RYU SUJEONG's Fallen Angel: The Hidden Story Behind Her XYLØ Collaboration

"I'm a fallen angel, playing with temptation" encapsulates the dark, mesmerizing essence of RYU SUJEONG's latest musical offering. The former Lovelyz member recently unveiled "Fallen Angel," a haunting pre-release track featuring international artist XYLØ, before her full album drops.

Behind the captivating lyrics that describe a relationship "like a battlefield" lies a profound artistic evolution for RYU SUJEONG. Unlike her previous songs, "Fallen Angel" delves into complex emotions, where characters wear a "happy disguise" despite feeling "anxious inside". This dramatic shift in tone reveals a new dimension to her artistry, particularly as she navigates her post-Lovelyz career path with bold sonic choices.

The story behind 'Fallen Angel'

The genesis of "Fallen Angel" stems from an artist's bold initiative. RYU SUJEONG personally reached out to American artist XYLØ via social media, driven by her desire to expand her audience beyond Korean shores.

How the collaboration with XYLØ came to be

RYU SUJEONG had been an admirer of XYLØ's music and felt her style aligned perfectly with the dark pop direction she envisioned for her next project. When approached, XYLØ—herself a K-pop enthusiast—readily embraced the opportunity. Their musical connection was first showcased in November 2023, when RYU SUJEONG made a surprise appearance at XYLØ's South Korean music showcase, performing "BAD GIRLS" together.

Why this track was chosen as a pre-release

Initially, RYU SUJEONG's entire mini-album was scheduled for January 10, 2024. However, plans shifted, and "Fallen Angel" was released that day as a pre-release instead, with the full album launch postponed until January 24. This track stands out with its moody, dark-pop atmosphere featuring electronic elements. The song's contradictory nature—gentle vocals layered over an unsettling instrumental—creates a uniquely captivating experience.

Connection to the upcoming Ryu Sujeong album

"Fallen Angel" serves as a gateway to RYU SUJEONG's second mini-album "2ROX". The EP contains three tracks total, with RYU SUJEONG contributing to both composition and lyrics for two songs. Interestingly, a fourth summer-themed track was originally planned but withheld as it didn't match the winter release season.

Breaking down the lyrics

Diving into the intricate lyrics of "Fallen Angel," we find a narrative that explores the darker side of love through captivating imagery and emotional depth.

Verse 1: The illusion of innocence

The song opens with deceptive simplicity: "You told me I looked like an angel and you've never met a girl like me". This seemingly innocent compliment masks deeper implications as RYU SUJEONG responds with "고작 그게 이유였다니" (wasn't that such an innocent reason). Moreover, the verse establishes a crucial duality—love can bring happiness while simultaneously becoming "toxic or fatal to each other".

Pre-Chorus: Emotional battlefield

Subsequently, the relationship transforms into a "battlefield" where pain flows freely: "I'm hurting you, but I'm not even terrified". The repeated question "Don't you know who I am inside?" creates tension, foreshadowing the revelation of the singer's true nature.

Chorus: The fallen angel metaphor

At its core, "Fallen Angel" portrays "love distorted by jealousy and obsession". The chorus declares "I'm a fallen angel playing with temptation" while "pointing a gun at your heart". Furthermore, the imagery of "drip drip fallin' down" and "falling into the abyss" symbolizes emotional descent.

Verse 2: Possession and jealousy

Afterward, possessiveness emerges through phrases like "You can't leave me" and Korean lyrics describing being "blinded by jealousy" with a "desire to cage" the other person.

Bridge: Hidden anxiety behind the mask

Finally, the bridge reveals vulnerability: "I'm anxious inside, but I wear a happy disguise", exposing the contrast between external appearance and internal turmoil.

Symbolism and visual storytelling

The visual imagery woven throughout "Fallen Angel" creates a rich tapestry of emotional symbolism that amplifies RYU SUJEONG's artistic message.

Use of 'drip, drip' and the color red

The haunting repetition of "Drip, drip, fallin' down" serves as both sonic and visual symbolism throughout the track. This pulsing refrain, coupled with the line "It's turning red," evokes visceral imagery of blood—representing the inevitable suffering within toxic relationships. The color red consequently transforms into a powerful metaphor for emotional wounding, as reinforced by the lyric "You're bleeding more and more".

The abyss as a metaphor for emotional collapse

RYU SUJEONG describes "falling into the abyss"—a potent symbol for emotional freefall. Essentially, this imagery portrays the inescapable descent into emotional chaos that mirrors the internal turmoil felt by both parties. The abyss represents not just emotional depth but also the point of no return in a relationship consumed by destructive patterns.

Battlefield imagery and its emotional weight

Perhaps most striking is the recurring battlefield metaphor: "Where you and I are like a battlefield / Flames always exploding, bullets passing by". This war zone imagery powerfully illustrates how intimate relationships can transform into arenas of conflict where pain is inflicted without remorse. Indeed, the lyrics paint two people caught in a cycle of mutual destruction, where "dangers lurk everywhere".

The evolution of Ryu Sujeong post-Lovelyz

Since establishing her own label House of Dreams in 2021, RYU SUJEONG's artistic journey has taken a dramatic turn from her Lovelyz roots. This transformation reflects her desire for greater creative control and artistic expression outside the confines of a group setting.

How 'Fallen Angel' reflects her solo identity

"Fallen Angel" showcases RYU SUJEONG's embrace of the dark pop genre, which starkly contrasts with her previous group image. Notably, she participated in songwriting and music production for all three tracks on her "2ROX" EP. Although venturing into darker territory, she maintains that listeners can still detect her "underlying soft, cloudy-like nature" beneath the edgier sound. This duality represents her artistic growth—exploring new territory while preserving elements of her established musical identity.

Contrast with earlier Ryu Sujeong songs

During her Lovelyz era, RYU SUJEONG primarily performed within the "innocent" concept that defined the group. As she explained, "At the time, the innocent image fit our members very well. It's not like I never had my own thoughts, but I was very focused on the group". Her first solo project "Tiger Eyes" in 2020 marked her initial departure from Lovelyz's signature sound. Gradually, each subsequent release has moved further from her origins, culminating in the "deadly, yet dark" aesthetic of "2ROX".

What this means for her future music direction

RYU SUJEONG openly expressed her hope that "Fallen Angel" would help attract more international listeners, enabling her to "perform more outside Korea". Formerly catering primarily to male fans during her Lovelyz days, she has noted a significant shift in her audience demographics since going solo. This evolution suggests RYU SUJEONG is carving a distinctive artistic path aimed at both expanding her global reach and establishing herself as an independent creative force in the industry.