For Yeonjun, labels don’t matter anymore.
The 26-year-old member of Tomorrow X Together (TXT) has entered a new chapter — one defined by freedom, creativity, and self-discovery. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter from Seoul, the K-pop star opened up about his debut solo EP, No Labels: Part One, and why following his heart — not expectations — is what truly guides him.
“Rather than trying to meet everyone’s expectations, I just try to focus on making music that I truly love and believe in,” he said.
From TXT’s Eldest to Solo Artist
Since debuting in 2019 under BigHit Music, Yeonjun has been the eldest member of TXT — a group that has grown from bright, youthful rookies to full-fledged artists exploring bolder sounds and emotions.
Now, with No Labels, Yeonjun steps out on his own for the first time. The six-track EP is a genre-blending showcase that moves fluidly between moods and sounds, capturing a more personal side of the singer.
“This album had to be 100 percent me,” he said. “It wasn’t about being different from TXT — it was about expressing who I am.”
A Journey of Self-Expression
Yeonjun didn’t just lend his voice to No Labels — he co-wrote lyrics, composed music, and even helped choreograph performances. “I could just get a song and fit into it,” he explained. “But it’s more fun to actually write the lyrics, compose, and tell the story myself. That process helped me find who I really am.”
Creating a solo record also came with new pressures. “Physically, it was a lot,” he admitted. “I had to write, compose, direct, and confirm choreography. I barely had personal time. But it was worth it — it felt like another youth for me.”
Breaking Rules with ‘No Labels’
True to its name, No Labels refuses to be boxed in. The project features an “omnibus-style” music video combining three songs — “Coma,” “Let Me Tell You,” and “Talk to You.” Yeonjun said the choice wasn’t about storytelling but about “finding visuals that matched the right energy.”
On the lead single “Talk to You,” which he helped compose, Yeonjun explored imagination over autobiography. “It’s not really about me,” he said. “It’s based on things I’ve seen, heard, or imagined. Sometimes, writing like that is even more freeing.”
Learning to Stand Alone
Unlike in TXT, where collaboration is constant, Yeonjun says he carried most of No Labels alone. “I didn’t really lean on anyone,” he shared. “There wasn’t time. I just had to think deeply, push through, and make it on my own. That process helped me grow.”
And through that process, he found confidence in the very idea behind the album’s title. “Before this, I’m not sure if I was someone who could be described as having ‘no labels,’” he reflected. “Now, I think I’m closer to that person. It’s a phrase that really boosts my confidence.”
The Artist He Wants to Be
As for how he hopes people see him, Yeonjun keeps it simple. “Of course it’d be great if people love the album,” he said with a smile. “But that’s not the point. I just want to make music I love — that feels the most meaningful. I want to be seen as someone who makes music the way he wants.”
