Exclusive: SAAY Reflects On ‘DOMINO’ And Her Artistic Evolution

‘DOMINO’ represents all of us. It embodies the anxious feeling of being unaccomplished, coupled with the fear of everything crumbling down due to a single mistake. SAAY, who wrote and co-composed the song, considers it a reflection of “our insecurities and imperfections” and shares that she created this not only for herself but also for her audience.

‘DOMINO’ marks her first release in nearly 7 months since her last single ‘RollerCoaster.’ The music video features WE DEM BOYZ and IBAN, renowned for their performances in the popular Korean dance competition series ‘Street Man Fighter‘ and ‘Street Woman Fighter‘. Before pursuing her singing career, SAAY was immersed in street dancing and had previously choreographed routines for songs like ‘ENCORE’ and ‘Talk To Me Nice’. Her co-choreography for ‘DOMINO’ was thus expected, but the MV reveals another facet of her talent.

While discussing the origins of ‘DOMINO’, SAAY shares, “When I write a song or create art, I don’t like to hold back the feelings I have or express them prettier than they actually are. I am a musician who is faithful to all my emotions, stories, and experiences and expresses them directly. This was also the case with this song. Every single verse, every little story of me and my inner little stories, which were hurt and painful, gathered together to complete the song as a story. Sometimes it is difficult to forcefully take out these traumas and melt them into music, but on the contrary, it is an advantage as an artist that allows me to become a better me by releasing my inner dark emotions into music.”

While the lyrics express her inner emotions and are deeply personal to SAAY, they also resonate with universal feelings experienced by each of us at some point in life. She confesses, “I’m focusing on the essential message that I’ve felt as a human being and the “me” that exists in me. Every part is a direct expression of my inner self, and I’m honestly expressing the emptiness, depression, and other dark emotions I’ve felt as a human being.”

All of my songs are my babies that I wrote and created myself, but the lyrics that best express my feelings among all the parts of this song are “Kill me softly when I go.” This part is the most direct expression of my childhood trauma, which I was tired of the world and had nowhere to go. 

SAAY has never limited herself to a single genre, and even with ‘DOMINO,’ we cannot confine it to one style. From a medium-tempo R&B hip-hop song to incorporating elements of classical and hip-hop, it encompasses a diverse range. This versatility is what sets her apart as an artist. SAAY is also widely recognized for her songwriting abilities and explains her process: “I think it’s most important to express my actual experiences and stories directly into the song, so most of my work process goes in the order of writing the lyrics first, then producing the melody and track. There are processes that are made in different forms and sequences depending on the situation, but this single ‘DOMINO’ was like that.”

In addition to her solo work, SAAY has made significant contributions as a songwriter and producer for various artists. Recently, she collaborated with KIM WOOJIN on his latest comeback and commented, “The experience of writing the lyrics for him was very special. He expressed the lyrics really well. I am proud of him.” SAAY further adds, “Among the songs I wrote myself, Baekhyun’s ‘BAMBI’ is still the most memorable, and ‘ROAR’ by The Boyz and ‘YEPPI YEPPI’ by aespa are the most memorable songs I have produced.“

While SAAY has collaborated with numerous artists, like any other artist, she also has a favorite whom she openly admires: “If I have a chance one day, I would definitely like to collaborate with Janet Jackson. She is my forever role model and one of the best performers on earth.”

Debuting in a girl group before pursuing a solo career, SAAY has also explored various roles in production, choreography, and performance direction. While every song made its mark, she admits that recording her debut song ‘CIRCLE’ was particularly challenging but rewarding, as it marked her official musical identity and is a song that’s well remembered by her fans.

“My debut song ‘CIRCLE’ was the hardest. It was my first official step to show my musical identity the most, so I had to put the most effort into it than any other release, and it was a single but a very complete and powerful song. After that, I was able to do it while enjoying the whole process more. Usually, people don’t remember the singer’s debut song very well, but all my fans and listeners remember ‘CIRCLE’ the most. Maybe it’s because of that.” – SAAY

With so many hats to wear, we were curious about how SAAY would describe herself and she explained, “In the past, it was a little difficult and complicated to balance the various positions I had played. But now, after more than 13 years, nothing much has changed. It is a position that requires the same energy in the creation process of all art and songs. As a result, it is a part that is necessary for my album and art, and it comes together one by one to achieve my musician identity and my artistry.”

Outside her musical endeavors, SAAY leads a typical lifestyle, enjoying activities like swimming, horseback riding, tennis, fitness, yoga, and Pilates. She laughs, saying, “I lead a very ordinary life when I’m not making music.”

“I love exercising. I used to be a swimmer for a long time when I was young, so I still enjoy sports that require high-intensity energy such as swimming, horseback riding, tennis, and fitness. Besides that, I also enjoy mental training through yoga and Pilates. I usually like to exercise, take a walk with my dogs, or watch movies.” – SAAY

As someone who has been in the industry for quite some time, SAAY acknowledges the challenges she has faced and recalls invaluable advice from her parents: “Humans make mistakes. So if you make a mistake, admit it and admit it quickly. If you feel you have fallen, you can get up again. From then on, you can start over. Failure is the mother of success.”  Reflecting on the past, the artist shares that if she could say something to her younger self, it would be, “You’re doing great, don’t give up and keep going!”

As we reached the end of our conversation, SAAY conveyed a heartfelt message to her fans: “I’m planning to have my solo tour and meet global fans in person again. Starting with this single DOMINO, I’m planning to do a lot of musical activities. I haven’t had the chance to meet global fans since I’ve been focusing on promoting in Korea for a while. But starting with this single DOMINO, I’m excited to meet global fans in person again! Until we see each other, always be healthy and happy. Please show a lot of interest and love for this single DOMINO! Thank you! See you soon! I love you!”

True to her promise, the artist has announced her tour in NYC and LA, ramping up the anticipation in fans for more stops.

 

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With ‘DOMINO,’ SAAY may have expressed her insecurities and her growth as an artist, but for her fans, this represents another side of SAAY—the evolution and growth of her artistry. When SAAY writes, we resonate. When SAAY speaks about something, we listen. A domino effect? Yes, a domino effect of change is here for SAAY, and we are here to STAY.

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