[Exclusive Interview] El CAPITXN: A new chapter begins

Photo Courtesy of EL CAPITXN

A king isn’t complete without his queens, and that sentiment rings true for El CAPITXN. The singer-songwriter and producer has gone on a journey that is nothing short of inspirational. Many know of his work producing for big K-pop acts such as BTS, TXT, and AHOF, among others. But just who is EL CAPITXN beyond the credits? 

His career has soared, but the reality is far from simple… or what one would assume. Originally debuting as an idol with the boy group History, Yi-Jeong, who is the formidable force behind EL CAPITXN, has had quite the profound journey to self-discovery. This has had him rediscover not just who he is as an artist but also as a person. He’s questioned his artistry and flaws, and ultimately embracing those qualities is what has made him so loved.

With his recent tour ‘WHO KILLED El?’ he navigates his inner world, exploring identity and his transformation – all while playing new tracks. Speaking of new songs, his latest single “Breaking Through” marks that new chapter, one rooted in doing what he does best – looking inward. A person of incredible strength and resilience as he attest that he’s “I’m the kind of person who would rather break myself.Standing still was never an option.” There’s a rawness and openness to EL CAPITXN; that is perhaps why many have sought a warmth towards him. The admiration with a splash of inspiration seeing someone of his calibre show all sides to him. While on his busy schedule and current European tour, I spoke to EL about his journey, new single, and, of course, his queens. 

It feels like you’ve been quietly building towards this tour for some time, creating songs that have shaped your own identity away from being known as a producer. What made you decide it was time to step forward and bring your own vision to the stage with this tour?

EL CAPITXN: Losing my voice used to feel like a flaw to me. I honestly lived hoping it would stay hidden forever, because it was easier that way. But over time, I started learning how to accept and love myself. And at some point, a question came to me. Is it really right to keep hiding a story that has shaped me this much? It almost feels like a fairytale, yet I was the one burying it. At a certain point, that just didn’t make sense anymore. So I decided to bring it out. I don’t see it as a weakness anymore. It’s the story that made me who I am today.

For a lot of people, your story from singing at a young age to your idol days to now is a real story of resilience. Where do you think that strength comes from? And having had such an unpredictable path to all the roles you take on today, how has that shaped the way you see life today?

EL CAPITXN: During the ten years after I lost my voice, a lot happened. But honestly, I don’t remember much of it now. It almost feels like I erased it on purpose. Back then, all I could do was try not to fall apart. It was survival — nothing more. I went through things I don’t want to talk about or even revisit. But looking back now, all of that built who I am today. Maybe that’s why I don’t get hurt easily anymore. And one thing definitely stayed with me – a sense of resistance.

Against standards set by people who don’t even have the right, against the mindset of comparing someone else’s behind-the-scenes to your own highlight. I don’t believe in those frames. And when something I love is threatened, I don’t stay still.

You’ve been on quite a journey as an artist, and it feels like you’re closing that chapter. With the “Who Killed El?” tour, people are getting to see all the sides of you as an artist. What has been the most exciting part of the tour so far? Has there been a moment where it really hit you? Like, this is it? This is what I’ve been working toward?

EL CAPITXN: I didn’t expect fans to know my story in detail. But they knew more than I thought. My voice, what I went through, even those years. And they didn’t look at it with pity. They looked at me like, “You made it through.” That meant a lot to me. It was something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

To be honest, it felt like being held — like something warm and safe. That’s why I no longer call my fans El Dorphin. I call them my Queens. I couldn’t call the people who give me a reason to live anything less. They are the ones who brought me out of the dark.

Photo Courtesy of EL CAPITXN

There are a few more shows to come, taking you to Europe. What are you most excited to showcase to fans who have yet to see you live?

EL CAPITXN: I constantly think about how I can improve. But I actually see that as a good thing. Because the moment I become fully satisfied with my stage, I think that’s the end. Right now, I still have room to grow – so I can keep changing. And because there are fans who continue to watch and wait for me, I feel a responsibility to grow properly.

The narrative for the tour is almost autobiographical, and although it’s a story of perseverance, it’s tinged with hope. Do you feel that you’ve fully found your own artistic voice through others, and now it’s the right time to go full throttle with El Capitxn?

