Min Jiwoon Breaks Ground as KRUCIALIZE's First Artist with Debut EP "Pink, then grey"
Min Jiwoon has officially launched her solo career with the release of "Pink, then grey" on August 22, marking a historic moment as the first artist signed to SM Entertainment's contemporary R&B label KRUCIALIZE. The debut represents a significant shift for SM, which hasn't launched a female solo artist in years.
Double Title Tracks Tell Love's Complete Story
The six-track EP centers around dual title songs "Scared of Love" and "byebye," both entirely written and composed by Min Jiwoon herself. These tracks bookend the emotional spectrum of romantic relationships-from initial butterflies to final goodbyes.
"Scared of Love" blends acoustic guitar with heavy bass lines, capturing the anxiety and excitement of new romance, while "byebye" delivers an urban contemporary sound produced by global team 2DUMB, expressing confident liberation from a ended relationship.
"I wanted to show love's journey through colors-from pink excitement to gray endings across these six songs," Min explained during her Seoul showcase on August 21.
From Social Media Covers to SM's Newest Star
Min Jiwoon's path to KRUCIALIZE began unexpectedly through her personal Instagram covers. A KRUCIALIZE representative discovered her music online and reached out directly through DM. What started as shock turned into opportunity when the label offered her the chance to be their inaugural artist.
"I was surprised at first, but after hearing their vision for expanding SM's music with R&B, I knew I wanted to be part of it," she said.
KRUCIALIZE Launches SM's R&B Evolution
KRUCIALIZE officially launched in May 2024 as SM Entertainment's contemporary R&B subsidiary. The label name combines "crucial" and "ize," meaning to make something decisive, reflecting SM's commitment to broadening K-pop's musical spectrum beyond traditional pop sounds.
Min Jiwoon first gained recognition through her 2018 debut as "Min Ziwoon" with single "Homerun," then re-emerged in October 2024 with KRUCIALIZE debut track "Sentimental Love".
Collaborative Dreams and Musical Identity
The singer credits her distinctive vocal tone-"not extremely low or high, just uniquely mine"-as her main strength. Her influences span from Ariana Grande to established Korean singer-songwriters, though she's determined to carve her own artistic path.
Looking ahead, Min Jiwoon expressed interest in collaborating with SM labelmate NCT's Mark, praising his hands-on approach to songwriting and production. "Working with Mark could create interesting chemistry since we both write our own music," she noted.
Breaking New Ground for Female Artists
Min Jiwoon acknowledged the significance of being SM's first female solo artist in years, saying "There's responsibility and pressure to prepare well for every stage, but I'm grateful for this opportunity".
Her debut timing couldn't be more strategic, as the K-pop industry increasingly embraces diverse genres beyond traditional idol pop. With KRUCIALIZE's backing and her songwriting talents, Min Jiwoon is positioned to lead this R&B renaissance within one of Korea's most influential entertainment companies.
"Pink, then grey" is now available on all major streaming platforms, marking the beginning of what could be a transformative era for both Min Jiwoon and SM Entertainment's musical evolution.