NIEL Talks Solo Music, Starting His Own Label, and TEEN TOP
interview
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interview ✦
Ahn Daniel, better known as NIEL, has been a resonant voice in K-pop for over a decade, first rising to fame as the soulful main vocalist of TEEN TOP—a second-generation K-pop powerhouse known for popular songs like "No More Perfume on You" and "Miss Right". And during that time, NIEL’s distinctive breathy-pop tone and emotive delivery became key factors to their success, making them a standout lineup in a competitive era dominated by synchronized beats and bold concepts.
EL&D Entertainment
As TEEN TOP’s momentum grew, NIEL also began carving his own lane as a solo artist, debuting with oNIELy in 2015. The album’s lead track, "Lovekiller," generated chart placement and showcased his independent ability to blend R&B flair with pop accessibility, earning him a Golden Disc Award for Best Male Solo Artist. Follow-up releases like Love Affair (2017) and Parting Emotion (2024) further honed his craft, revealing an artist unafraid to explore vulnerability and depth. These projects, while still tied to TOP Media, hinted at his restless creativity—a trait that’s now fully unleashed with his latest chapter.
In 2025, NIEL took a seismic step by founding EL&D Entertainment, his own agency, signaling a bold shift from idol to entrepreneur. This move, born from a desire for artistic control and broader horizons, frames his fourth mini-album, SHE—which follows a year-long hiatus since Parting Emotion, a period NIEL spent laying the groundwork for his company and expanding into musical theatre. However, with SHE, he’s also choosing to redefine himself in the K-pop landscape, proving that his voice, once part of a group’s harmony, can still command a solo spotlight.
EL&D Entertainment
It’s been over a year since your last solo release, Parting Emotion. How does it feel to return with SHE, especially as your first project under your own label, EL&D Entertainment?
NIEL: Since I personally prepared everything from start to finish, I feel a deep attachment to this album. It’s my first time trying out this kind of concept and genre, and because it reflects a lot of my own ideas, I’m filled with both excitement and worry. I really hope everyone will enjoy it!
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind SHE? What story or message are you hoping to convey through this album?
NIEL: I first established the concept and then worked on the songs around it. I spent a lot of time deliberating between the music and concepts I personally wanted to pursue and the ones I thought fans would love. SHE is the result of that process. Through this album, I hope to show that “NIEL suits these kinds of concepts and genres too” and to remind people that “NIEL is actively making music.”
Starting EL&D Entertainment was a bold, but very necessary move! What motivated you to launch your own agency, and how has it shaped your creative process for this comeback?
NIEL: The biggest reason I decided to establish my own company was because I wanted to express the genres and concepts I truly wanted to explore. I think SHE is the perfect example of the kind of creative freedom that decision allowed me.
You’ve mentioned that this album also showcases your growth. How would you describe your evolution as an artist since your TEEN TOP days or even your last solo release?
NIEL: As I matured, my voice naturally changed as well. Through experiences in musicals and everyday life, I feel that I’ve deepened my understanding of emotions and improved my ability to express them.
EL&D Entertainment
You’re balancing this comeback with a role in the musical 6 O’Clock Off Work. How do you juggle music and theatre, and do they influence each other in your performances?
NIEL: When I think about my music activities and musical performances, I definitely feel they influence each other. In musicals, you have to infuse a lot of emotion into your singing, and I think that’s helped me express emotions more naturally and easily in my songs and performances during my music activities.
How would you describe the visuals of SHE, and how does it match the themes you wanted to explore?
NIEL: I tried to express a variety of emotions that arise from a breakup—sadness, pain, longing, regret, and more. While my main goal with this album was to reintroduce myself and my activities to the public, the emotions I portrayed are not limited to romantic relationships. I hope listeners can also relate these feelings to partings with family, friends, or even pets.
Looking ahead, you’ve hinted at activities in Korea and overseas. What’s one dream project or destination you’d love to bring your music to with EL&D Entertainment?
NIEL: I would love to do a solo tour overseas. While I would love to visit every country, if I had to choose just one, I think I’d pick the United States. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the States, and I would love to perform there again.
Finally, TEEN TOP has a special place in K-pop history. How do you balance honoring that legacy while carving out your own path as a solo artist?
NIEL: I want to be seen as an artist who can tackle a variety of genres rather than being tied to a single style or concept. For TEEN TOP activities, I plan to focus on matching the group’s unique color as NIEL of TEEN TOP. As a solo artist, I want to show that I can take on many different genres and continue growing as a versatile artist.
