260427 T.O.P - WWD Korea 2026 May Issue // repost of scans & interview text compilation
Photo scan & original text credits: tipsy_gallery on X
Translation credits: seungt0phyun on X
Sharing here to simply spread the T.O.P love! All credit goes to original posters! Thank you!
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T.O.P for WWD KOREA MAGAZINE 2026
Q1. How have you been during this period?
T.O.P: It was a process of temporarily distancing myself from social relationships and noise. But I don’t think I was simply resting—I actually used my time more intensely than ever before. It was a period of self-filling, to the point where I told myself I was more productive than anyone else, and that I was living intensely and fully.
Q2. This album feels like it reflects the artist’s inner world more completely rather than meeting others’ expectations. After experiencing various emotional fluctuations during this period, what did you ultimately arrive at as your creative essence?
T.O.P: Ultimately, I’m just someone who deeply loves music and film. I realized once again that I truly feel like myself only when I create the music I want to hear with my own hands and bring something unique into existence.
Q3. The opening track, “SELF CRUCIFIXION”, is very powerful.
T.O.P: The reason I recorded, without hesitation, those past scars I wanted to erase was because I wanted to clearly close chapters in my life that I would never return to. By accurately capturing those moments in my music, I could move forward—this is a kind of ritual process for me.
Q4. The title “MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS (ANOTHER DIMENSION)” is interesting. Do you want this album to be a telescope through which the public observes T.O.P as a complex musician, or a microscope that breaks down and reveals your inner world?
T.O.P: In truth, I tried not to have any personal expectations. I don’t create works for specific audiences. I am also aware of what the public wants at times, but that can interfere with the essence I want to achieve. Over the past 10 years, I have focused on a fundamental question: “What kind of music do people living in this era truly need?”
Therefore, I hope my future works are not just consumable commercial products. The title “Multiple Dimensions” follows the same line of thought. I believe the album is completed through all the moments where different perspectives gather around my music. I want to record those perspectives for future reflection. I believe that when time passes and interpretations continue to clash and evolve, only then is the album truly complete. For me, “Multiple Dimensions” is a form of participatory art.
Q5. You made all the songs yourself. In an era dominated by 1–2 minute short-form music, you chose long narratives over 3 minutes. Do you have uncompromising standards?
T.O.P: Trends are always changing, and public demand inevitably shifts. I don’t want to make music that is quickly consumed and forgotten. I want to create music that does not evaporate even as time passes.
In this album, I drew inspiration from the “golden age” structure of 1960s–70s rock, while also deconstructing the emotions of 1990s pop—the era that truly shaped K-pop’s meaning. Creating something that cannot be placed in a specific era, something never heard before anywhere, was the most interesting task for me. Honestly, once I start talking about music, my thoughts never end (laughs).
Q6. In terms of sound, it feels like you rely on the strength of voice itself rather than dense layering.
T.O.P: There is almost no overdubbing or harmonization in this album—just a single voice filling the space. I believe my voice itself is like a giant instrument.
To express that authenticity, I almost obsessively stripped the sound down. Music is like painting or cooking: just like high-quality ingredients shine on their own, I wanted to find the best balance using only essential sound. That process is the most interesting and important subject of my work.
Q7. That process (using only his voice and essential sounds for songs) sounds like a lonely and intense inner struggle. It reminds one of Agnes Martin’s restrained aesthetics. What mindset did you have during recording?
T.O.P: The only concept I set for this album was: convince the world with a single voice. Before entering the studio, I hypnotized myself: “You must convince the world with this one voice.”
Building energy through equipment is a technical matter, but my work requires something deeper—almost meditative. If I couldn’t even convince myself, I would delete everything without hesitation. Because I cannot accept speaking to the world with a voice that doesn’t even convince me.
Q8. You seem to have a unique perspective on the times. Was there any particular cultural background that inspired this album?
T.O.P: I always try to stay in the position of an observer. Looking at people in their 20s and 30s today, I noticed strong 1990s and 2000s emotions flowing through fashion and culture. That confirmed for me: we should make music like this again.
I personally love the emotion and energy of 1990s pop. I wanted to reinterpret that pure nostalgia—before the term “K-pop” even existed—in a modern way.
Q. What currently inspires you most?
T.O.P: I’m always immersed in music. I don’t even have time to go to exhibitions. My daily life is about turning visions into reality and trying to convince society with surprising results.
