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Ilhoon. Photo from Carpenterz Art Republic

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Ilhoon on painting, music and finding courage from fans

Alyssa Carmina Gonzales

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738213730070photo_2025-01-30_12-56-21.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ilhoon. <em>Photo from Carpenterz Art Republic</em></span></span></span>The sound of waves crashing against the shore blends with a mellow, dreamy tune inside a quaint two-story building, where paintings — including one seemingly depicting flowers and leaves, and a trio dominated by shades of blue — adorn the walls, breathing life to the pale gray interiors.</div><p>Such was the scene at &quot;Tiny Ark,&quot; an exhibit held in October in Seongsu, a trendy neighborhood in Seoul. Over three days, the exhibition drew numerous visitors — many of whom came to see the works of its featured artist: K-pop star Jung Ilhoon.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173821264763520241004_114701.jpg" style="width:959px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo from the Tiny Ark exhibit in Seoul, South Korea last October 2024. <em>Alyssa Carmina Gonzales, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>For four years, Ilhoon remained out of the public eye following his departure from the boy band BTOB, which he had been part of since its debut in 2012. He left the group in 2020 after becoming embroiled in a drug-related controversy.</div><p>During his time away from the spotlight, Ilhoon stayed at a friend’s house in the United Kingdom and traveled around Europe. There, he found solace in an unexpected creative outlet: painting. Through this newfound form of expression, he embarked on a journey of healing.</p><p>“Travelling and seeing many exhibitions, I became attracted to painting. Previously, I had only expressed creativity through the art of music, but I realized that painting could also adequately express my emotions, and I began painting alone with passion,” Ilhoon said through a translator in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“This became a significant help in transforming the stagnant time [of my life] into a healing period,” he said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173821274447220250129_153233.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Paintings from the &#x27;Tiny Ark&#x27; exhibit in Seoul, South Korea last October 2024. <em>Alyssa Carmina Gonzales, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173821279167020250129_153134.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Paintings from the &#x27;Tiny Ark&#x27; exhibit in Seoul, South Korea last October 2024. <em>Alyssa Carmina Gonzales, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>This passion for painting culminated in &quot;Tiny Ark,&quot; an exhibit inspired by the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. Through the showcase, the 30-year-old artist was able to reconnect with his fans and once again feel their unwavering support.</div><p>“During the exhibition, many more fans came than I expected, which really surprised and moved me a lot. It also made me realize that I need to work hard to continue providing good artistic experiences in the future, and even now, I am constantly reflecting on how to keep that promise,” Ilhoon said.</p><p>“‘Tiny Ark’ was an invitation to my fans into my world. It was a space that reflected my contemplation of the past, my values on life, and where love exists. I hoped that fans could resonate with these aspects,” he added.</p><div><strong>Break from music</strong></div><p>Ilhoon, who reportedly has over a hundred songs registered with the Korea Music Copyright Association, said he has been making music since his teenage years but took a one-year break during his hiatus.</p><p>He believes his break from music was necessary. “I think if I hadn’t had that time for myself, I probably would have lived a difficult life for a long time,” he said.</p><p>“I think the previous version of me was unable to live a truly beautiful life, as I was consumed by anxiety and emptiness. I was chased by imaginary fears of my own imagination, which led me to make poor decisions repeatedly,” he added.</p><p>When asked how much has changed since his hiatus, Ilhoon answered: “I feel like I am in the process of changing, not that I have already changed. I will make sure that I never disappoint my fans again, but before that, I believe that everyone, including myself, is continually changing in their own ways.”</p><p>What’s constant for Ilhoon, however, is his commitment to music, which remains at the core of his creative expression, even as he adds painting as a new outlet. His new single, “Lullaby,” stands as proof.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lFiH2yUpWTk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Released in November, “Lullaby” weaves together themes of comfort and personal growth. The track is Ilhoon’s debut under Carpenterz Art Republic, which also supports his painting endeavors.</p><p>“Lullaby” also serves as his first official offering since “Spoiler” in 2019 (aside from a duet with BTOB’s Sungjae, which surfaced in 2020).</p><p>In an Instagram Live session, Ilhoon mentioned writing the song sometime in 2021, but “thinking about it now, it seems it was made a bit earlier than that.”</p><p>“After spending over a year without touching my music work, I began interacting with various artists... There was a time when I started working on music again after a long break, and I worked almost all night. This song was created at dawn that day,” he recalled in the interview.</p><p>“A few days after making this song, I remember telling a fellow artist, ‘If I have a chance to let my fans listen to my music, I definitely would want to play this song for them.’ I thought that the song itself was really good, and it is also the song I hold dearest among all the songs I’ve created.”</p><p>It seems that “Lullaby” was just the beginning. Earlier this month, Ilhoon announced the upcoming release of a 12-track album titled “The Adam” and invited fans to help him choose a pre-release single, set to drop in February.</p><p>Below is the rest of our interview with Ilhoon.</p><div><strong>Q: What motivated you to finally release music again?</strong></div><p>While I was reflecting on myself, I naturally began to write music and express my emotions. In the process, I realized that many fans were curious and worried about my sudden disappearance, which gave me courage. </p><p>I wanted to share my honest feelings with my fans, hoping it would be a special gift to those who were hurt. I felt that sharing the comfort and special emotions I experienced while creating the music was the best I could do, and that led me to release the song.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:663px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738213840790photo_2025-01-30_12-56-22.jpg" style="width:663px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Carpenterz Art Republic</em></span></span></span><strong>Q: Since you’re involved in both art and music, how do these two creative pursuits complement each other for you?</strong></div><p>I think that all senses interact and there is a point of intersection. Both music and painting are processes and results of creation. I do not wish to say that I am as confident in painting as I am in making music, but I believe that there are no limitations in the relationship between an artist and an audience who strive to express, feel, and empathize with something as it is.</p><div><strong>Q: What are your goals for 2025 and how do you plan to achieve them?</strong></div><p>Rather than discussing other goals, I primarily want to become closer to my fans again and create many opportunities to do so. I want to continue to create spaces for communication both online and offline, spend quality time together and build many memories together.</p><div><strong>Q: You’ve also acknowledged your fans from the Philippines, especially when you read a comment during your recent Instagram Live saying, “Please come to Manila next year (2025).” What message do you have for your Filipino fans who have been waiting for you?</strong></div><p>I feel the special love of my fans in the Philippines. Although we are far away and it has been too long since we last met, and maybe we haven’t actually met in person yet, I believe there are fans who support me. I want to rush over right now if I could and meet many of my fans in the Philippines to share laughter and conversations. That time will surely come. I will pray for the day we can meet. Thank you so much. I love you, Philippines!</p><div><em>Translation by Kyungmin Kim</em></div>

<p>K-pop artist Ilhoon talks about his newfound love for painting and his unwavering commitment to making music.</p>

K-pop artist Ilhoon talks about his newfound love for painting and his unwavering commitment to making music.

K-pop artist Ilhoon on painting, music and finding courage from fans

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K-pop artist Ilhoon on painting, music and finding courage from fans

Alyssa Carmina Gonzales,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 31, 2025 08:00 AM PHT

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K-pop

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Jung Ilhoon

Lullaby

Carpenterz Art Republic

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