To Heize, love is like falling. And when it’s gone to dust? The experiences you tuck aside are like fallen autumn leaves—each one a memory that slowly begins to erode away; a harbinger of a new season to come. “This song is really about those memories that we think will last forever, but they gradually end up drifting away from us and disappearing,” the soft-spoken South Korean soloist explains to me when I ask her about the title track of her latest album ‘Fallin”. Pensive and deep in thought, she continues: “But it’s a natural occurrence that’s part and parcel of life.”
Returning with her ninth mini album Fallin’ under current entertainment label P Nation, Heize is hardly an unfamiliar name in South Korea’s music circles. The singer-songwriter has worked with some of the biggest names across genres, from K-pop greats such as BTS’s Suga and Minnie of (G)I-DLE to R&B and hip-hop industry players like Jay Park, Colde and Dean. Then there’s that long line of K-drama OSTs which she’s sung over the years, for hit shows such as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (better known as Goblin) and the more recent Queen of Tears. So much so that throughout her decade-spanning career, the only constant has been her versatility, as she flits between varied genres with practised ease; from the soulful, emotional punch of ‘Star’; to the sultry R&B groove of ‘And July’; and the thoughtful heartfeltness of her latest ballad melody, ‘Fallin’’.
One could say that the waiting game has always belonged to Heize. She’s steadily held her own in her quiet little corner of the world, composing music and writing lyrics that have touched the hearts of listeners everywhere—for anyone who’s ever stopped to listen. And like every season that she comes into, there’s always something she’s hoping to say with her music. For her latest album release, she opened up to Vogue Singapore about the core message of Fallin’, how she draws inspiration for her music and how she approaches OSTs differently from her own songs.
Congratulations on the upcoming drop of your ninth mini album, Fallin’. How are you feeling about this release?
I’m very grateful that people can finally listen to it. Whenever I’m preparing for an album, I’m used to just spending all my time inside the recording studio or the studio in general, so I’m glad and thankful that it can now reach the public’s ears. It matters a lot to me that I get to release an album during this season too, because it’s in line with the message I want to convey to everyone as well.
Your main title track is ‘Fallin’’. Why is this the main track and could you share more about the message of the song?
On the whole, this song is so enjoyable and it’s very charming to listen to. When it came down to choosing a title track, it was important to me that it would appeal to everyone and feel unanimous. And because it’s such a good song, I thought it was possible. ‘Fallin’’ is really about those memories that we think will last forever, but they gradually end up drifting away from us and disappearing. But it’s a natural occurrence that’s part and parcel of life and helps us grow, so we can move on from it eventually.
I’m sure the other six songs are equally precious to you. Could you tell us more about the rest of the album and if there’s any song that you’re particularly drawn to?
The other songs in the album also convey a similar message to the title track—that idea of longing. My personal favourite would be ‘Behind the heart’. People always tend to smile on the outside and everyone seems to be living their best lives, but there’s always something on the inside that someone might be hiding. They might be going through something that no one knows. So I really wanted to portray the idea that no one is alone, that we are all going through this together. And I hope that you’re able to manage things, that everything will be okay. So I’m very excited to see other people’s reactions to the song as well. It’s a very calm song with a little bit of waltz to it and a little bit of rap here and there, so there’s a good melody to it overall.
Is there a specific reason as to why you arranged your songs in the album in such a way, from ‘Fallin’’ to ‘November Song’?
I wanted the listening experience to flow quite naturally from track to track. Although the overall mood and vibe of the album are the same theme, I did want a little bit of that twist when it came down to the melodies of the different songs, whilst coming together quite seamlessly still.
Your music always conveys a depth of emotion. What inspires you when you’re writing or working on your music?
I get inspiration from various things. It might be movies or talking to people in general. But ever since I started writing my own songs, I’ve just been writing my feelings and things I experience daily in my diary. And inspiration for my lyrics comes from there. These days, when I write in my diary, I write lighter, shorter notes, rather than lengthy paragraphs. So when I finally write my lyrics, they feel like longer diary entries per se, of what I’ve processed.
When you’re recording in the studio, do you think about how to sing in a certain way or do you go with how you’re feeling?
When I’m writing a song, there’s a specific emotion I’m usually trying to focus on. But in the studio, I tend to go back and forth between two things: emotion and also the pronunciation of certain words. But if I had to choose just one thing to focus on, I’d prioritise emotion because it conveys what I want to say the most.
You’re well-loved for your beautiful OSTs, the latest being ‘Hold Me Back’ for Queen of Tears. Do you usually approach a drama OST differently from how you would your own songs?
The process itself is actually very different from my own songs. When it comes to drama OSTs, it has to really blend into the scene or moment on screen. Rather than listening to it on its own, my voice has to enhance the characters and mood on screen. Whenever it’s possible, I try to really consider the synopsis of the drama and immerse myself into the mood of it all. For Queen of Tears, I actually discussed it with the director quite a bit and talked about the past of the characters, the scenes the song would be in, and the first time the song would be revealed in the drama itself. I watched the scene and really tried to understand what was happening in the drama.
You’re known for your myriad collaborations. Is there one that was particularly memorable for you?
Obviously all of the collaborations were very meaningful, but if I had to choose one, it would be my collab with Dean because I learned a lot through that collaboration. When you’re listening to the actual song prior to recording it, you think: Oh, it’s already perfect. But whilst working with him, I learnt that making small changes as you go along in the studio can truly turn it into something amazing and even better.
Lastly, is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Over the past 10 years, I’ve always, always been so grateful for all the fans who have listened to my albums and music. You’ve given me the chance to create different moments and various types of tracks as well. Through this new album, I hope I’m able to touch everyone just like I’ve always done. And I really, really hope that I can meet all my fans in Singapore soon.
Listen to Fallin‘ here.
