[Interview] Ryu Sujeong Takes Her Fans For A Fun Drive With ‘New Car’

Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.

Recently, I was given the incredible opportunity to interview Ryu Sujeong regarding her new mini album, ‘New Car’. As a fan of hers for over a decade, this interview was really meaningful and special to me. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Introduction:

Ryu Sujeong has an extensive career within the K-Pop industry, as both a soloist and lead vocalist of the girl group Lovelyz. Lovelyz debuted in 2015 and quickly gained traction for their vocal harmonies, diverse discography and elegant choreography.

Sujeong first debuted as a soloist with her EP ‘Tiger Eyes’ which was released on the 20th of May 2020. With a title track of the same name, this debut track utilised a bouncy beat and electropop production to create a powerful standout track.

In September of 2022, Sujeong established her own independent label, ‘House Of Dreams’. On April 20th of 2023, she released her first full studio album, ‘Archive of Emotions’. Pre-release track, ‘Love or Hate’ is low-key, emphasising airy vocals alongside deep synths to create a relaxing vibe.

The title track for this album was track ‘Grabby Girl’. The dreamy, laid-back style of this song truly draws in new listeners and is the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing summer evening.

Sujeong’s 2nd EP, ‘2Rox’ was released on the 24th of January 2024, with pre-release track ‘Fallen Angel’ alongside title track ‘Shxt’. Sujeong goes into more depth on this EP in our interview below!

After her second EP release, Sujeong released several singles. The first of these was ‘Orange Juice’ with Yein. She then released a second single, ‘White Dress’. Most recently, she released her debut Japanese track, ‘T-Shirt’.

Which leads us to today. Sujeong’s latest EP, ‘New Car’ was released on the 25th of July 2025. The title track, ‘New Car’ has an instantly memorable chorus, funky synth line and a super funny and well edited music video. Whether you’re purchasing a new vehicle, enjoying the summer vibes, or need cheering up, this song is perfect for all occasions. The rest of the EP bounces between rock samples, sweet ballads and eclectic pop to truly showcase the breadth of Sujeong’s artistry.

But who better to let you know more about her latest album than Sujeong herself? Please read on to find out more!

Interview:

Q1. Please introduce yourself!

Hello, dear readers. I’m Sujeong, a singer-songwriter from South Korea.

Q2. What is your typical song writing and production process like?

Sometimes I start alone with a guitar, crafting a pretty chord progression and building a melody from there. Other times, I find inspiration through conversations with producers, and we naturally begin working on something together.

Q3. You have a long career as a member of Lovelyz, what have been your most memorable moments as a group?

Meeting our fans in person has always been the most unforgettable part for me. Those moments of direct communication through music are truly special.

Q4. What is different about promoting as a soloist under your own agency?

The biggest change is being able to express my personal stories more directly through albums and performances.

Q5. Your most recent EP was an album, ‘2ROX’ with American artist XYLø, could you explain the style and concept of this album?

‘2ROX’ is an album that explores themes like love, friendship, and confidence. It was my first time releasing a collaboration album, and it was a fun and refreshing experience to create music while exchanging ideas with another artist. Working with XYLø brought a unique new color to the project.

Q6. Your sound blends dreamy production, electropop, and powerful ballads in a diverse way — was that an intentional musical direction from the start, or do you feel your sound continues to evolve and change over time?

During my time with Lovelyz, I experienced a variety of genres. I realized that each genre conveys emotions in different ways, so as a solo artist, I try to choose sounds that best match the message I want to deliver at the time. Going forward, I hope to continue exploring different genres centered around band-based sounds.

Q7. What does music mean to you?

It used to be something that gave me strength or comfort. Now, it’s become everything to me.

Q8. You had a duet song last year with fellow Lovelyz member, Yein! How did this song come together?

I received a demo of “Orange Juice” from XYLø and played it for Yein, who really liked it. Since summer was approaching, I thought it would be fun to release it as a duet with her.

Q9. Who first inspired you to pursue a career in the K-Pop industry?

While I now admire anyone chasing their dreams, the artist who first inspired me to audition was Yoseob from BEAST. His singing was detailed and full of comfort, which made me dream of offering the same kind of healing to others through music.

Q10. Could you tell us some more about your upcoming album ‘New Car’ and what your fans can expect?

New Car is a refreshing album, perfect for the summer season. Each of the five tracks brings a different kind of coolness:

“Bad Bye” captures the feeling of an empty goodbye, expressed in a cool and detached way.
“NEW CAR” is about leaving worries behind and celebrating a fresh new beginning together.
“Bibaram” (meaning wind and rain) tells the story of running through any storm just to see the one you love.
“Venus & a Bowl Soup” is inspired by a line from my favorite drama Gilmore Girls_tells a quiet, sad love story between two completely different souls.
“Beautiful” is a song that cheers on the youthful spirit, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journey.

Each track has its own unique vibe, so I believe listeners will enjoy finding the one that fits their mood. I was closely involved in the production and visual direction, and I wanted to create music that feels honest, yet fun to listen to.

Q11. What are your goals as the artist Sujeong?

I want to keep making music and performing for a long time. That would mean my listeners are also staying with me, and that’s what happiness means to me. More specifically, I’d love to perform for international audiences and appear on more music festival stages.

Q12. What is your favorite part of performing on stage?

I love the moments when I feel emotionally connected with the audience. That shared feeling of happiness is incredibly special.

Q13. You have had many collaborations with many different artists – who is your dream collaboration and why?

Audrey Nuna – I admire how bold and confident her music always feels.
Laufey – I’ve been listening to her a lot lately. I’d love to release a jazz record together someday.
And honestly, there are so many amazing artists I’d love to work with.

Q14. Do you have a message for your fans or any new listeners?

Sharing music with you brings me so much joy. I hope that when you listen to my songs, you feel peace and comfort. I’ll always be here, so if you ever need a place to rest, please come find me.