B.I. Confesses That Quantity Over Quality In Songwriting Was More Important During His K-Pop Idol Days

B.I is a rising soloist in the Korean entertainment industry. The former iKON member has long received compliments for his meaningful lyrics and addictive melodies.

B.I (Kim Han Bin) *| @shxxbi131/Instagram*

In a new interview with HERO, B.I delved deeper into his history with music including how he was just a teenager when he first started to become interested in it.

I think I was about thirteen years old. My parents influenced me, they loved hip hop, and so when I graduated elementary school, I put my dream job as a rapper.

— B.I

B.I was a major influence in iKON’s sound. Songs like “Love Scenario,” “Rhythm Ta,” “My Type,” “Bling Bling,” “Beautiful,” and many more were under his name.

At present, he noticed that there is a clear difference between producing music as a K-Pop idol and as a soloist. He said that “a lot has changed” in the creative process. Though fans would disagree that his output was anything less than outstanding, as an idol, the number of songs that he produced was more important than their quality.

A lot has changed. In the past, quantity mattered the most. I’ve written like three songs in a day and obviously the song quality wasn’t that good, but that was a form of practice for me.

— B.I

Now that he can release songs on his own schedule, he can take his time in the production stage. This made him see the difference between a good and bad song more clearly.

Now I know what is bad and what is good, I can distinguish that.

— B.I

He says that this skill is “instinctive” to him. He also appreciates having more room to experiment creatively.

Instinctively, I just know it. Today, a lot of attention goes into one single song. Plus, I try to express more genuine emotions and stories through many different styles.

— B.I

While he would usually work on tracks alone while in YG Entertainment, he now makes it a point to go out and experience new things so that he can put out more diverse music.

There are many instances where I’m having a hard time and, back in the day, I used to spend a lot of time alone. Instead, now I try to meet more people and explore the world and experience new things, and [through that] I try to solve the problem [of lacking inspiration]. Sometimes I’ll do nothing or talk to my friends or watch a movie, but I try to get out of the thinking [zone]. Recently I did a Free Hugs thing. I liked it. It was a very attractive and interesting experience and it made me feel warm-hearted

— B.I