(The Black Label)

Singer Jeon So-mi, who embarked on her solo career with the debut single “Birthday” on Thursday, responded to reports of a possible I.O.I reunion and shared her feelings about leaving JYP and joining a YG sublabel during a press conference.

Earlier the same day, there were reports that the girl band might reunite as a nine-piece group without Somi or Yoo Yeon-jung.

In response, the singer said, “It doesn’t seem like things are clear at the moment given that the reports seem to be all quite different. I’m not quite sure, though -- the articles seem to constantly come and go.”

She was also asked about finding a home at a new label. “I’m now working with The Black Label. I’m working in a new environment and it’s quite different in terms of music style,” the singer said.

“The biggest difference might be that I was preparing for a solo debut. I’m just appreciative of the fact that I was able to get directly involved in singing and the making (of music) while keeping a closer relationship,” she added.

On deciding to work with The Black Label, she said it was producer and rapper Teddy’s passion that won her over.

“My first meeting was with Teddy. When I asked him about his plans for me, he seemed so excited -- imagining and explaining his plans to me -- and I was moved by that. The fact that there is someone who cares for me this much moved me and made me feel grateful, and that’s why I decided to make the move,” she said.

Her new record label is a subsidiary of YG Entertainment, which has been hit with a slew of scandals in recent months. The latest is the controversy over former iKON member B.I, who allegedly attempted to purchase the hallucinogen LSD according to records of a KakaoTalk conversation that also suggested past drug use.

But the singer says she was able to cut through the distractions by focusing on her work.

“My solo debut has been a long time coming, so I was able to stay focused and work hard while preparing for today,” the singer said.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)