SAN-HA Gets Vulnerable on His New Single, “Dive”

INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

After years of putting in the work to establish himself in the entertainment industry, YOON SAN-HA, known as the youngest member of the popular K-pop group ASTRO, is officially stepping into the limelight as a solo artist with his debut mini-album, DUSK — featuring six tracks that further proves his strengths as a singer, songwriter, performer, and composer.

Thematically, DUSK encapsulates the duality of twilight, often referred to as the hour of the dog and wolf, a metaphor for a transitional phase where light and darkness intermingle. This concept accurately reflects SAN-HA’s current ambition to evolve as an artist, perfectly marking his mystifying transition from the vibrant world of ASTRO to the nuanced realm of solo artistry.

SAN-HA’s title track “Dive” explores this idea by pursuing an alternative R&B pop soundscape that envelops listeners in a cinematic world, drawing parallels between the fleeting beauty of a sunset and moments of deep joy. In its natural essence, it evokes a sense of longing, embodying both the sadness of twilight and a desire to embrace the night ahead.

Conversely, “Yeowoobyul” (Fox Star), is a track that holds a special significance for SAN-HA, inspired by nights spent gazing at stars that consistently provide him comfort, dually reflecting on the elusive beauty of a rare star — a poignant reminder of hope and resilience amidst the darkness. And that’s merely a taste of what he’s bringing into the world.

With DUSK out now, SAN-HA is talking to us about his solo debut and the messages he hoped to convey through this compelling, personalized art.

Fantagio

Can you tell us about the idea behind your latest title track, "Dive," and what this new song signifies to you?

SAN-HA: I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of music I could share with the public and what I'm good at. I think I watched almost every performance by senior artists who debuted solo before me. Watching GEMINI on stage, I thought his music style was amazing. I wanted to create music like that, so I decided to try the R&B genre. 

How would you say the music video for "Dive" conveys the message of the title track? We’d love to hear a TMI from the filming of the MV.

SAN-HA: Before I started working on this album, I felt really confused. I kept thinking, ‘What am I good at?’ and ‘What can I do?’ So, I wanted to show those emotions, that confusion that I felt in the music video. That's why I tried to be more at ease while I was shooting the music video. As for the TMI, this music video was filmed in London and many of the scenes were shot at night. However, the time when we were filming was that period when the days are very long and the sun sets very late. It was as late as 10 p.m. So, we had to shoot late into the night, and filming only wrapped up in the morning.

 What is the story behind "Yeowoobyul" (Fox Star)? What state were you in when you wrote it and what story did you want to tell with this song?

SAN-HA: Whenever I was going through tough times, I found a lot of comfort by looking at the sky. As I was watching the stars, I thought about writing a song related to them. While reading about stars, I discovered "Yeowoobyul", and its meaning really touched my heart. Just like a "Yeowoobyul," that appears briefly between the clouds on a gloomy day and then disappears, I wanted to convey the message of "not losing hope even in tough times." I hope that everyone who listens to "Yeowoobyul" can feel comfort.

Fantagio

Conceptually, the mini-album DUSK certainly evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue! In what ways is this concept the perfect way to showcase your talents as a soloist?

SAN-HA: While having a set concept is good, I want to show various sides and different charms of myself. I want to challenge myself with genres I'm not familiar with, learn from them, and see what I can achieve.

What are some of your aspirations for future tracks after DUSK? (Do you want to experiment with a genre? Tell specific stories? Try a certain mood? Etc.)

SAN-HA: I would describe the atmosphere of this album's title track "Dive" as somewhat dark and heavy. For the next album, I'd like to turn to music that is more cheerful and bright. I would like to make music that makes you people happy when they listen to it.

Now that you've experienced various facets of the industry (solo, group, etc.), are there any specific goals you're still actively pursuing?

SAN-HA: Whether as a singer or an actor, I want to become someone who is recognized by the public. When people hear the name YOON SAN-HA, I want them to say, ‘That guy is cool, he's really good.’

Finally, what would you say has been the most impactful memory you have in relation to the creation of DUSK?

SAN-HA: I shot a performance video for one of the B-side tracks, "BLEEDING," and it had been a really long time since I danced alone. The last time I danced alone was probably during my trainee days, about nine years ago. The thought of filling the stage by myself made me nervous and worried, and it was tough. I remember feeling overwhelmed with emotions when I saw my reflection in the practice room mirror, and that made me work even harder to prepare.