Courtesy of RBW

Moonbyul, the prominent main rapper of K-pop group Mamamoo, embarks on a solo journey to discover her authentic musical identity with the release of her debut studio album, "Starlit of Muse," scheduled for Tuesday.

After a decade with Mamamoo, Moonbyul, 31, has diligently worked to define herself beyond her established image as the group's main rapper, known for her distinctive deep voice and boyish charm. Her versatility in rap, dance, and vocals has often taken a backseat to her bandmates' remarkable vocal abilities, such as Solar, Wheein, and Hwasa. 

▲ Courtesy of RBW

A pivotal moment in Moonbyul's solo career occurred in November 2022 when she emerged as the winner of "Second World," JTBC's audition program for main rappers of female idol groups with vocal abilities. This victory boosted her confidence and prompted a reevaluation of her artistic identity.

In preparation for her studio album, Moonbyul undertook vocal and dance lessons to expand her artistic boundaries. The album, comprising 12 songs across diverse genres like hip-hop, disco-funk, R&B, ballad pop, and punk-rock, reflects her newfound exploration.

▲ Courtesy of RBWMoonbyul's focus on improving her vocal skills has led to a rapid expansion of her vocal range, allowing her to experiment with a wider array of music genres. The album features two lead tracks, "Think About" and "Touchin&Movin."

The artist acknowledged the support from her Mamamoo bandmates during her career transition, expressing gratitude for their encouragement. Moonbyul remains dedicated to her singing career and envisions continuing in the industry for another 10 years.

Looking forward, Moonbyul aspires to delve into soothing music instead of dance genres and eventually hopes to start a band with instrumentalists as she matures in her career.

Sayart

Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com