on the importance of letting go and lightening my burdens. This year, through the album, fan con, and other activities, I felt the most joyful and relaxed I’ve ever been while working.

allkpop: Tell us more about your experience of successfully holding your solo tour in Asia. Are there any specific moments or core memories that you remember or have had an impact on you?

CHEN: First off, it’s an honor to be here in Manila and to meet my fans in the Philippines. I focused on visiting many fans in person to share the happiness through this tour and I’m truly grateful that we were able to wrap it up successfully. Every city holds precious moments, but what makes me happiest is the connection I feel with fans in each place I visit.

allkpop: How do you usually prepare for a solo concert, and what things run through your mind once you're on stage? 

CHEN: On stage, I always think about delivering happiness to those who came to see me, and that’s been my goal throughout this fan concert. I’ve prepared each performance with my fans in mind, from the fun game ‘CHEN-llenge’ to moments that you might find cute or be proud of such as performances showcasing my vocal skills. To me, the show is a shared breath between the artist and the audience, and I perform as someone who bridges that connection.

allkpop: We’re nearing the end of 2024, share with us your goals, hopes, and plans for next year. What can we look forward to from you next year?

CHEN: For 2025, I’d like to try everything I can. As I look back on 2024, I’ve gained the confidence that I can do anything if I set my mind to it. Even if I don’t achieve a big goal, that’s okay — I’ve realized I can still take smaller steps in different ways. My goal for 2025 is to stay healthy, stay active, and connect with my fans as much as possible.

Socials:

Twitter/X: @CHEN_INB100
TikTok: @chen_inb100
YouTube: Chen

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