[CELEB] Son Dong-woon 'Highlight's himself in latest solo EP 'Happy Birthday'

K-pop

Published: 08 Jun. 2022, 15:29 Updated: 08 Jun. 2022, 18:18

[CELEB] Son Dong-woon 'Highlight's himself in latest solo EP 'Happy Birthday'

Son Dong-woon, member of boy band Highlight, returned with a solo EP titled ″Happy Birthday″ on Monday. [AROUND US ENTERTAINMENT]

Singer Son Dong-woon, best known as a member of boy band Highlight, is celebrating his birthday like no other — with a new solo EP called “Happy Birthday.”

Son dropped the EP on Monday, his birthday.

The EP consists of five songs: the lead track “Today’s Weather,” “Rainy Season,” “Letter,” “Moderato” and “Happy Birthday to Me.” The singer produced all five songs and has continued to establish his career as a singer-songwriter.

The album cover for Son's ″Happy Birthday″ [AROUND US ENTERTAINMENT]

Through his agency Around US Entertainment, Son revealed the behind-the-scenes process of how he created “Happy Birthday.”

“I created the song ‘Happy Birthday to Me’ first, and I liked it so much that initially, I was going to release it as a single,” Son said. “But I talked with my agency, and since I had a couple more songs I had produced, we thought it would be better to release an album instead. Things did get bigger than planned, but I think it helped me to celebrate my birthday more fully and meaningfully.”

According to Son, “Today’s Weather” is a song that complements bright sunny days and breezy weather, that he is sure will lighten up people’s days.

“Rainy Season” was originally contending to make it into Highlight’s latest full-length album “Daydream” from earlier this year, but did not make the final cut. Son said that although he was disappointed at the time, he was glad he could instead sing it solo for his own album.

“Moderato” is the third part in his “music term song series,” following his previous songs “Crescendo” (2018) and “Decrescendo” (2019).

“'Moderato' is about the beginning of a romantic relationship, so it’s like the prequel to ‘Crescendo,’” Son said. “The lyrics to all three songs sort of connect like a series.”

A concept photo for Son's ″Happy Birthday″ [AROUND US ENTERTAINMENT]

“Happy Birthday to Me” was inspired by Son’s time during his mandatory military service.

“I was on night watch on my birthday, and I felt really lonely,” he recalled. “Before enlisting, I would usually celebrate my birthdays with a lot of people, but I was unable to do the same in the military. I jotted down these feelings into this song; how I was thankful for everyone who ever wished me a happy birthday and to wish everyone else has a happy one too.”

Son said that the difference between his solo music and Highlight’s music comes from the performance, as the band tends to focus more on the choreography. However, Son’s solo music is more intended for the ears, and he especially hopes listeners will fully enjoy the lyrical aspects.

A concept photo for Son's ″Happy Birthday″ [AROUND US ENTERTAINMENT]

Son added that his solo music is like an essay of works. Since debuting as a member of Beast in October 2009 with the EP “Beast is the B2ST,” Son has shown a wide range of musical styles from ballads to dance tracks with Beast’s hit songs like “Breath” (2010), “Fiction” (2011), “Shadow” (2013) and “12:30” (2014).

After Beast’s contract with Cube Entertainment ended, the band rebranded itself as “Highlight,” and over the years some of the members have left as well. The band is currently left with four original members: Yoon Du-jun, Yang Yo-seop, Lee Gi-kwang and Son.

A concept photo for Son's ″Happy Birthday″ [AROUND US ENTERTAINMENT]

Son Dong-woon

Date of birth: June 6, 1991
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Busan
Debut: October 2009 as a member of boy band Beast
Agency: Around US Entertainment

Singer Son Dong-woon debuted as the youngest member of boy band Beast, now known as Highlight, in 2009 with the EP “Beast is the B2ST” and lead track “Bad Girl.” Son has made a steady career also as a solo singer, releasing songs like “In The Cloud” (2012), produced by Shinsadong Tiger, and “Dreaming Now” (2017), as part of the soundtrack for the SBS drama series “Innocent Defendant” (2017). Son has released the following albums: Japanese EP “Kimishika” (2015), Korean EPs “Prelude: Voice” (2018), “Act 1: The Orchestra” (2019) and “Happy Birthday” (2022). He has also acted in various musicals, including “Catch Me If You Can” (2012-13), “The Great Catsby Re:Boot” (2015-16), “Sandglass” (2017-18) and “Altar Boyz” (2018-19).

This information was confirmed by Around US Entertainment on June 8, 2022.