Today, HYBE Labels is synonymous with global K-pop domination, home to superstar acts like BTS and a sprawling network of agencies and producers.
Before the company became a cultural powerhouse, its first step into the industry came not with an idol group, but with a balladeer. Lee Hyun, a vocalist known for his emotionally resonant tone, was BigHit Music’s very first artist, long before Bang Si-hyuk became a household name in K-pop.
As the main singer of the coed trio 8eight, Lee introduced BigHit’s early sound with ballads like “Without a Heart” (2009) and “Goodbye, My Love” (2009). He later cemented his presence as a soloist with the 2011 chart-topping hit “You Are the Best of My Life,” and went on to become a familiar voice through original soundtracks for K-dramas.
Now, after 13 years and eight months, Lee is breaking his silence with the new six-track mini album “A(E)ND” and its title track “Let You Go,” set for release Tuesday. His comeback is more than a nostalgic return — it’s a reminder of the voice that anchored BigHit before it built its empire.
“I honestly didn’t even realize it had been that long until I saw it in an article,” the 41-year-old singer said with a laugh during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul’s Yongsan district Friday.
“Music and the stage are the biggest reasons I exist, and I feel like I neglected them. I just feel sorry for the fans. This album is my way of making up for that.”
The official jacket image for singer Lee Hyun’s upcoming mini album, “A(E)ND” / Courtesy of BigHit Music
Lee spent much of his hiatus away from the spotlight. About seven years ago, he began studying MIDI production to understand music more deeply, while also venturing into musicals.
“I don’t dislike playing in musicals,” he says, “but my passion was always more with records and concerts.” Personally, he admits he “hit rock bottom,” spending years wondering what message or genre could feel more meaningful.
The turning point came last year, according to the singer, when he stopped insisting on handling everything himself.
“At first, I wanted to release only songs I wrote, but I wasn’t ready. So I asked for songs instead. I was flooded,” he recalled.
Between BigHit’s longtime producer Pdogg and HYBE’s A&R team, he received around 140 demos for the latest album. Selecting the final track list took months, but one song, “Let You Go,” stood out immediately.
“My favorite ballads always carry a ‘BigHit quality.’ It’s not just pure ballads, but with rock-based R&B elements. This one had a catchy melody but also unexpected turns,” he said.
As part of 8eight, Lee helped usher in a wave of emotionally charged ballads in the late 2000s. His solo career cemented that reputation, but the singer said he doesn’t want to be defined by the past.
“If raw earnestness was considered a virtue before in the ballad realm, now I think emotional restraint is the virtue,” he says. “I don’t know if listeners will catch the difference right away, but if you hear the album as a whole, I think you’ll feel it.”
The record also features a collaboration with vocalist Song Ha-young from K-pop girl group fromis_9, which he described as an unexpected highlight.
“The result was better than I expected. It surprised me,” he said.
Lee has seen BigHit’s transformation into HYBE up close. “BigHit’s way of music making was always meticulous, even when the company was small,” he said.
“The process hasn’t really changed. The approval lines just got bigger. The biggest difference is that now there are more songs, better songs, to choose from.”
Though he doesn’t often cross paths with the company’s superstar juniors, he recalled a chance meeting with Jin of BTS at the gym.
“He told me he had listened to the album … Hearing his encouragement meant a lot.”
Now preparing to bring “A(E)ND” to the stage, Lee has been carefully crafting his setlist, balancing his solo career with his legacy in 8eight. The trio, which will mark its 20th anniversary in two years, has already begun discussing a commemorative album.
As for chart performance, he was more pragmatic.
“The charts used to be everything, but now I don’t think they mean much,” he said. “I just want these songs to be heard here and there, whenever, wherever. Honestly, I don’t think many of my songs make people want to sing along. But with this one, I hope listeners will feel like they want to sing it themselves.”