Lee Hong-gi’s eyes twinkled as he addressed reporters and talked about his songs.

The press conference, held in Seoul on Thursday to promote the FT Island frontman’s second solo EP, was self-hosted.

Breaking with tradition, Lee took to the stage with no one else to speak for him, confessing that he was very nervous.

“I decided to come up here alone to talk about my album with more sincerity,” he said, before introducing the songs that he’d personally written, composed and produced.

His new album, titled “Do n Do,” starts out with the lead track “Cookie,” a future pop song that features Ilhoon of BTOB and carries a message of hope. Lee explained that he’d come up with the title after watching an Avengers movie and seeing the post-credits scene, also called a “cookie clip.”




“Just like a cookie clip leaves viewers anticipating the next film, the song embodies my hope to just go on with life with people I trust,” Lee said.

“Since it’s my last solo album before enlistment, I wanted to tell people to keep having expectations for me through the song,” he added.

The six-track album also includes “I Am,” featuring rapper Cheetah, “Come to Me,” featuring Zuho of SF9, modern rock “Yellow” and acoustic “Good Night.”

With his 30th birthday right around the corner, the singer said he plans to enlist next year. But he didn’t seem especially concerned about the upcoming hiatus.




“About 12 years have passed since my debut, and I’ve released numerous albums. But still, I haven’t fully found my own self. I saw a huge success right after the debut, as well as a dramatic drop in our popularity,” he said.

“I thought we were heading for demise soon, but I’m thankful that FT Island is still here. I always tell our members that the band will shine brighter when we’re in our 30s and 40s. I’m also looking forward to my 30s, as after being discharged from the army, I will be opening a second chapter of my life.”

Lee debuted as a solo artist with the EP “FM302” in November 2015.

Also a popular TV personality, he recently participated in multiple TV programs including the Mnet audition program “Produce 48,” in which the singer was a vocal trainer for the contestants.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)