EXCLUSIVE | GEMINI gets candid about first album 'Inside Out' and his journey
GEMINI is an up and coming Korean R&B artist who has already made a name for himself in the music industry. Even though he debuted in 2020 under GroovyRoom’s label Area, he had already been roped in for projects like H1GHR MUSIC’s ‘Champagne Diet’ and Jay Park’s track ‘Trip’. GEMINI debuted with his single ‘Going’ and now has dropped his first studio album ‘Inside Out’.
GEMINI first teased his album with the hit pre-release single ‘MIA’ which featured none other than CAMO and WOODZ. He then released ‘Inside Out’ and its title track ‘UFO’ ft Seori on November 24. MEAWW had a chance to ask the singer about his journey from his pre-debut days up to the release of ‘Inside Out’. In an exclusive interview with MEAWW, GEMINI got honest about his music-making process, his inspiration and future projects which include a European tour.
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MEAWW: Congratulations on the release of ‘MIA’, your fans loved it! What made you choose ‘MIA’ as the pre-release for your 1st album?
GEMINI: Since planning the album, I’ve wanted ‘MIA’ to be the pre-release track. It had the mood that I’ve been pursuing. Also, it made a solid outro of the album.
MEAWW: What message are you trying to share with the song ‘MIA’?
GEMINI: I was hooked on the theme of ‘MIA’- MIA means “someone lost”. I wanted to share the message that I lost myself. I tried to deliver the sad emotions, that I could conceal my emptiness only if I lose myself.
MEAWW: ‘MIA’ also features CAMO and WOODZ. How did that partnership come to happen?
GEMINI: I wanted to collaborate with artists who could fit the mood of ‘MIA’. Hwi-Min of GroovyRoom recommended CAMO, and I said okay as her voice would make the song much sexier. After discussing with Hwi-Min and Boycold, we proceeded with WOODZ, whose sexy and sweet voice added strength to the track. I’m so satisfied with the overall result.
MEAWW: You’ve had a very interesting journey even before your debut in 2020. You were featured in H1GHR MUSIC’s ‘Champagne Diet’ and released ‘Trip’ with Jay Park this year. How has the experience been?
GEMINI: It was an honor to join ‘Champagne Diet’ and ‘Trip’ with Jay Park. These two tracks were so fun to work on since they had frolicsome vibes within the hip-hop genre. I was grateful to Jay [Park] as I could learn many things from these experiences.
MEAWW: And then you went on to become the first artist to sign with GroovyRoom’s label, AREA. Is this how you saw your musical career taking off or was it different from what you imagined?
GEMINI: I did not foresee this from the beginning, but I did imagine this a little bit, ever since I had some musical interactions with GroovyRoom.
MEAWW: You were also selected for the Korean Tourism Campaign ‘Feel the Rhythm’. Are there any other projects you would like to try like a K-drama OST or a CF (commercial) theme song?
GEMINI: If I could, I would love to take part in OST projects for movies or dramas. I would definitely enjoy it as I favor OST-like music.
MEAWW: Even though you are known as an R&B singer, you can rap, dance and even produce your own songs. What got you into the music-making process?
GEMINI: It happened naturally — I needed producing skills to create music that I think of. So I tried spontaneously to comprehend the process.
MEAWW: What was your first impression when you heard the final version of ‘UFO’? Why did you select it as the title track?
GEMINI: Frankly speaking, I do not seek perfection, so I tried not to overreach with the final version of ‘UFO’. The reason for selecting it as the title track is rather simple. It sounded the best to me, I valued it the most, and I favored it enough to make it the title track.
MEAWW: You’ve collaborated with so many amazing artists and now Seori is being featured in your album’s title track ‘UFO’. Are there any other artists you would like to collab with next?
GEMINI: I want to collaborate with Baek Yerin someday. I have a song ready to work on with her!
MEAWW: What was your inspiration behind your first album ‘Inside Out’?
GEMINI: I love watching movies. While working on the album, I was hooked on to the movie ‘Fight Club’. It made me ponder on my inner self and ego.
MEAWW: The music video for ‘UFO’ was so cool. Any TMIs while filming the music video?
GEMINI: I hope you enjoyed the music video! The outdoor scene was shot in front of a solar power plant. I was wearing a hoodie which was open at the shoulder — so my shoulder got a burn. Another TMI — I only slept for an hour on the day before the shooting.
MEAWW: You have participated in every aspect of making the album. Were there any challenges?
GEMINI: Since it was my first album, I had many things to figure out and think of. I was so stressed sometimes that my head went blank.
MEAWW: Which b-side track from ‘Inside Out’ happens to be your favorite?
GEMINI: I love the title track ‘UFO’, but if I would have to choose then ‘INSIDE OUT’, the intro of this album! It starts this album by telling everything about it, and I like that.
MEAWW: Fans also hope to see you perform live with the songs of your first album. Any plans for a concert or a tour anytime soon?
GEMINI: I get to do my first offline concert in Europe! I will be performing in the UK, France, and the Netherlands. I hope many European fans come and have a great time.
MEAWW: Finally, any last words for fans who were waiting for your first album?
GEMINI: I sincerely thank everyone who likes and supports me from far away. I hope you enjoy my first album ‘Inside Out’. It might be a hasty reference, but this album is just an appetizer. Please look forward to my next move and my new music!
Watch the music video for ‘UFO’ below.