Earning the label of “super rookie” even before she officially debuted, 17-year-old rising soloist GYUBIN has had quite the career trajectory thus far.
On April 25th at 6 p.m. KST, the singer returns with her latest single “Special,” a track featuring life mentor and friend Kim Jong Wan of the veteran Korean rock band NELL. The legendary vocalist and multi-instrumentalist also wrote and produced the song which aims to send a message of comfort to young listeners who may be enduring times of loneliness.
Ultimately, “Special” sings hope. I hope this song can be a huge support to everyone who is going through a hard time.
— NELL’s Kim Jong Wan
Starting with a dreamy guitar riff at a medium tempo, the band sound gradually fills in to reveal a deep NELL-style sensibility while GYUBIN’s crystal clear vocals are delicate but firm in conveying the song’s message. With synths that evoke a starry night sky and the dramatic string arrangement of the bridge, the song invites the listener to be in the middle of it all.
Additionally, “Special” serves as a gift from GYUBIN to her fans in honor of 100 days since her very successful debut.
I made this track with nervousness, excitement, and gratitude, and it was great to work with Kim Jong Wan of NELL, a senior whom I truly respect. It is unbelievable but today marks the 100th day since I received so much love with “Really Like You.” To all my special fans who have been with me for 100 days, I present the gift of “Special.”
— GYUBIN
The song is the last chapter in the collaboration project trilogy which sees the young vocalist perform alongside popular artists in the K-music industry.
The trilogy began during her pre-debut period with “Scribble,” featuring rapper Wonstein in September 2023, followed by the November release “Start To Shine,” featuring GAEKO of Dynamic Duo.
Both songs were well-received, gaining GYUBIN worldwide success and the impressive “super rookie” title that continues to follow her with each subsequent release.
Finally, in January of this year, GYUBIN made her highly-anticipated debut with the catchy teen pop track “Really Like You.” The song has been streamed over eight million times on Spotify and upon its release, it entered the Viral 50 Spotify Chart in various countries including South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
To discover the “super rookie” for yourself, you can find all of GYUBIN’s music and links to her official accounts on this page. Check out the music video for “Special” with Kim Jong Wan of NELL below!
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Justin is an Aussie K-pop fanboy passionate about underrated and under-loved artists. He loves all types of music and is a dedicated TV show and soap opera viewer.
MEDIA: Liveworks Company