TOUCHED vocalist M!N seeks to resolve inner conflict between stage persona and true self through new album

The band TOUCHED has released 'Polar Night,' their first full-length album, capturing the members' inner selves and emotions that do not easily fade. This marks the band's first full-length studio album in approximately six years since their debut in 2021. The album features 12 tracks, including the double title tracks "Fallen Angel" and "Star," which contain the individual stories of each member. While TOUCHED has been known for showing an intense and energetic presence on stage, this album uses music to express internal emotions such as frustration, resentment, loss, and solitude. Vocalist M!N shared an experience of crying all day before a performance only to shout "I love you" to the audience the next day, stating that she wanted to use this album to resolve the discrepancy between her stage persona and her true self.

The journey toward the first full-length album

The agency previously announced that all tracks would be released on various online music sites at 12:00 PM on the day of release. Leading up to the album launch, teasing content such as cover art and mood films was released sequentially on the official social media accounts. The agency explained that the decision to release the teasing content at midnight was inspired by the album title, 'Polar Night,' aiming to suggest the emotions of the album through static imagery and narrative direction.

Regarding the delay in releasing their first full-length album, leader Kim Seung-bin explained that their first EP contained eight songs, and at that time, they chose to release an EP because they wanted to make a full-length album with higher perfection. Since then, the band became known through the audition program 'Great Seoul Invasion,' and the workload became tight as they needed to prepare songs for stage activities. “The first EP had eight songs. Back then, when we thought of a full-length album, we wanted to make it more complete, so we released an EP. Later, we became known to people through the audition program 'Great Seoul Invasion,' and since we felt we needed songs to perform on stage, the work became tight, which I think caused the delay,” Kim Seung-bin said. Member John B. Kim also noted that the release was delayed because they prioritized the desire to release a full-length album over other schedules.

Emotions captured in the unending night

The album title 'Polar Night' is derived from the phenomenon where the sun does not rise above the horizon, causing the night to continue. TOUCHED structured the album by comparing emotions that do not easily disappear over time to an unending night. They did not turn away from deep-seated emotions like frustration, resentment, loss, and solitude, but instead faced them, using music to tell the stories of the "night" held by each member. The agency stated the album contains 12 tracks, binding different stories and sounds into a single sentiment to contain the members' narratives.

Rather than simply bringing out new emotions different from the strong energy they have previously shown in performances, TOUCHED focused on dealing more deeply with the emotions already present in their music. Chae Do-hyeon explained that the color of this album might feel unfamiliar to those who have listened to previous TOUCHED music, noting that many gloomy songs are included. Kim Seung-bin said they wanted to tell stories containing the inner selves of the four members. He explained that instead of seeking help from other sessions, they aimed for a sound that highlighted the four members, and that the lyrics and sound became darker as they included their inner stories. The agency also stated they intended to honestly reveal the depression, anxiety, and complex inner emotions that exist behind the energy shown on stage.

Two stories in "Fallen Angel" and "Star"

'Polar Night' features "Fallen Angel" and "Star" as double title tracks. These two songs were first revealed on major festival stages this year prior to their official digital release and are now released through this album. Kim Seung-bin explained that "Fallen Angel" compares the process of how everyone is a pure being at birth but makes mistakes and errors as they grow, to the image of a falling angel. He wanted to capture the resentment felt in situations that occur even when one does not wish for them. “Those processes felt like an angel falling. I don't want to be like that either, but I wanted to contain that resentment and tell that story,” Kim Seung-bin said.

M!N stated that "Star" contains themes of meeting and parting, and memories that only those who shared that time can remember. She pointed out that in Korea, the word 'annyeong' is used for both hello and goodbye, and explained how it was upsetting that one might be the only person left to hold the memories of someone after they leave or pass away. The song also carries the meaning of loading the memories of two people onto a star in the sky and naming that star 'Our Annyeong.' M!N noted that the title of the song carries the dual meaning of 'ibyeol' (parting) and 'i byeol' (this star) in the sky. The two title tracks are included in the album, each telling stories of mistakes and resentment, and meeting and parting.

Music found between stage image and inner self

M!N said she often writes songs based on her own experiences. The track "Night of the Soul" originated from an experience where people dancing to loud music in a club appeared to look dead. TOUCHED is often perceived through their intense and energetic songs, performances, and charisma on stage. M!N said that while continuing to stand on stage with that image, she began to think back to the reason why she makes music. During the preparation for the full-length album, she brought up the topic that everyone experiences depression, and the members agreed to deal with their respective inner selves through music.

M!N reflected on times when she would tell the audience words of love and support on stage, only to feel as though no one recognized her difficult situation after stepping off. Having experienced crying all day before a performance and then shouting "I love you" on stage the next day, she stated she wanted to tell this story through music. She explained that while telling inner stories was the reason for making music, she felt frustrated because she could not tell them, leading to moments where it felt like she was continuously telling a different story on stage. M!N told the members that while they are enduring for now, they felt as though they might burst if they continued this way, and she wanted to resolve this musically. She stated that this album contains not only her own experiences but also the stories of the members.

The band has also confirmed their appearance at the 3rd Korea Grand Music Awards Music Day to be held at Gocheok Sky Dome on November 8. According to the agency, this is the first time TOUCHED will appear on a K-pop popular music awards stage, and they are the only band participating among the lineup for the second day.

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