The singer-songwriter, who has just released a new album under her own label, tells Tatler about finding courage and freedom in her creativity
South Korean singer-songwriter Suran returns with a new album titled Flyin’ (Part 1). Released on March 23, the new album celebrates the freedom that comes with being a solo artist—it is the first to be launched under Suran’s own independent record label S-tasy, which she established last year.
Flyin’ is the third in an album trilogy, following 2017’s Walkin’ and 2019’s Jumpin’. Its lead single, Diamonds, is a R&B track featuring Taeyong of K-pop boy band NCT—both had also participated in its writing and composing.
Suran, whose real name is Shin Su-ran, is also known by other stage names Elena and Baily Shoo. She debuted in 2014 as part of the K-pop duo Lodia.
In 2017, she released the single Wine, a collaboration with Suga of BTS, producer Slow Rabbit and rapper Changmo. It peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart in South Korea and sold over 500,000 digital downloads, cementing her status as a K-pop star to watch.
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How would you describe Flyin’ (Part 1)?
This is Suran's new fantasy world. I took a “spiritual” approach to paint my own dream world. It is a reignition of my passion and dreams.
It follows Walkin’ and Jumpin’—and you can take the literal definition of each album to understand them. They follow the rhythm of my life. Flyin’ is the last part of the series and it also means a fresh new start.
What’s the story behind your collaboration with Taeyong?
Zayson, a producer for Flyin’ (Part 1), is a mutual friend of ours, so we all got together for a recording session. We started talking about working on Diamonds quite naturally. I didn’t really expect to complete a song with a video, and then include it in an album—but I’m very satisfied with the final music and video, because they really complete my vision of “fantasy” in the song.
I’m very thankful to Taeyong for working with me. He has a great, powerful energy that brings out the most of everything. I really enjoyed working with his amazing passion and positive attitude.
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