Lorde, the most personal is the most proud and the most universal.

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Korean fans who have met alternative singer-songwriter Lorde (Ella Marija Lani O'Connor·29) in person in Korea will remember her through tears.

At her first concert in Korea during the 2017 Jisan Valley Rock Music & Arts Festival, she tearfully confessed about breakups and loneliness just before singing 'Liarbility' from her second studio album 'Melodrama' (2017). The sincerity of a musician transitioning from her teenage years to her twenties could be felt throughout her performance.

At the age of 17 in 2013, Lorde rose to fame with her debut studio album 'Pure Heroine'. That same year, her single 'Royals' topped the Billboard singles chart for 9 consecutive weeks. The following year, she received Grammy Awards for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Pop Solo Performance', setting the stage for her to become the next queen of the Grammys.

But if you take the easy way out or repeat it, it's not a road. Having shown musical wit in "Pure Heroine," she displayed a direct yet delicate party girl persona in "Melodrama," released as she entered her 20s. In her regular third album "Solar Power" (2021), she captured the process of isolating herself from the world and finding ways to overcome various pains in nature and heal through it.

The regular 4th album 'Virgin' released on the 27th, 4 years later, has a different atmosphere. It can be said to be a mature version of a 'melodrama' dealing with the pain and confusion that could happen to teenagers in their late teens, with an underlying sense of insecurity typical for someone in their late 20s approaching their 30s.

'Solar Power' located in between was an attempt to merge the Top Star Road and the Everyday Road. To alleviate the difficulties with this, the road now focuses more on the 'pure self'.

In 'Solar Power,' he sharply criticizes material civilization, but in 'Hammer,' the last public single before the release of 'Virgin,' he reveals that it's okay not to have answers about life.

In 'Pure Heroine' and 'Melodrama,' Lorde appeared more mature than her peers. After going through the musical turning point that is 'Solar Power,' she truly matured, rather than just seeming so. In the first two singles from the previously released 'Virgin,' 'What Was That' and 'Man of the Year,' she unfolds her reflections on fame and gender.

This album is centered around rave-style electronic sounds and music dominated by synthesizers, with a high proportion of ballads and rich choral arrangements. Each track has a special rhythmic feel. The song about eating disorders, 'Broken Glass,' is catchy enough to be suitable for chanting along. In an album that encompasses popular musical elements, the courage to openly share new stories about their identity and values without reservation forms a universal empathy rather than grandiose self-awareness. It is at this point that I see the future of pop stars like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, who became famous as teenagers after Road.

These are parts that resonate with a large audience. This was the reason for the big chaos and crowd influx at the guerrilla performance in New York last April. In a recent video interview with Southeast Asian and domestic media, Road said, "Through this album, I was able to reconnect with people again and test myself in new and interesting ways. It was such an amazing experience by itself." He remained serious in every answer but still innocent, dreaming of a completely new journey while affirming his past journey positively. Below is the Q&A between Road and journalists from various countries.

-What was it like to have a surprise performance in New York, dance time with fans in London, and interact with fans through a pop-up in the bathroom in Auckland?

It was really special and amazing. So many things happened while making this album that went beyond my imagination, and I missed that direct connection and intimacy after releasing 'Solar Power' during the pandemic period.

-You recently announced the 'Ultrasound World Tour' plan circulating in the US and Europe. How do you feel about being able to meet your fans again through this tour? If there are any preparations or routines you do before the tour, could you share them with us?

I'm really moved. I was impressed by the fans' reactions, and if it's about routines, there are a few. Before performances, I always write memos to organize my mindset and intentions for that day, and I light candles. And I always have the habit of spraying a tour-exclusive perfume. I try to keep my body as relaxed as possible and be grateful for this precious experience. Such opportunities are really rare and should never be taken for granted.

-'Making 'virgin', have you discovered anything new about yourself?"

I feel like I've discovered my true inner strength through this album. Before, it was hard for me to feel strong and even harder to have confidence in myself. This time, I worked with the goal of creating an album that could encompass everything within me, my ambitions, and the journey so far. I often thought about all the events that led me to where I am now and about our ancestors. The desire to make them proud and not disappoint them was great. This isn't an album made lightly.

