In October, NewJeans starred in its first edition Billboard Artista new series of collectible production art books Billboard Korea. The inaugural issue tells the girl group's story through a visual lens, showcasing the members' style and fashion, while also incorporating interview footage. NewJeans was honored as Team of the Year at Bulletin boardExhibition of the Women in Music Awards 2024.
Billboard Korea It kicked off in August with a star-studded event in Seoul – the K-Power 100 – bringing together the leaders of all of South Korea's major music labels and featuring performances from some of the region's most exciting talent. Billboard Artistan initiative led by Billboard Korea Creative Director Woo Lee, is available for purchase on Weverse and through various other retailers.
Below, Lee explains all about the new print series.
What is it Billboard Artist?
Billboard Artist is a large-format, unbound visual art book designed for people to enjoy every page like a poster. This unique book presents the inspiration and influence of musicians through photography, art, essays and illustrations. Unlike traditional magazines, which have a limited lifespan, Billboard Artist is a timeless collectible, with content in English and Korean. Also available in selected bookstores worldwide.
Why did you start? Billboard Artist?
In an era before smartphones, magazine titles like Hero, Museand Icon depicted stars as distant, untouched figures. The world once longed for stars who exuded perfection and mystery — think David Bowie or Prince. But now, stars openly share details of their daily lives – who they travel with, what books they read, what ideologies they hold – making them more relatable to audiences. Musicians express their creativity in many areas beyond music, such as fashion, visual arts, documentaries and acting. Their multifaceted creativity serves as a major source of inspiration for all of us. We wanted to capture this in a tangible art book that showcases their diverse artistry and impact.
Describe how you work with artists to create these books.
We pick an act and use their sound, history, personality and aesthetic as a source of inspiration, while also drawing from social issues, history, politics, humanities, science or mythology that are relevant to the artists. This can lead to a fashion collaboration, an essay or poetry collaboration with a writer, a visual arts collaboration with a digital artist, a beauty portrait with beauty and fragrance, or a short film produced with a videographer. All of this is developed freely and flexibly in conversations with the selected artists — their participation and creativity is key to the process.
Will Billboard Artist features exclusively K-pop musicians because he is a producer Billboard Korea?
No. Billboard Artist it does not limit its scope by nationality, language or territory. Bulletin boardIts 130-year legacy of credibility and influence has always transcended borders. But there is a reason why this project was started Billboard Korea. The Korean music industry prizes powerful storytelling, visual impact and fan engagement, and has a symbiotic relationship with the fashion and beauty sectors. This uniquely Korean perspective informs our vision.
Why was NewJeans chosen for the first edition?
The first question for us is always: “Who is the most talked about musician right now?” We wanted to present an artist who resonates with the present while evoking the past and inspiring thoughts about the future. NewJeans was the perfect choice because their music, fashion and aesthetic combine '80s nostalgia with a modern, forward-thinking appeal. This 56-page art book captures the allure of the group, combining elements of 1980s Italian youth culture, traditional Korean hanok houses, and bird symbolism in contemporary art into a poetic visual narrative.
How often will new versions of it Billboard Artist released?
Unlike a magazine, Billboard Artist does not follow a fixed release schedule. When an artist is selected, there may be two releases in a month or only one every two months. For this year, a single edition will be released as a year-end treat, with more editions planned for 2025.
Where can people currently buy the NewJeans edition?
Online pre-orders have closed and we are now on the second edition. From mid-November it will also be available in selected bookstores. Updates will be posted on Billboard Koreahis Instagram.
A version of this story appears in the October 26, 2024 issue Bulletin board.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/photos/newjeans-photos-billboard-artist-1235816682/
