Shaun, the Way Back Home hitmaker back from military service in South Korea, talks about his new singles Blue and Closed Ending
- Closed Ending is reminiscent of Shaun’s 2018 hit Way Back Home, and the singer says that’s his way of thanking fans of the earlier track
- Both it and Blue have lyrics about separation and break-ups, and their release marks the end of a two-year hiatus for the singer
South Korean singer Shaun returned last week with singles Closed Ending and Blue, the latter of which features rapper Wonstein. Both songs were released on an album titled #0055b7 – the hex code used in digital art for the colour blue. His first songs in nearly two years come after he took a break from music to complete his mandatory military service.
Closed Ending is reminiscent of his dreamy super hit from 2018, Way Back Home, he tells the Post over a video call – but not because he’s banking on it being another sure-fire, copycat chart-topper.
“After a massive hit, you may want to do something similar because of the success, awards and the recognition,” the singer says. “But, as a musician, that’s not what I strive for. I believe in talking about what I’m feeling, expressing it and sharing it. It’s how I’ve made and presented music since Way Back Home. I think that’s the feeling an artist should have, and the music I’d like to release.”
So why did Shaun want to return with a song so imbued with parallels? Although it does not necessarily help him grow as an artist, he felt it was worth revisiting the stylistic tone of his 2018 hit to express his recognition and gratitude to those who think of Way Back Home as a soundtrack for their own memories.
“Through my military service, I realised Way Back Home is packaged in different memories for many people. I heard it from a lot of people and realised it had a special meaning. Closed Ending came out of the appreciation that people had for Way Back Home, so I arranged it with a similar style.”
Though the new tracks draw inspiration from his earlier music, Shaun says writing them helped him explore his artistry and reflect on how to express himself musically. “I think the moment when a music creator and the listener connect is when some kind of meaning is created. How the artist presents their thoughts and meanings to listeners … that’s when the special moment is created.”