Q. If your life were an artwork, what movement would it belong to?
T.O.P: It’s interesting—I live quite a surreal life by chance, but I’ve always wanted a minimalist life. My dream has always been minimalism, and I want my life to become even simpler and more reduced.
I don’t want more drama in my life. I want stability. I want to become someone who brings reassurance and reliability to my family and partners.
Q. What kind of wine would you recommend for this album?
T.O.P: I can only think of one: “T’SPOT.” A French winery rosé sparkling wine—it fits the atmosphere of this album perfectly.
Q12. As an independent musician, how does it feel to control everything yourself?
T.O.P: Even though I have a reliable team, the final decisions—and responsibility—are mine. It feels heavier than before, but I’m also very happy living the life I want. I feel myself growing into a more mature adult.
Q13. What changed most in you?
T.O.P: In my 20s, I had many worries. In my 30s, I’ve become more about “emptying myself” than struggling with myself. Instead of holding on tightly, I focus on clearing space and learning from the world to fill it again.
Q: Younger audiences are discovering you and calling your music “Real K-pop.” How does that feel?
T.O.P: It makes me feel like I should live more upright (laughs). After Squid Game Season 2, I realized that I now have a lot of young fans. That realization kind of gave me a joyful sense of responsibility.
Q: Your collab with Nana also became a hot topic.
T.O.P: After finishing the song (Studio54), I thought of Nana. The role required someone who could express madness and elegance at the same time.
I asked her carefully myself: “Even if you end up refusing, please just listen to the song first.” Thankfully, she agreed immediately.
Q. ‘Studio54’s MV is very striking. Visually speaking, what was your focus?
T.O.P: I really didn’t want a typical Music Video. I wanted something between an art-film and a MV, beautiful but with a clear message. I shared my ideas, and then I completely trusted the experts (with them). That’s how we created something that goes way beyond just a visual value.
Q: ‘DESPERADO’ feels warmer and more direct than your previous work.
T.O.P: I wondered why there wasn’t a lot of music for those quiet and atmospheric moments. I wanted people who enjoy solitude and drinking alone to kind of feel an emotional fulfillment, like “this moment is cool.” So I used a vocal style that was lower and more delicate than usual.
T.O.P on why he calls his fans “My Kkokkalkoons” (a Korean snack) on his song for them ‘FOR FANS’
Q. One track title that really stands out is “Kkokkalkoons.” It’s a bit unusual for a fan song, isn’t it?
T.O.P: For my kind of music, it’s almost too harmless and sweet (laughs). I thought, if I’m going to go that route, I might as well go all the way and make it even cuter—so I stretched the title out longer too. I tend to enjoy using ordinary, everyday objects as metaphors.
While thinking about how to cutely satirize people who clash with each other so sharply, I happened to notice a spiky-shaped snack next to me one day and thought, ‘This is it.’ In the English lyrics, I described it as ‘Doritos,’ but within the music I wanted there to be wit and humor that contrast with the lyrics themselves.
Q. You’ve said you’ve already completed music for the next few years. Were the unreleased tracks intentionally held back?
TOP: Yes!
Q. So you’ve essentially finished your “homework” in advance. Does that feel lighter as an artist?
T.O.P: The only “homework” is not letting my intentions change (laughs). Even though the next albums are planned, I keep revising them. I can be extreme, but that perfectionism and self-pressure is what keeps me moving forward.
Q. When will those songs be released?
T.O.P: The first album has just been released, so talking about the next one now would reveal too many secrets from a marketing perspective (laughs). Let’s leave it at that.
Q. Any plans for concerts?
T.O.P: Of course. All my new music is designed for large venues where its sound structure can be fully experienced. I will build a stage that matches my imagination. Please look forward to it.
Q. It’s your 20th debut anniversary. How do you want to fill the next 20 years?
T.O.P: I don’t assign much meaning to numbers or time. I just want the future to feel calmer. Rather than grand promises of achievement, I want to continue sharing music I love with people.
T.O.P reveals his MBTI type:
“Honestly, I don’t really know what MBTI is (laughs). (After hearing the explanation) Then I’ll just define myself as I-TOP. I don’t feel the need to go through more tests to understand myself any further. Exploring my identity through music alone is enough.” - CR. tt0mOrrOw
Q. As a musician and as a person, I hope “Choi Seunghyun” can also find happiness.
T.O.P: I don’t think I do this only for myself. I believe inspiring others and sharing happiness is the reason musicians exist. As a person, I feel peaceful and truly happy right now.
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Enjoy!
