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Message from WWD Korea Editor in Chief

The cover star of this issue is T.O.P, who has broken 13 years of silence and returned with a full-length album. Going beyond simply writing songs, he says he has intensely explored the essence of the music he is meant to create. Distancing himself from all noise, he calmly confesses the time he spent dissecting himself.“Rather than clinging to something until the end, I think I’ve come to focus on the process of emptying myself. I try to fill that emptied space not with grand beliefs, but with an attitude of constantly learning from the world.”For T.O.P, this album is like a ritual of tying up a chapter of his life, confronting the blemishes of his past head-on. The music, born after a true reunion with himself, fully reflects a more solidified inner self. His intense immersion in emptying himself to reach the essence evokes the discipline of a spiritual seeker.After shedding the many layers that surround us, what is the true self that remains? I hope that the sincere record of the artist T.O.P—who has coolly reflected on himself and willingly cast off his old skin—and the precious pages of this month reach you with a clear and profound resonance.

Ruby Kim
Editor in Chief

Q1: This is your first full-length solo album in 13 years. Since it coincides with the 20th anniversary of your debut, it feels especially meaningful. The fact that you never stopped pursuing music has been a great comfort to your fans. How have you been during that time?T.O.P: It was a period of stepping away for a while from social interactions and noise. But rather than simply resting, I believe I used my time more intensely than ever. I was more productive than anyone else, and it was a time of filling myself up so fully that I’d like to tell myself I spent it fiercely and meaningfully.


Q2: This album gives the impression that, rather than trying to meet someone else’s expectations, the artist has fully realized their own inner world. After going through many waves of emotion over time, what did you ultimately find to be the essence of your creative work?T.O.P:: In the end, I realized that I’m simply someone who deeply loves music and film. I felt once again that I truly become myself only when I create the music I want to hear and bring something different from others into existence.


Q3: The first track, “TOP욕,” [Self Crucifixion] is intense right from the start.T.O.P: The reason I included even the shameful parts of my past without holding anything back was because I wanted to clearly bring closure to a chapter of my life that I will never return to. By accurately documenting even those moments within my work, it was my own deliberate process of moving forward.

Q4: The title “Multiple Perspectives (ANOTHER DIMENSION)” is intriguing. Do you hope this album becomes a telescope through which the public can observe T.O.P as a complex artist, or a microscope that breaks down and reveals your inner self?T.O.P: Honestly, I try not to have any personal expectations at all. I don’t create my work with a specific audience in mind. Sometimes I know very well what the public wants, and that can blur with the essence I’m trying to realize. For the past decade or so, I’ve focused only on the most fundamental question: what kind of music is truly needed for people living in this era?That’s why I hope the works I put out going forward won’t simply be consumed commercially and then fade away. The album title “Multiple Perspectives” comes from that same idea. I believe that every moment when different thoughts come together through my music is part of the process of completing the album. I want to leave a record of the many different viewpoints that will reflect on this album in the future.


Q5: You personally produced all the tracks. In an era where short-form music of around 1–2 minutes dominates, you chose a longer narrative where each song exceeds 3 minutes. You must have had your own uncompromising standards.T.O.P: Trends always flow, and public response constantly changes. Within that flow, I wanted to create music that wouldn’t just be quickly consumed and forgotten, but music that would remain unfading even as time passes. In this work, I tried to incorporate elements of a “Golden Era” that transcends time—similar to the language of 1960s–70s rock—and combine it with the emotional sensibility of 1990s Korean pop, which I see as the true essence of K-pop, along with a deconstructive approach.My most enjoyable challenge was creating a structure that feels as if it could belong to no specific era, something that sounds unlike anything ever heard before. Honestly, once I start talking about music, I have so many thoughts that it never really ends (laughs).


Q6: In terms of sound as well, it gave the impression that you relied on the power of your voice alone rather than filling the density with devices.T.O.P: On this album, there is almost no doubling or harmony. It was filled with only a single voice. I think of my voice itself as one large instrument. To capture that authenticity, I stripped away sound almost obsessively.In fact, music is similar to painting or cooking. Just as a dish shines brightest when you bring out its natural flavor by using only good ingredients, I wanted to find the optimal balance with just my essential voice, rather than layering on unnecessary elements. That process was the most interesting and important subject of study for me.


Q7: That process must have been a lonely and intense battle with yourself. Personally, it even brings to mind the works of Agnes Martin, who is known for the aesthetics of restraint. What mindset did you have when approaching the recording in order to achieve that essential sound?T.O.P: The only concept I focused on for this album was just one thing: to convince the entire world using nothing but my voice alone. Before entering the booth, I would essentially hypnotize myself with the idea that “I must persuade the world with this one voice.” While building up energy is a technical matter, my work requires a deeper form of meditation. If I am not convinced myself, I delete every file without hesitation, no matter how much effort I put into the recording. I simply cannot allow myself to speak to the world with a voice that even I can’t believe in.

