Yugyeom's TRUSTY Tour Brings His Solo Music To Life
With his first solo tour underway, former GOT7 member Yugyeom embarks on an exciting new journey in his career.
Since GOT7's departure from JYP Entertainment in 2021, the group's activities have come to a halt, leaving fans eager for more. Despite group activities stalling, the members dove headfirst into solo ventures. From acting gigs to releasing tracks and full albums, Ahgases (the unofficial name for GOT7's fandom) now have a treasure trove of solo content to explore.
Leading the charge is GOT7's youngest member, Yugyeom (full name Kim Yu-gyeom), who’s been flexing his musical chops under the new management of AOMG. Since his transition, he’s been a busy bee, dropping an EP, several singles, and kicking off 2024 with his latest album, the 14-track TRUST ME.
Ahgases eagerly await the kickoff of the TRUSTY tour at Capitol Theatre on October 5.
He’s also gearing up to wrap up the year with his TRUSTY tour. The tour kicked off with a bang, recently at its first stop in Singapore on October 5 at Capitol Theatre. The tour will continue across Asia and Australia.
Fans can expect a mix of tracks from TRUST ME, along with beloved hits like Falling in Love and, for the first time in years, Fine, a solo track from GOT7's Present: YOU (2018). As a cherry on top, during the Singapore showcase (which we were lucky enough to attend), he surprised everyone by performing the classic GOT7 banger Hard Carry, even jumping into the crowd for some up-close-and-personal fan interaction.
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TRUST ME reveals a new dimension to Yugyeom's artistry. Moving away from GOT7's hard-hitting hip-hop and B-boy style, his solo sound leans towards slick R&B. The title tracks, LA SOL MI and 1 Minute, showcase that smoothness, with the former offering a laid-back vibe and the latter bursting with brightness and energy.
Moments before he went on stage, Yugyeom shared more about this new artistry during our chat.
Yugyeom performing fan-favourite She during the Trusty tour.
Hello, Yugyeom. As a solo artist now, how has the experience of rediscovering yourself been?
It’s been three years since I began my solo journey, and I’m still enjoying it. I’m excited to create more music and explore this path.
As a soloist, what’s something unexpected you’ve learned?
I’ve learned a lot about how to perform on stage as a solo artist, which is quite different from being in a group.
Doesn’t it get lonely?
It used to, but now it’s totally fine.
Yugyeom performing on stage during 2022 Bluespring Festival in Seoul, South Korea.
Your new album, TRUST ME, has a strong R&B influence. Can we expect you to experiment with other genres in the future?
Definitely! I’m trying out genres like Trap and Hip-Hop. I want to incorporate hard-hitting drums – something that goes bang-bang-bang!
Who are you drawing inspiration from as you explore new genres?
Right now, I’m listening to Kanye West and Travis Scott. I’m also checking out some Korean artists, like Simon Dominic.
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Is there a particular track on TRUST ME that’s especially personal to you?
Yes, Summer Blues. It’s sung entirely in English and has no choreography, which makes it very special to me. I collaborated with American producer Chancellor on this track, and he was really meticulous about my English pronunciation.
Your tour is called TRUSTY. What does that word mean to you?
To me, it signifies "quality." I want my fans to recognise the quality of my performance and think, "It was totally worth coming to this concert, and I’m so proud to be his fan."
So, will your fans be proud of you on this tour?
Absolutely! I practise every day. For just one song, I’ll rehearse it continuously, around 50 times.
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What's the toughest song to prepare for a live show?
When I was in GOT7, I had a solo track called Fine. It had been so long since I heard that song that I cringed a bit, reflecting on who I was back then when I created it. Re-listening to it made me think about how I could tweak it to perform it well now.
When you're performing, how do you make each show special for fans?
When I’m completely focused on performing, the audience engages too. If I lose focus, they do as well. I strive to create synergy with them by observing their reactions. Then, I close my eyes and concentrate fully, which helps them focus on me.
With all the traveling and music-making, how do you stay balanced and grounded?
I love my crew! Staying balanced is easy because of the people around me – my dancers, DJ, and staff. Their energy keeps me grounded and happy, even with a busy schedule.
You recently performed in Germany for KCON alongside rookie group EVNNE. What was it like performing with younger musicians?
Oh, you saw it? Thank you! It’s been 10 years since I entered the industry, and working with artists just starting out feels surreal, especially since I’m their senior by a decade. It’s hard to describe, but it’s also nostalgic. Their passion reminds me of my own when I was starting out, and I still carry that passion with me.
As a veteran in the industry, what advice do you have for younger K-musicians?
I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice because I still feel like I’m on my own journey. In South Korea, there are so many talented singers and artists who are my hyung-deul (older brothers in Korean).
What makes Singaporean Ahgases special to you, and do you have a message for them?
Everyone smiles... really! They have great manners, and I always take back wonderful memories from my visits to Singapore. Because of that, I want to create memorable experiences for everyone who comes to my shows. I want my fans to know that I love them.
Lastly, any future endeavours you can tease?
As always, new music. Keep an eye out for a new album and a fan meet.