N.Flying’s Lee Seung-hyub on pushing himself to the limit to make solo mini album On The Track
- Under the name of his alter ego J.Don, Lee of South Korean pop rockers N.Flying showcases a distinctive brand of rhythmic rock-rap on his first solo album
- Creating the album was tough, he says, because he wanted the music to be perfect. He’s not counting on it charting, and sees it as introducing him as a soloist
Lee Seung-hyub is known as the band leader and rapper of South Korean pop rockers N.Flying, but he’s also trying to go his own way with his alter ego, J.Don.
The name was coined by a friend for Lee to use while exploring how to express himself musically. “Rap is how I can share my feelings in an efficient way since a lot of words can be fitted into a rap,” the 28-year-old artist tells the Post following the release of his first mini album, the three-track On The Track.
Released on February 22 and fronted by the single Clicker, On The Track derives its title from the call-out phrase at the start of many of his verses: “J.Don on the track.” The stage name doesn’t mean anything specific to Lee, but it helps him differentiate his roles as a soloist and as a member of N.Flying.
“I’m not usually the one singing the main chorus on stage [for N.Flying] so as J.Don I’m able to get to try new things. It’s a way for me to hide that I’m Seung-hyub,” he says.
Within N.Flying, who were formed in 2013 but flew under the radar until 2019 and their breakout hit Rooftop, Lee does a little bit of everything: the band’s website lists his roles as “leader, rap, vocal, guitar, piano”. He is also a songwriter, has collaborated with other artists, and began acting a few years ago.