Q8: As an artist, you have a distinctive eye for ovserving the times. Is there a particular historical or cultural moment that inspired this album?T.O.P: I always try to put myself in the position of an observer. Lately, when I look at people in their 20s and 30s on the streets, I see that fashion and culture in general are strongly infused with the sensibilities of the 1990s and 2000s. Seeing that gave me the conviction that “I should make music like this again.” Personally, I really like the emotions and energy that 1990s Korean pop music had. I wanted to take the pure nostalgia of that era before the term K-pop was even established and reinterpret it in a modern, more refined way.


Q9: When you look at YouTube and various platforms, there’s been a significant influx of listeners in their teens and early 20s. Even younger fans who are encountering T.O.P as an artist for the first time are getting excited, saying, “This is real K-pop.” What kind of motivation does that kind of feedback give you?T.O.P: It makes me feel like I need to live more properly (laughs). Ever since Squid Game Season 2, I’ve really felt the impact of having many young fans around elementary school age from all over the world. The moment I became aware of that fact, I felt a positive sense of responsibility. I feel a deeper sense of accountability than ever for the position I’m in right now.


Q10: Is this album a record that condenses the past, or is it an erasure? Did you discover any new aspects of yourself through the creative process?T.O.P: There’s nothing new that I came to realize. Rather, it captures the process of completely emptying out and discarding my past self. After getting rid of all the unnecessary versions of me from the past, I was finally able to face a new self that is truly free. This album is a record of parting ways with the past.

Q11: Among the many tracks, is there any special meaning behind choosing “Desperado” and “Completely Crazy” as double title tracks?T.O.P: My album doesn’t really have a separate title track. I created the entire album as one organic narrative, with the idea that every track is essentially a title track. If I compare it to a film, it’s like having to choose just one most impactful scene but given the avant-garde nature of my album, I first selected the songs that would be most friendly to the public. I focused on tracks that listeners could enter and engage with more comfortably. In particular, “Desperado” is a chapter in the latter half of the album that emotionally connects most closely with listeners of my generation, which is why I chose it.


Q12:Desperado is different from the existing style. I would say it has a slightly more direct and warm sentiment.T.O.P: At some point, I started to wonder: “Why don’t we have enough music that you can listen to when you want to heighten a subtle, intimate mood? And on the other hand, for those who want to enjoy solitude—when they’re drinking whiskey or raising a glass alone—I wanted them to feel a sense of emotional fullness, like, ‘I feel pretty cool listening to this kind of music right now.’” I wanted listeners to feel that kind of self-assured, almost stylish satisfaction. It’s a song I expressed in a quieter, more subdued way than my usual manner of speaking.

Q13: The music video’s level of completion is overwhelming. You worked with art director Chae Kyoung-sun and cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, who both worked on Squid Game Season 2. If there was one visual point you focused on the most, what would it be?T.O.P: I didn’t want to follow the typical conventions of music videos. I wanted something that blurs the line between an art film and a music video, something highly aesthetic yet still carrying a clear message. Fortunately, the directors deeply resonated with my vision, and we worked intensely while fully respecting each other’s roles and areas of expertise. I only provided visual inspiration, and after that, I completely trusted and delegated to the specialists in each position. Thanks to that, I think we were able to create a collaborative work that goes beyond just a video.


Q14: The chemistry with Nana, who appeared in the music video, has also become a hot topic.T.O.P: After finishing the song, Nana came to mind. We needed someone who could simultaneously embody a kind of manic energy and classical elegance. Above all, she needed to have the sense to internalize the rhythm of the music. I carefully asked her to listen to the music first, saying, “It’s okay if you decline, but please listen to the music first,” and she gladly agreed.


Q15: The news that Ed Ruscha, a master of contemporary art, participated in the album design was surprising in itself.T.O.P: He is a master who usually works in seclusion, so I was a bit cautious, but I met him in person and worked on the project. The entire process leading up to the mysterious and refined final result was also a very special experience for me.


Q16: Among the tracks, the title “Kkokkalkoon” stands out. It’s a rather unusual name for a fan song.T.O.P: Compared to my usual music, it’s very harmless and sweet, isn’t it? (laughs) I even tried playing around with the idea of going all the way in a cuter direction, and ended up making the title longer just for fun. I tend to enjoy using ordinary, everyday objects as metaphors. I was thinking about whether there might be a cute way to satirize people who clash with each other sharply, when one day I noticed a pointed-shaped snack next to me and thought, “That’s it.” In the English lyrics, I expressed it as “Doritos,” and I wanted the music to carry wit and humor within it, almost the opposite of what the lyrics might suggest on the surface.


