👤: Do you have your own way of deeply understanding your inner self?
ROSÉ : Actually, for me, it’s more about letting go of thoughts than adding more of them. I’m the kind of person who’s very strict with herself. Whenever I make a decision, ten more thoughts, judgments, and reasons immediately follow behind it. When that happens, instead of chasing those thoughts, I try to gently ask myself, “Why am I thinking this way?” and really listen to the answer.
👤: I can relate to that a lot. There are so many moments when we’re kind to others but harsh toward ourselves.
ROSÉ : Exactly. Sometimes I find myself thinking, “Why am I so understanding when it comes to other people, but so hard on myself?”
I think it’s important to embrace yourself warmly and give yourself recognition too. I try to empathize with my own feelings and preferences by telling myself things like, “Well, I like it, so what’s wrong with that?” or “It’s okay that I feel hurt by this.”
I’m trying to be more understanding and compassionate toward my own emotions and tastes, just as I would be toward someone else’s.
👤 Over the past year or so, a lot has happened your first full-length solo album, a world tour, award ceremonies, and more. Now that the whirlwind has settled a bit and you’ve had a chance to catch your breath, how do you look back on that time?
ROSÉ : There has been so much going on that it’s hard to sum it up in a single sentence or word. I got used to being busy pretty quickly, but my life felt like a rainbow changing colors every week. My life changed a lot after the release of the rosie album as well. After my solo activities, blackpink’s comeback and tour followed, and it all felt like an incredible blessing. It was a time when I could once again confirm what my role and character are within blackpink and see how I positively bloom when I’m with the members, while also amplifying that side of myself. I’ve trained since I was young and spent years working hard as an artist, so I thought I already had a clear understanding of who “ROSÉ of blackpink” was. But after my solo activities, I think I’ve come to understand myself even more clearly. After the tour ended, I’ve been spending time on my own, continuously asking myself, “Who am I right now?” The me who debuted and promoted with the group, the me who worked on a solo album two years ago, and the me now are all different people.
Maybe it’s because I’m still in my twenties? I feel like I’m still in the process of getting to know myself.
👤: It sounds like you’ve spent the first half of the year surrounded by new realizations and self-discovery. How would you like to spend the second half of the year?
ROSÉ : Part of me wants to travel and take a proper break, but there are also so many things I want to do and need to do. I’d like to spend my time finding the right balance between work and rest. I’ve come to appreciate the small happiness and gratitude that can be found in even a day or two of rest. During those brief moments of pause, I often discover little things that I might otherwise overlook.
I think that if I keep finding those small things during moments of rest, this year could become a year in which I learn even more about myself and continue to grow as a person
ROSÉ : For a long time, one of my biggest challenges was learning to trust my own thoughts. I would constantly wonder, “Am I really right about this?” and doubt myself.
But recently, someone told me something that stayed with me: when you’re unsure of yourself, sometimes you just have to believe first and act accordingly. Eventually, you’ll grow into that confidence.
So when I’m working on my album in the studio, I try to approach things that way. Since it’s music that will eventually be shared with the public, I naturally end up overthinking. But instead of focusing on that, I try to concentrate on understanding exactly what I’m feeling and what I’m thinking.
After all, I’m also part of the public. If I can sincerely understand and express something myself, then other people will probably be able to relate to it as well.
These days, I’ve also been making a conscious effort to respect other people’s tastes and enjoy things together with them. Strangely enough, that’s where I’ve been finding a real sense of freedom and liberation.
👤: It seems the fans felt the same way. The performances really highlighted BLACKPINK’s unique and powerful synergy. How have you been spending your time since the tour?
ROSÉ : As I prepare for my new album, I’ve been putting a lot of energy into figuring out what I like and what kind of person I am.
👤: Judging from your Instagram feed, it looked as though you’ve been enjoying a peaceful period of reflection.
ROSÉ: Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I’ve been very busy juggling various schedules while preparing the album. I’m also the type of person who keeps moving forward without looking back much.
Still, I know fans are curious about how I’m doing, so I often go through my photo gallery and post updates on social media. When I’m living so busily, I don’t always realize it in the moment, but looking back through my photos makes me think, “Wow, I really got to enjoy such wonderful moments and experiences.”
I want to be fully aware of and appreciate every moment of my life, but right now, I feel like I’m still busy trying to understand myself. I’m still figuring out how to balance the things I love with the responsibilities I have, and how I want to live my life while taking care of both. It’s something I’m still learning and exploring.