Ryu Sujeong is venturing into new musical territory by collaborating with American singer XYLØ on her second EP, 2ROX. Its title is a combination of “R” for Ryu Sujeong and “OX” for XYLØ, with the “2” representing the work they did together. This “dark pop” collaboration marks a significant shift for Sujeong. She’s best known for her work with Lovelyz, a K-pop girl group whose discography is predominantly composed of brighter fare.
“Dark pop” is a subgenre of pop music characterized by its moodier, more introspective, and often melancholic tone, compared to mainstream pop music. This genre combines elements of pop with darker, more experimental themes and sounds. These can include elements of electronic, indie, and alternative music, often resulting in a sound that’s both catchy and haunting.
류수정(Ryu Sujeong) ‘Fallen Angel (feat. XYLØ)’ M/V
Sujeong expressed her enthusiasm for this genre during a recent sit-down with the media. “Dark pop songs boost my mood in a different way than bright songs do. I’ve been enjoying the genre for a while, so I wanted to release an album in the dark pop genre,” she said.
Sujeong herself reached out to XYLØ, driven by her desire to reach a global audience. “My career has been focused on Korean audiences. I wanted overseas listeners to discover my music, so I worked with an American artist. XYLØ replied saying she, as a K-pop listener, also wanted to be part of the collaboration and join the genre. We have a lot in common as artists. We both like having a hip mood on the outside but also have a contrasting lovely mood in our inner minds.”
Sujeong remains true to her roots
Despite venturing into the dark pop genre, Sujeong remains true to her roots. She was involved in the writing and production of all three tracks on the EP, infusing them with her signature innocent, lovely, and girly vibes. “It’s dark pop, but you’ll still be able to feel my underlying soft, cloudy-like nature,” she said.
The EP has three songs: “BADGRLS (feat. XYLØ),” with lyrics co-written by Sujeong; “SHXT (feat. XYLØ),” and “Fallen Angel (feat. XYLØ).” “SHXT” is an upbeat, kitschy track influenced by high-teen dramas of the 90s and 00s. “Fallen Angel” is a gloomy, sentimental song about the pain of lovers who only hurt each other.
류수정(Ryu Sujeong) ‘SHXT (feat. XYLØ)’ Track Video (2ROX Ver.)
Sujeong also talked about Lovelyz, which is approaching its 10-year anniversary. The members remain close and supportive of each other’s individual endeavors. They’ve discussed releasing an album or holding a concert to celebrate the milestone, though coordinating their busy schedules remains a challenge.
Looking ahead, Sujeong plans to release more songs, whether as digital singles or full-length albums. She hopes to attract more international fans and possibly participate in music festivals abroad. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Sujeong boldly went where no Lovelyz member has gone before. Good for her! Source: X/@zzzlovelyz.