Having followed THE BOYZ for years and captured their electric energy live on stage here in London, I’ve had a front-row seat to Jacob’s growth as an artist. From his commanding presence in the group to the intricate nuances of his vocal performances, he has always been a standout talent. So, when the news broke of his official solo debut, I knew I couldn’t miss the chance to dive deeper into this new chapter.
On June 10, 2026, Jacob stepped firmly into the spotlight with his first digital EP, ‘j.’ This 7-track EP is more than just a collection of songs; it is a meticulously crafted, personal project that peels back the layers of Jacob’s identity as a soloist. From the infectious collaboration with his group-mate Sunwoo on “Back & Forth” to the atmospheric sounds of the title track “Slow Dancing,” the record showcases an artist who is not only ready to step out on his own but is eager to experiment with new textures and creative directions.
I caught up with Jacob to discuss the transition from the collaborative environment of a group to the singular focus of a solo artist, the stories behind the tracks, and his aspirations for the future. Whether you’re a long-time supporter of THE BOYZ or a new listener drawn in by his solo sound, this conversation offers a rare, intimate look at the hard work and passion that went into bringing ‘j.’ to life.
Davide: Hi Jacob, thank you so much for joining me today—it is truly an honour to have you here. I have to start by saying a huge congratulations on your solo debut with ‘j.’. Having had the pleasure of covering and shooting your performance with THE BOYZ in London, it has been incredible to watch your evolution over the last few years. Stepping into this solo spotlight, how did you find the creative process for this mini-album to be different from the collaborative dynamics you’re used to within a group, and what did you learn about yourself as an artist by having to lead that process alone?
Jacob: Thank you so much! I’d say creatively, for this album, I was a part of every single detail from start to finish, which involved a lot more communicating and researching on my end! Also, I learned that it’s way more than just the music. Communication is key to making this work at all, and there were so many things I had to do aside from the music to ensure that this album could come out, and that was a very new experience!
Davide: Looking at the project as a whole, the EP ‘j.’ feels like a very personal statement. With seven tracks that span a range of moods—from the collaboration with Sunwoo on ‘Back & Forth’ to the feature with Wonderframe on ‘Promise’—how did you curate the soundscape for this album to ensure it captured your authentic identity, and were there specific stories you felt you could only tell in this solo format?
Jacob: While I wanted the songs to be able to have similar vibes to each other while also being different, I felt like I really chose the songs that represented who I want to be as an artist! I think this solo project really shares that, and I feel it wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t a solo setting!
Davide: The title track, ‘Slow Dancing,’ really stands out as the emotional anchor of the record. Could you take us behind the scenes of the writing and production? I’d also love to hear about the visual direction for the music video; what story were you hoping to express through the aesthetics, and was there a particular moment or scene on set that really captured the feeling you wanted to evoke?
Jacob: Slow Dancing was a song that was written mainly by Kwaca and Gemini, and was gifted to me, saying it would suit this album! I was told I could do whatever I wanted to it, but I really like how it already was, so I only added a bit to it, and that’s how it came to life! For the music video, I was hoping that whoever watched it would get the feels haha! Since the song is called ” Slow Dancing, ” I feel like the scenes with slow dancing in it helped create the mood!
Davide: You have some fantastic collaborations on this record, including Sunwoo and the talented Thai artist Wonderframe. These features add such unique textures to the EP. When you are conceptualising a track, how do you decide which voices or artists will help bring that specific vision to life, and what did they bring to the studio that perhaps pushed the songs in directions you hadn’t originally thought about?
Jacob: Both Sunwoo and Wonderframe have amazing voices as well as a very different sound from me, so I thought they would be able to bring something new! My thought became a reality because they both added their own colour and made the song more fun and unique!
Davide: Now that the album is out and the world is listening, what is one feeling or message you hope stays with your fans after they finish listening to the final track, ‘Stars In The Sky’? And looking ahead, how has this experience of releasing j shifted your perspective on the music you want to create in the future, whether solo or with the group?
Jacob: I hope that the fans can look forward to what’s to come, because I still have so much I want to show! I realised while making this album that there are so many things I want to explore musically, and I want the fans to come along with me for the ride! I want to make it a Rollercoaster experience for everyone listening to my music, and I can’t wait for the next step!
Davide: Thanks, JACOB, for diving into your first digital mini-album with me today. It has been a pleasure talking to you and getting to know your artistry a bit better. Thanks for your time, and keep up the good work!
Make sure to stream ‘Slow Dancing’ on your digital platforms and follow Jacob’s journey along the way.
DAVIDE K-POP 