EXCLUSIVE [INTERVIEW] MIN delves into her musical journey and new EP 'PRIME TIME': "No one gets to tell you when your prime time is"

Solo artist MIN (formerly of JYP Entertainment’s award-winning group miss A) made her return to the music scene with the long-awaited, empowering record, ‘PRIME TIME.’ This came after her single, “To The Beach,” released in September 2022 — and the album was worth the wait, signaling the singer’s “prime time.”

‘PRIME TIME’ features the powerful anthem, the lead track, “PRIME TIME” and the sidetracks that complete the narrative of MIN’s musical journey: “SHIMMY (Skip),” “M.A.W,” and the heartwarming track “HAPPY PLANT (A Call from Grandma).” It’s just a four-track mini-album but the story she tells serves as an encouragement to the listeners. It’s where she reveals the source of her strength, the journey she has gone through, and how she plans to give that strength back to her supporters — a short yet impactful record.

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To add some unique flair to the lead track, MIN invited hip-hop rapper Lil Cherry to lend her edgy rapping skills and further elevate the captivating single. “I find her artistry very amazing,” MIN, in an exclusive interview with allkpop, on choosing Lil Cherry to feature in the song.

With the aim of proving herself that she’s able to craft a masterpiece that not only resonates with herself but also the listeners, MIN “hopes that you, too, can live the way you’d like without having to answer any critics and naysayers.” She said in a press release statement, “I hope that this album is one that empowers people, that instills in the listeners hope and empowerment.”

This change in how MIN views the world is evident in her artistry and how she came up with the album. After parting ways with her fellow members in miss A, MIN found herself wanting to come back to her artistic roots, where she was given the opportunity to embark on this rollercoaster journey: she relocated to New York. A city that inspired her to embrace her true identity. “[New York] is a special place in my heart,” she shared.

Spending over a decade in the music industry, MIN has brought a lot of takeaways with her that she continues applying to her life. One of those is learning to appreciate all the little things, recognizing that her success isn’t solely because of her own efforts, but also because of the help of those around her. “I wouldn’t even be having this interview with you if they weren’t around me,” said MIN.

To commemorate the release of MIN’s “PRIME TIME,” allkpop spoke with the singer to dive deeper into her musical career as well as her life’s biggest learnings. Check out our exclusive interview with MIN below!

MIN’s shout-out to allkpop readers:

allkpop: Congratulations on your new album, ‘PRIME TIME’! The album reflects your artistic growth. Could you describe to us that growth of yours? And what do you love about that process of seeing yourself grow?

MIN: I love that I could share this part of the journey with the fans and with people; that I could share and encourage someone through this album. I just wanted to talk about my journey throughout my whole life and music career. I hope the album empowers people, especially young women who feel like they need to prove themselves. I hope that this album is an answer to the people who doubted me or who doubted people in general. It’s your prime time!

allkpop: You also said in a press release that you felt as though you had to exist within a certain mold. As someone who’s gone through it, is there anything you’d like to say to newer idols, the juniors? Maybe a piece of advice or anything?

MIN: It’s really hard to lose yourself in the moment, especially when you’re riding your fame or whatever you’re going through. But I just want to say that don’t forget where you came from and don’t forget who you are. It’s really easy to be stuck in a certain mindset and certain situations.

allkpop: You relocated to New York after being in the K-pop industry for a long time. Why New York? For those readers who are still getting to know you, why do you think that’s the perfect place to continue your musical journey?

MIN: Well, I do have some life experiences in New York. I went to high school in New York City and I also trained here. So, it’s a special place in my heart. I’ve got this great opportunity, which was ‘KPOP.’ I was given the chance to be on a Broadway show. And I’ve always wanted to come back and experience more!

allkpop: The idea of the last track on the EP, “Happy Plant (A Call From Grandma)” is so heartwarming. Could you tell us more about it, and why this single holds a special place in your heart?

MIN: I was brought up by my grandmother. She never fails to let me know that someone is always there for me — that I’m very loved and supported. And there’s this plant in our house that she’s raising. It’s her baby. But it rarely blooms. Sometimes, it would bloom and she would always get so excited. She would always be like, “Good fortune is coming your way. I’m giving it all to you.” I’m sure a lot of people have that one special person in their hearts. I just want to remind people that someone out there is always supporting you and loves you unconditionally.

allkpop: While the focus track “PRIME TIME” is about empowering people and breaking free from your K-pop past. What are your thoughts on breaking down barriers you deliver through music? What message do you want to impart to them?

MIN: My message is to let people know that no one gets to tell you when your prime time is. For me, when I came to New York, that was another new chapter in my life. But then I saw a lot of people who were still stuck in my old era, which I’m also thankful for — that I had those experiences. But it’s, again, a new chapter for me, and I just want to embrace that and share it with people.

allkpop: You collaborated with Lil Cherry for the lead track. What made you choose her? And what was it like collaborating with her for “PRIME TIME”?

MIN: I think she’s an amazing artist. I’ve always found her work very extraordinary. She’s great. We actually worked together on her album and I was featured in one of her songs. That was when we kind of got close to each other. I find her artistry very amazing. I just thought this track would fit her perfectly. I wanted to have another female [voice] on my track, and I thought she was very unique. So, I reached out to her. That’s how we collaborated!

allkpop: You said that you hope this album empowers everyone that they can live the way that they’d like without having to answer to any critics and naysayers. When was the moment you started to apply that to your life? And how good was that change?

MIN: Well, I’m still in that process I would say. I’m not completely like, “Oh, f*** you guys! I don’t care what you think!” I think I’m just taking new baby steps towards figuring out myself and how to handle life and society, basically all the critics. But I think in this journey, I find it very free. You know, just being kind to myself even if I gain a little weight. I just want to be kind to myself. I want to say to myself, “Don’t be hurt. You’re brave. You’re beautiful as who you are.”

allkpop: The mini-album also represents your journey towards self-discovery. Tell us more about that. What are the changes that you felt in yourself? What are some facets that you were able to learn from yourself along the way?

MIN: Along the way, I’ve just learned to appreciate the little things. Every day I wake up and go to the studio. Sometimes, people forget that I started doing music because I loved doing it, right? But then I’ve been doing it for quite some time now. Sometimes you just forget, “Oh, I’ve always loved to dance! I’ve always loved to sing!” Just remember, be in the moment, and appreciate your surroundings. I think that’s what I learned. I’m very thankful that I have a great team. I work with great people and I met some awesome people. I wouldn’t even be having this interview with you if they weren’t around me. So, I’m very thankful to those people who are next to me and supporting me.

allkpop: And you recently celebrated your birthday, belated happy birthday! How has your 30s been so far and is there anything you started to realize the moment this chapter of your life unfolds?

MIN: It’s been great! I think I’m getting more comfortable with myself. You know, just getting comfortable in your own skin. That’s the part that I’ve learned most. Just listening to your own voice. I think being in my 30s really makes it different. When you’re in your 20s and you’re young, when someone is next to you, it’s very easy to be like, “Oh my God! Yeah!” But now, I think I’m more grounded. I’m now better at listening to my own voice.

allkpop: Is there anything else you’d like to say or add? A message for allkpop readers and your fans!

MIN: I’ve always been a fan of allkpop. I’m also a reader of allkpop! I’m doing what I’m doing because of my fans and the people who appreciate art. I’m going to try to keep working hard. You do you, it’s your prime time. It’s our prime time. Let’s go baby!

Socials:

Twitter: @therealminnnn
Instagram: @therealminnn
Youtube: @2min0