As one of K-pop's most accomplished performers, TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Yeonjun has built a reputation for commanding the stage with precision and charisma. But with his second solo mini album, NO LABELS: PART 02, the singer-rapper turns inward instead of outward. Released eight months after NO LABELS: PART 01, the six-track album sees Yeonjun once again taking an active role in songwriting and choreography while effortlessly blending rap rock, funk rock, R\&B, pop and alternative hip hop.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Yeonjun opens up about trusting his instincts, leaning on his TOMORROW X TOGETHER bandmates, embracing vulnerability and why growth comes from staying honest rather than chasing reinvention. He also speaks about the love he has received from fans in India. If his first solo outing was about introducing himself beyond the group, NO LABELS: PART 02 is about discovering parts of himself he had yet to fully explore.
Excerpts:
Q. People often describe you as an all-rounder. Does that ever make it harder for people to see who you are at your core as an artist?
I’m incredibly grateful to be called an all-rounder, but honestly, I don’t see myself as someone who has everything figured out. I think I’m still in the process of figuring out who I am as an artist. So, for this album, instead of trying to add more, I focused on stripping things back and showing a more honest side of myself. That’s why I went for simple styling like a white T-shirt and denim for the album photos and music video and tried to capture more natural moments in the CHOI YEONJUN video. I wanted it to feel more real, not overly polished.
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Q. NO LABELS challenges the idea that artists need to fit into neat categories. When did you begin trusting your own instincts over other people’s expectations?
I think I started to trust myself a lot more while working on my mixtape GGUM. I used to doubt myself a lot, but going through that process, thinking deeply about each choice and facing those doubts, I naturally started to believe more in my own decisions.
Q. If PART 01 introduced who you are, what does PART 02 add to that story?
If PART 01 was about showing who I am, PART 02 is more about discovering sides of myself that I didn’t fully know before. It became more about stepping outside the image I had of myself. That’s why I feel like it really fits the idea of NO LABELS.
Q. Working on a solo album is very different from creating with TOMORROW X TOGETHER. How much did you rely on your own instincts, and how much did your members shape this album?
Working on a solo album can feel pretty isolating at times, so I really appreciated having my members by my side. They listened to the tracks for PART 02 and shared thoughtful feedback, which gave me a lot of confidence throughout the process. There were moments when some of the members got a little emotional listening to Long Way Long Ride, and even without saying anything, I felt like I could understand how they felt. Moments like that really give me a lot of strength.
Q. After every performance, what stays with you more: what went right or what you wish you had done differently?
I don’t think there is anything that can be absolutely perfect and there’s always room for improvement. Even after all these years of performing, that mindset hasn’t changed. Instead of letting that pressure get to me, I channel it into preparing as much as I can before stepping on stage.
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Q. Fans know your confidence on stage, but your solo music reveals a quieter side. Which version feels more authentic today?
People often see the confident, energetic version of me on stage, but that’s only one side of who I am. I also have a quieter, more reflective side, and that’s what inspired Long Way Long Ride. I wanted the song to capture the honest emotions of someone who still feels vulnerable, even while living in the spotlight.
Q. As a songwriter, how do you know an idea is truly yours?
When I’m writing lyrics, I usually start with something I’ve genuinely experienced, so the emotions naturally come from a real place. For this album in particular, I wanted to end on a note of encouragement to myself, which is why I included my own name in Long Way Long Ride. Because it’s rooted in my own experiences, I never questioned whether the story belonged to me. It always felt completely personal and it brings back all the emotion whenever I’m performing.
Q. Has making solo music changed the way you approach TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s group music?
Working on solo music actually made me hold myself to an even higher standard. Whether it’s a solo project or a group album, I never want either one to feel like I’m giving less than my best. The difference is simply where my attention goes. With the group, I think about the team and how we create something together. With my solo work, I get to explore parts of myself that don’t naturally come out in the group. Learning how to switch between those two mindsets has probably been the biggest lesson.