If I could go back in time and talk to my 17-year-old self, what would I say?

I want to tell someone to believe in the saying 'Everything happens for a reason.' And that they should live truly faithful to themselves, even if it feels hard, scary, or wrong, because they are doing well. Everything is part of the journey called life, especially during those times when everything feels so chaotic. During those moments, you should pause and tell yourself, 'Everything is happening for a reason. You're doing well.' And you might also say to yourself, 'You are cute.' Back then, I didn't realize it, but looking back now, I was really just a baby.

'Man of the Year' was inspired by the 2023 'GQ Man of the Year' party, I heard. Are other songs on the [' Virgin] album similarly inspired by actual experiences?

Of course. When I write songs, I combine various moments, or I try to capture an entire hour, one minute, or a whole day. 'Virgin' has both approaches mixed in. For example, songs like 'Clear Blue,' 'Hammer,' and 'Man of the Year' were really attempts to take a snapshot of specific moments, so when you listen to them, you might think, 'Ah, this is about this time.' On the other hand, songs like 'What Was That,' 'Favorite Daughter,' and 'If She Could See Me Now' are composed of a combination of different memories.

-Usually, music changes according to the artist's age. As someone who has grown up listening to Road's music, how does this new song 'Virgin' show growth compared to the debut album 'Pure Heroine'? What similarities or differences can be observed?

When I was in my teens, I was a brave but shy person who always wanted to hide. My work overall seemed to be about 'moving forward.' Now, I have much more confidence in my singing voice, and I am also more confident about sound production. The lyrics are less metaphorical and ambiguous than before, and I tried to express things more directly. Now, I seem to reveal more of myself. While I'm less shy now, it's still difficult for me to appear in front of an audience. I still feel the urge to hide myself, but I'm becoming braver little by little.

-You collaborated with the environmental group 'REVERB' to conduct an eco-friendly tour, and after your expedition to Antarctica, you released 'Solar Power.' What environmental issues do you currently consider important? Also, why do you think it's necessary for artists to be sensitive to environmental problems?

Hmm... Honestly speaking, it's hard to avoid having these thoughts when you're in Los Angeles (LA) these days. This year's wildfires were truly horrific and they occurred at times that weren't even seasonal. These events keep coming to mind. New Zealand has also experienced very intense climate anomalies recently. Working on the 'Solar Power' album made me feel a much deeper connection with nature. And it seems to be directly connected to the emotional aspects of my life as well. Of course, when you try to live more consciously about the environment, there are times when your efforts can feel so small and powerless. But I think what's important is how those actions affect me personally. If people can feel that they are maintaining a healthy relationship with the environment in their own way, I think that would be significant. Why should musicians care about these issues? Even when we feel helpless in the face of painful problems we all share, just being able to connect with each other and share emotions through music can provide great comfort. It might sound cliché, but I genuinely believe that music has that healing power. That's why I continue to make music and don't stop thinking about the environment.

How can we describe the journey from 'Solar Power' to 'Virgin' in terms of healing? Is each one a separate journey, or do they show different versions of the road?

Wow, that's a really great question. The two albums seem to reflect different aspects of myself. 'Solar Power' is an album that embraces the private parts of me that I couldn't show through music. I wanted to capture the me in my garden, the me sitting at the dinner table. After years of paying attention to how I present myself in public, it felt like I needed to pay more attention to my private self, though I'm not entirely sure why. On the other hand, 'Virgin' can be seen as an attempt to heal the me from ages five to my teens and twenties. It's about the me who was overwhelmed yet happy during the rapid changes in life, the me who struggled with body image and eating disorders in 2023, and the me who felt hope and energy looking towards the future in 2024-2025. This album felt like a journey to me. I sometimes call this a quest, as if I were on a mission. I wanted to truly believe in myself and create an environment that feels like a long-term home. I love this album so much; I consider it one of the most personal and proudest works of my life. So, I think it reflects all sides of me, and it was truly a beautiful journey.

-These days, many artists say they've been inspired by Lorde. Is Lorde aware of the cultural impact their past albums have had, and does that influence their current music?

