Fantasy, the time has come! Inseong has released his 1st Mini album, titled Crossfade:.
With Crossfade:, Inseong introduces his first mini album as a solo artist, offering a project that feels really personal. Following SF9’s world tour, this release arrives at a moment where he appears ready to explore his own sound and perspective in a more focused way.
Rather than aiming for a bold statement, Crossfade: leans into sincerity. Across five tracks, Inseong reflects on self-expression, connection, and memory, creating an album that feels cohesive and intentional.
The Tracklist
- ‘Mute is Off’
- ‘Feast of the Night’
- ‘Trying To Love’
- ‘Stained Memory’
- ‘Still You, Now Me’
‘Mute Is Off’
From the very first moments, ‘Mute is Off’ feels like a declaration.
The music video keeps Inseong front and center, surrounded by color yet grounded in intimacy. It’s a fitting choice for Inseong’s first mini-album, putting all attention where it should be: on him, his voice, and the message he’s trying to deliver. Visually, it’s simple but effective, and symbolically, the scenes with the typewriter feel especially telling. They read as moments of him pouring his thoughts out, unedited, before finally stepping forward with more confidence in who he is.
The song speaks about shedding fear and standing unhidden as one’s true self. It’s about choosing to be heard after staying silent for too long. Consequently, the track feels quietly brave. The melody stays upbeat, but the words cut deep — a contrast that works incredibly well here.
Knowing that Inseong took part in writing and composing the song makes it hit even harder. His vocal tone carries a warmth that turns the lyrics into something almost healing. It doesn’t just tell you to be brave—it makes you feel braver too.
Before I know it, I’m standing
As myself, unhidden
‘Feast Of The Night’
‘Feast of the Night’ leans into the idea of quiet comfort rather than emotional intensity.
The song speaks to exhaustion, to days filled with restraint and unspoken feelings, and to the need for rest after enduring more than expected. Instead of offering solutions, the lyrics focus on presence: sitting together, sharing both sadness and joy, and allowing the night to hold those feelings for a while.
This musical approach is reflected in Inseong’s delivery. His voice remains warm and slightly husky in the verses, creating a sense of closeness and some comfort. As the chorus opens up, the vocals rise with more strength, but never overwhelm the message. Consequently, the song feels steady and reassuring, framing comfort as something simple and shared rather than dramatic.
Even if tears fall, I will shine more light on those overwhelming days coming to you
‘Trying To Love’
‘Trying To Love’ shifts the mood again, this time into something tender and sweet.
Centered around the early stages of romantic feelings, the track captures uncertainty and hesitation rather than grand emotion. The lyrics focus on wanting connection while struggling with self-doubt, which gives the song a relatable quality.
The song stays light and gentle, with Inseong’s vocals sounding warm and steady throughout. As a result, ‘Trying To Love’ feels like one of the album’s easiest listens, adding a sweeter contrast to the more reflective tracks around it.
Hate being alone on this night I want to be with you
I hate hate hate myself for having no courage
‘Stained Memory’
In ‘Stained Memory’, Inseong focuses on lingering feelings that refuse to fade, even after some time has passed.
The lyrics describe memories resurfacing unexpectedly—warmth, a flood of emotions once pushed aside, and moments that remain vivid despite repeated attempts to forget. It centers on persistence: memories filling every part of the narrator, stained with someone’s presence and color.
Most importantly, the longing here is unresolved. The repeated wish to meet “just once” suggests not closure, but the hope that even a brief encounter might finally allow those memories to be released. As a result, the song feels like a healing heartbreak, capturing what it means to live alongside memories that no longer belong to the present.
The laughter and the tears, the memories and the recollection
Hoping to meet you again at least once
I live like this today too, in the memories stained with you
‘Still You, Now Me’
‘Still You, Now Me’ focuses on how memory becomes part of everyday routine.
The lyrics follow repeated actions—waking up, revisiting familiar places, replaying the same song—showing how habits tied to someone else can persist over time. The contrast between “you were there then” and “I am here now” frames the song’s emotional core. Rather than searching for answers or closure, the narrator simply observes the distance that now exists, continuing to trace it through memory.
By the end, the song remains suspended between past and present. ‘Still You, Now Me’ captures the feeling of moving on in life while emotionally circling around the same moment, where memory continues to guide the way back.
Your touch that used to embrace me so warmly
Like yesterday and like today, I cannot remember you saying goodbye
Believing that it is just a dream and that it is not true
Inseong’s Solo Era Starts Strong
What we like most about Inseong’s first mini-album Crossfade: is that it feels clear and consistent. It’s a focused debut that highlights mood, message, and Inseong’s voice as the main thread throughout the tracklist. As a result, Crossfade: works best as a full listen. It’s a solid introduction to his solo direction, and it leaves a clear impression of what Inseong wants to explore moving forward.
Now we want to hear from you: which song connected with you the most, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us on X at @thehoneypop. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more coverage of your faves.
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