Q. Has your definition of a great performance changed over the years? Is it technical precision or emotional honesty?
I don’t think you can separate technical precision from emotional honesty. A performance feels complete only when both are there. Ice Cream pushed me to think about every movement in the choreography and made me focus on expressing what I was feeling emotionally. To me, a great performance is where technique and emotion naturally come together.
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Q. Reinvention is often expected in K-pop. How do you keep evolving without chasing the next version of yourself?
I try not to change just for the sake of doing something different. I spend more time thinking about who I am at that moment and what feels honest to me. If I stay true to that, I think growth comes naturally. While PART 01 delivered that intensity both visually and sonically through heavy genres and bold styling, PART 02 feels calmer on the surface but still carries a certain energy underneath.
Q. Did the success of your solo debut add pressure while making this album?
I actually felt a little more relaxed this time around. Preparing for PART 01 taught me that putting too much pressure on myself doesn’t necessarily make the result better. This time, I wanted to trust the work I’d already put in and enjoy the process more. I think that mindset helped me be more honest, both in the music and on stage.
Q. Years from now, what do you hope people say about Yeonjun the solo artist?
I hope people look back on this album and feel like it revealed a side of me they hadn’t seen before. If it also reaches people who had never heard my music before, that would make me really happy.
Q. Many younger artists look up to you. Has that changed the creative risks you’re willing to take?
It’s something I’m really grateful for. Of course, it comes with a sense of responsibility, but I try not to see that as pressure. I see it as motivation to keep improving and to set a good example through my work.
Q. What was your members’ reaction when they first heard NO LABELS: PART 02?
Feedback from my members always gives me confidence that my choices were right. While working on the songs, I kind of guessed which track would be whose favourite, and after I played the whole album to them, it was impressive to see that I almost got them right. They each picked their favourite tracks and even gave me specific reasons why. I felt understood, and could feel how much they resonated with my intentions on a deeper level. On top of that, I also got a huge confidence boost when they complimented me on certain tracks that I didn’t expect them to like.
Q. Can perfection and vulnerability exist together?
I think perfection and vulnerability can coexist. In fact, I believe that showing your vulnerable side is actually part of the process of getting closer to what we think of as perfection. When you face your flaws or weaknesses and keep working on them, it naturally leads to growth. So, in a way, vulnerability pushes you to work harder, which ultimately results in perfection. That’s why I see them as something that can exist together. At the same time, the more I work, the more I realise that there’s no such thing as absolute perfection. I think it’s something you keep chasing rather than something you can fully reach.
Q. Who do you turn to when you need conversations about music or staying grounded since you are friends with many of the artists from the industry?
I’m lucky to have people around me who I can have honest conversations with, whether they’re fellow artists or the vocal trainers I’ve worked closely with. Whenever I’m thinking about music or trying to figure out where I want to go next as an artist, they’re the people I naturally turn to.
Yeonjun of TXT in a still from promotions of No Labels" Part 02. Credit: BigHit Music/HYBE
Q. K-pop’s footprint in India has grown steadily over the years, with TOMORROW X TOGETHER finding a dedicated audience along the way. While you haven’t had the chance to perform here yet, what has stood out to you about Indian fans?
Indian fans honestly have such a special, incredible energy. Although we haven’t performed in India before or had the chance to meet each other in person yet, I truly hope we can make that happen sometime soon.
Q. With HYBE expanding its presence in India, would collaborating with an Indian musician be something you’d like to explore?
Every collaboration teaches me something new and pushes me to think about music differently. I think working with an Indian artist would do the same, and I’d be excited to discover what we could create together.
Q. If someone discovers you through NO LABELS: PART 02 before TOMORROW X TOGETHER, what do you hope they learn about you?
People often see me as someone confident and intense, but that’s only one side of me. I hope this album helps people see that I’m actually much more layered than they might expect.
NO LABELS: PART 02 features six tracks that reflect different facets of Yeonjun’s artistry. Led by the summery title track Ice Cream, the mini album also includes Vanilla, Baby Wassup?, No More Disco, Fxxking Star and Long Way Long Ride.
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Published On:
Jul 21, 2026 11:29 IST