Roundtable Interview: cignature Takes Us Behind the Scenes of "Smooth Sailing" and ‘Us in the Summer’
On August 29, seven months after their previous release, K-Pop girl group cignature returned to the scene with an explosive summer EP titled Us in the Summer.
Breaking a personal record for the highest number of first-week sales, the EP consists of four tracks in total. The title track, "Smooth Sailing," is a city pop number that expresses one's feelings of first love in the summer. Apart from this, the group dives into themes of heartbreak, anxiety and trivial love while incorporating a mix of genres within the B-sides "Mess With My Mind," "Sorry So Sorry," and "Little Me."
The 7-piece group debuted in 2020 under J9 Entertainment with the members JEEWON, SEMI, CHAESOL, SELINE, CHLOE, DOHEE, and BELLE (who is currently on a break from the group’s activities due to her participation in SBS’ audition program Universe Ticket).
Photo Courtesy of J9 Entertainment
HALSUG recently had the opportunity to be a part of their roundtable interview and heard about the process behind the album's production from the members.
With the making of the EP, member CHLOE emphasized that the process was very "smooth sailing" despite the frequent changes in choreography. After sorting through about 50 songs, the members finally decided upon "Smooth Sailing" as their title track. The track, according to her, best captures the group's natural side since they feel more relaxed while performing it on stage.
Additionally, they got to add their personal touches to the title track in ways such as through outfit styling and choreography. JEEWON, in particular, had incorporated a "bow" into their choreography, which ended up being one of their signature moves for the song and can be seen in their TikTok collaborations with other idols. "It was actually for a challenge, but our CEO really liked it, so we are actually doing the 'bow' part in the actual choreography," CHLOE added.
Photos Courtesy of J9 Entertainment
Through time, the group has evolved in terms of its stage performances and sound. One significant change from their previous releases was that they got to tap into specific emotions and moods with each song this time round. According to CHLOE:
"...for this one, 'Sorry So Sorry,' we had to keep it down. For 'Little Me,' we had to express our inner self, [and] inner emotions, and for 'Smooth Sailing', it was like a shy girl; we had to express that kind of vibe. For 'Mess With My Mind', it is like talking to a friend about [the] hardship of love…"
CHAESOL then added that conveying the innocent excitement in "Smooth Sailing" lyrics, such as "mojji gateun pyojeong" (mochi-like expression), proved to be a bit difficult; however, all the members sailed through it with immense success. She also mentioned that she personally prepared for the album by immersing herself in movies and books that would bring back memories from the past.
Moreover, SEMI revealed that they received high praises from the director while recording vocals for "Sorry So Sorry." and therefore became her top pick from the album. "...listening to the final version fills me with pride," she added.
Photos Courtesy of J9 Entertainment
According to JEEWON, this album was their first attempt at capturing "the feeling of confusion," which is something everyone can relate to at some point in life. She hopes listeners find comfort in the songs, as their main intention with this release was to provide "a source of energy and positivity." Particularly, songs such as "Little Me" talk about healing one’s anxious inner child as they go through the trials and tribulations of their youth and adulthood.
After a lot of effort and thought put into it, the members were able to return to the stage with an album that showcased each member's qualities and vocal charms in a refreshing manner. With that being said, each member was asked to pick out a song that they thought would best represent the member sitting next to them.
SELINE: “I think the title track, "Smooth Sailing", really suits DOHEE well. She really killed her part in the song, and the recording was a smooth process for her. Also, her performance was top-level. So, I think the title track was an excellent fit for DOHEE.”
DOHEE: “I've selected "Little Me" as a song for CHAESOL. She serves as an exceptional advisor not just to our members but also to our fans, consistently offering uplifting words of encouragement. Given that "Little Me" centers on providing comfort to a worried self, I found it to be a reflection of CHAESOL's character. Additionally, her vocal tone really goes well with the song, further emphasizing why "Little Me" suits her so well.”
CHAESOL: “I believe the vibe of the song "Sorry So Sorry" is perfect for SEMI. Her voice tone, which initiates the song, harmonizes seamlessly with the track, making it very captivating right from the recording stage. Furthermore, the song's overall atmosphere, combined with her voice, allowed us to convey the essence of the song exceptionally well.”
SEMI: ""Smooth Sailing" is the track for CHLOE because she expresses the bubbly feeling of the song exceptionally well. Also, she did great in the introduction of the song, so I chose this song.”
CHLOE: “For me, it was really hard because I imagined JEEWON performing all the songs. But I also have to choose "Smooth Sailing" because she has the biggest and brightest smile, and I think it fits the mood of the song. So that's why when I think of JEEWON, I think of "Smooth Sailing", and she does the "annyeong, insahae (Hello, say hello)" part, and she does it the best with the hand waves, so I pick "Smooth Sailing" for JEEWON.”
JEEWON: “I believe "Sorry So Sorry" is SELINE's song because she's an outstanding performer. Her cool and chic vibe truly shines through in the song "Sorry So Sorry," and it accentuates her stage presence.”
In terms of the bright and colorful music video for the "Smooth Sailing" set in Japan, the members had lots of fun stories to share about their experience, including a memorable trip to the hair salon after the pool scene that SEMI reminisced about. DOHEE particularly mentioned that it was an incredibly exciting and fun experience as it was their first time filming a music video overseas. She personally felt the whole process improved their teamwork as well.
With the backdrop of a highschool, the music video follows the girls enjoying their time in school, preparing for a summer festival performance, while singing about their newfound love. According to JEEWON, this project was also their first time working with the director of "Smooth Sailing", who had been incredibly meticulous throughout the entire process. "…it was evident that he really understood our individual characteristics and incorporated them into the video. Moreover, he skillfully orchestrated scenes where the members with great chemistry appeared together."
One of SELINE's favorite moments from the process was a three-second firework scene shot by the beach at night. "I remember the filming staff, as well as the company staff, put in a lot of effort to create the most beautiful firework. They would light the fireworks one by one to create the most magnificent firework, and I think that's the best firework that I've ever seen in my life," she remarked. The end result of all the hard work is something we're sure a lot of us would love watching to revisit the happier times of the summer season.
Photos Courtesy of J9 Entertainment
Overall, 2023 has been quite the year for the group, with two comebacks, My Little Aurora and Us in the Summer, in the books. It was also the first time the group got to attend and perform at an awards ceremony–the Hanteo Music Awards 2023. Among the audience were the members' parents, who witnessed the group perform live for the first time after their debut amidst the pandemic. "I felt an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing I was showing my parents that I had achieved my dream," exclaimed DOHEE.
As this year draws to an end, the group hopes to be able to showcase more of members' unique aspects through their stage performances and looks forward to connecting more with their fanbase, known as "SignFan."
Photo Courtesy of J9 Entertainment
What was your favorite track off of Us in the Summer? Let us know in the comments below, or message us on Instagram or X (Twitter).
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Edited by Alliya Garcia