Chaeyoung on ‘LIL FANTASY Vol. 1’ Solo Debut, TWICE’s 10th Anniversary and Why She’s ‘Hungrier’ Than Ever Musically

Selected Q&A

How did your bandmates support you while you prepared your solo debut?

They were incredibly encouraging — urging me to chase everything I wanted to try. Many of them came to music show tapings and celebrated the release, which meant a great deal to me.

What lives inside your “little world”?

My inner world is woven from childhood things: the mountain home I grew up in, my mother’s warmth, and the cartoons that fascinated me. Those memories keep adding color to who I am and inform the music I make.

Why release a full ten-song solo album for your first solo project?

I didn’t want this debut to feel incomplete. It took about a year to record and more than two years to crystallize what I wanted to say. Ten songs were necessary to present a full portrait of Son Chaeyoung.

You wrote and composed the whole album. What inspired you during that process?

I dug into my feelings and thoughts, and my drawings often fed into the songs. Friends and everyday experiences helped shape ideas, and from many drafts I selected the ten pieces that best represented me.

Can you describe the album’s narrative?

The story follows a small, curious girl with clear eyes who gets lost and meets three whimsical companions. They lead her to a castle called LIL FANTASY — a place where she can express and realize everything she’s imagined.

What central message do you hope listeners take away?

That everyone carries a small, private world. I want listeners to nurture their individuality and accept their tastes, even if those tastes feel unusual. This record is an invitation to be authentic.

You collaborated with Gliiico on several tracks. How did that partnership begin?

I stumbled upon Gliiico’s music and immediately connected with it. After inviting them to a TWICE concert, we developed a comfortable creative rapport that naturally led to collaborating on this album.

Were there any vocal or production experiments on LIL FANTASY vol.1?

I was involved in the mixing for the first time and realized how much a mix can shift a song’s character. I aimed for a glossy production that complements my softer, more delicate vocal color — a contrast to my rapping role in TWICE.

The visuals evoke an Alice-in-Wonderland vibe. How involved were you in that aspect?

Very. I wanted to translate my sketches into the photos and visual concepts. Drawing relaxes and reshapes my thinking, and I drew inspiration from directors I admire to create a whimsical, slightly offbeat aesthetic that connects with the music.

What does this album mean to you personally?

It’s the moment I revealed a long-held inner world to others. I’ll treasure this chapter, and I’m thankful I trusted my taste and held steadiness through the process.

You added “vol.1” to the title — does that signal more to come?

I hope so. I’m already curious about who and what might appear in vol.2. This feels like the start of a continuing story.

TWICE’s 10th anniversary is on Oct. 20 — how do you reflect on the group’s journey?

I’m immensely grateful. We’ve kept busy and grown, and our fans — ONCE — mean everything. Their support lets us keep doing what we love.

What has kept TWICE together through an era when many groups come and go?

Teamwork and mutual care. After ten years, we truly feel like family; understanding and support are at our foundation.

As a person rather than an artist, what do you hope for the future?

I want to keep making music for a long time and be someone who encourages others chasing dreams. I also hope the industry continues to open diverse paths for artists — and I’d like to help pave them.