Wow... Feedback like that is always truly touching. I'm really grateful, and it's unbelievable. Especially when artists say such things to me, I want to tell them that they inspire me as well. I think art is ultimately an experience of mutual connection. It's also a process of having a kind of dialogue with each other's work. Other artists' work has inspired me, and because of that, there were moments when I found my own voice. The best moments. When I hear feedback like what you mentioned just now, it's really touching, and inside I think, 'Can it be that they're talking about me?'

-This 'Virgin' album features several producers, one of whom is Devonte Hynes (Blood Orange). I'm curious about your experience working with him.

Dev is really a close friend. He's an amazing musician and also an incredible source of inspiration for me. During the 'Virgin' project, I even called him my 'muse.' He can play several instruments freely, and in the studio, he naturally tries out various instruments. The things he plays casually are all excellent. You can feel his sense throughout the album, especially in 'Man of the Year,' where he personally played cello. He brought a cello bow to the studio and played it; it was truly beautiful. It's rare to have such an opportunity to work with a large instrument like a cello in the studio. This was actually the first instrument Dev learned, and seeing my friend play an instrument they first learned was a truly special experience.

When I listen to the music of -Road, the immersion is incredible thanks to the voice and musical style. Besides this style, are there any consistent musical themes or characteristics that have been maintained so far? I'm also curious about what new attempts were made in this album. Lastly, could you tell me what feelings you hope fans will experience after listening to 'Virgin'?

Wow, that's a really good question. I hope that through this album, people can feel more than just see how life is. Focus on the inner senses, the feeling of freedom and being alive within oneself, rather than just the outward appearance. For my music, I always think it has a characteristic of providing intense imagery, memories, and insights. It's all about using the musical language I'm familiar with. Also, I'm quite obsessed with rhythm. In 'Royals,' you could only hear the drum sounds and my voice. My favorite instrument is the drums, and every time an album comes out, it seems like the parts related to rhythm are continuously refined. This 'Virgin' album is also an album where that rhythmic sense has developed even more sophisticatedly. While there are many new attempts, it's also an album built on the musical foundation accumulated over a long time. And there's always harmony in the vocals, but for this album, I only put in the minimum touch of harmony when necessary, just the bare minimum needed. I wanted it to feel simpler and cleaner overall, so I only added it when absolutely necessary.

-Do you have any artists you want to collaborate with? And what is the reason?

I actually think I'm already collaborating with the artists I've always dreamed of. Directors, designers, producers, musicians—everyone. The best outcome from a collaboration is when there's a sense of authenticity in the result, and often, the person you end up working with is someone unexpected. For example, I never expected to collaborate with Charli XCX, but the remix I did for her is one of my favorite songs to this day. So these days, I don't even try to guess who it might be. Meeting good people and building a rapport is enough to move forward.

-What was the biggest artistic challenge or attempt you have undertaken so far, and what were its results?

It was probably the 'What Is That' music video. I've always been meticulous in planning my work, but that video was completely spontaneous and had to follow whatever happened on the spot. I wanted to create something that felt alive, even if it wasn't perfect, but it came with its risks and was difficult to pull off. Originally, I planned an event at Washington Square Park in New York, but so many people showed up that the police blocked it. Not being able to hold the event was tough, but we also had to shoot the final part of the music video the day before its release, which made things very tense. I wondered if we would even be able to release the music video the next day. But even in that moment, I stayed calm and talked with Terry, the friend who co-planned the music video, who told me, 'It will work out, this is real.' In the end, everything turned out well and we got a truly beautiful result. Honestly, it was stressful enough to make my hair turn white, but I think it was a successful challenge.

-Each album has had a clear message. What is the most important message you wanted to convey with 'Virgin'?

It's precisely 'liberation.' No matter what happens, being free to be oneself, I believe that's important for all of us. I get inspired seeing women freely and proudly expressing themselves as they are. That's why I hope our fans can feel that sense of liberation too.

-Lastly, do you have any words for the fans in Southeast Asia and Korea?

Thank you so much for your constant support and love. I always feel the encouragement you give me, and every visit feels like I am always welcome. I want to come back again to create more memories. I sincerely thank you for being here with me.