Q17: I heard you’ve already completed enough music for releases over the next few years. Were the songs that didn’t make it onto this album intentionally held back for future releases as part of a strategy?T.O.P: Yes!

Q18: It’s like you’ve finished a kind of homework in advance, so you must feel much lighter as an artist.T.O.P: The only assignment left is simply not changing my mind. (laughs) Even after I’ve finalized the tracklist for an upcoming album, I constantly make revisions. Sometimes it goes to extremes, but I think this perfectionist nature and the strict pressure I place on myself are the driving forces that keep me moving forward without stopping.


Q19: When will those songs be released to the world?T.O.P: The first album has just been released so talking about the next one already feels like revealing too many marketing secrets. (laughs) I'll stop here.


Q20: Now, as an independent artist, you’re leading the entire creative process. What does it feel like to move forward holding the key to every decision yourself, with the sense of being completely on your own?T.O.P: I have a strong, supportive team by my side, but the final decisions and the responsibility that comes with them ultimately rest with me. It carries a different kind of weight compared to the past, but I’m living the life I’ve always wanted, and I’m very happy. Within that sense of responsibility, I feel myself growing and gradually becoming a real adult.


Q21: What is the decisive change that made you feel you’ve become more mature?T.O.P: Looking back, I had a lot of worries even in my 20s. Starting in my 30s, I seem to have moved beyond the stage of confronting my ego to something closer to “emptying it out.” Rather than clinging to the idea of holding onto something to the very end, I find myself focusing more on the process of letting go. I try to fill the space I’ve emptied not with grand beliefs, but with an attitude of constantly learning from the world.

Q22: So you’ve come to see the world a little more broadly. You are famous for having deep expertise across the arts in general, including photography, film, visual arts, and music. Recently, what has been T.O.P’s source of inspiration?T.O.P: I am always, constantly buried in music. To the point where I don't even have time to go see exhibitions. It feels like my entire daily life is spent contemplating how to express the visions I have drawn in the past in a way that persuades society and produces results that will surprise everyone.


Q23: If you were to compare life to a single work of art, which movement would you say it’s closest to?T.O.P: That’s an interesting question. By chance, I’ve lived a very surrealist kind of life, but I’ve always wanted and still want to live an extremely minimal life. Ever since I was young, the direction I’ve dreamed of has always been minimalism. From here on, I plan to keep letting go of more and more, and to live an even simpler life.


Q24: I am curious about the landscape of that simple life.T.O.P: I don’t want any more ‘drama’ in my life. Like the lyrics of the track ‘Be Solid,’ I want to live a stable life now. I hope the people around me won’t suffer because of me anymore; instead, I want to become a dependable presence—someone my family and the people I work with can look at and feel reassured by.


Q25: As a winemaker and a well-known wine enthusiast, could you recommend a wine that pairs well with this album?T.O.P: Only one comes to mind: “T’SPOT.” It’s carefully crafted at a French winery, and the Rose Sparkling in particular feels like it would pair beautifully with the mood of this album.


Q26: This is the question fans are most curious about. Have you taken an MBTI test?T.O.P: Honestly, I don’t really know what MBTI is (laughs).
(After hearing the explanation)
T.O.P: Then I’ll define myself as ‘ITOP’. I don’t really want to go through any more tests just to get to know myself better. Exploring my identity is enough through music alone.

Q27: Do you happen to have plans for a concert?T.O.P: Of course. All of my new music is designed with a sound structure that can only be fully experienced in a massive stadium. I will create a stage that matches the scale of my imagination and I’ll invite you when everything is at the perfect moment, so please look forward to it.


Q28: This year marks your 20th anniversary since your debut. If the past years were an intersection of intense struggle and the silence of emptying the ego, how do you want to fill the next 20 years?T.O.P: I don’t usually place much meaning on time or visible numbers. But as I mentioned earlier, I want to spend the time ahead with a slightly more peaceful state of mind. Rather than making grand promises to prove any particular achievement, I simply want to keep consistently sharing the music I do best and love, right by your side.


Q29: While achievements as an artist are important, I truly hope that Choi Seung-hyun as a person is also genuinely happy.T.O.P: I don't think I do this work solely for myself. I believe that an artist’s purpose is to inspire others and share happiness. As a human being Choi Seung-hyun? I’m really happy that my inner self is simply calm right now.

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