EL CAPITXN: I don’t think I’ve fully found it yet. But I do know the direction now. And I still carry hope that maybe one day I’ll be able to sing again. My voice can’t be replaced by anything else. So I don’t feel like I’ve found it yet, and I’m not satisfied either.

From singer and songwriter to DJ, you have a wide range of skills that you’ve been showcasing on your tour. How do you like to curate your DJ sets? Is it to tell a story or let the crowd just be in the moment away from the world?

EL CAPITXN: What matters most to me is authenticity. But to deliver that, you need technique. It takes a lot of detail and time. I don’t define myself as a singer-songwriter or a DJ. I’m just EL CAPITXN. So I don’t try to convince people on stage. The only thing that matters is whether I’m truly immersed in the moment.

We can’t talk about your DJ moments without one in particular that took off among fans, and that was your “Shibal” remix during the D-day tour. Leading to fans making edits and even hoping for a release on streaming platforms. Did you have any idea that it was going to take off in the way it did, and what has been the reaction to it on tour? 

EL CAPITXN: It was a project that aligned with my personal values, so I found it very fulfilling. I didn’t expect such a big response, but in the end, many people resonated with it, which makes it all the more meaningful to me. And I’m always grateful to SUGA for allowing me to do the work and making that work possible.

Would you say being on that particular tour helped you not only in confidence but also in reaching the decision to finally take to the stage yourself and put on a tour?

EL CAPITXN: It wasn’t because I felt confident. It was more about feeling like, if I’m going to do it, it has to be now. I don’t think confidence is something you gain by waiting. I think it comes from moving forward. So rather than a decision, it felt like a flow. And I chose to follow that flow.

The time has come for you to be in the spotlight musically, as you’ve released your brand-new single “Breaking Through”. Even the teasers, especially the captions, have a poetic edge. What usually inspires you when writing lyrics? Did you have a specific routine or even headspace you tap into during the process?

EL CAPITXN: I really dislike writing lyrics forcefully. That’s why I’m not a fan of working under deadlines. For the past ten years, I’ve been building up my own story. So I have a lot to say. It just comes out naturally. I write it as it is. And that’s both interesting and a little sad at the same time.

Do you feel like this new single now cements a new chapter for you? Not just as an artist, but personally too? And what made you decide to have “Breaking Through” as the first single to kickstart this new era?

EL CAPITXN: Lately, my life has been about “Breaking Through” in every sense. I’ve had to fight to protect what I believe in and also to protect my fans. But that doesn’t feel like damage to me. If it’s about protecting something important, I’m the kind of person who would rather break myself. Standing still was never an option.

On this track, you collaborated with Taehyun of TXT. What drew you to work together? And what was the creative process like when you worked alongside each other?

EL CAPITXN: Taehyun is someone I’ve been working with since before his debut. He has a very clear standard when it comes to the music he wants to make. So I never had any doubts. Artists with conviction don’t force things or work in a dishonest way. This project moved forward without unnecessary steps, and I think he’s a great artist to collaborate with.

You’ve always been very honest and open not just in your art but on social media. That’s something fans can connect with a lot, as it feels genuinely relatable and refreshing to hear. Do you feel like being that raw and unfiltered helps you as an artist?

EL CAPITXN: I’m not someone who lives in a very calculated way. So I chose to just show things as they are. I think that’s more honest and something that can last longer.

The music you create, be it produced or now your own, has this sort of beauty in the darkness between doubt and hope. What draws you to explore those emotions? And do you feel like that has become a natural starting point when you create music?

EL CAPITXN: My life itself follows that structure. Things were good, then they collapsed, and now I’m building myself back up again. So that naturally comes through in my music.

From the studio to the stage, what have you found being on stage gives you that the studio cannot?

EL CAPITXN: When I step on stage, I feel alive. Before that, it almost feels like I wasn’t really alive at all. So the stage is where I confirm my existence.

What has been the most rewarding part of this whole new journey for you, be it the tour or any standout moments?

EL CAPITXN: It’s when I feel that fans are deeply connected to my story. Especially in the final part of the show, that connection becomes very strong. And in that moment, I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time — love.

Your fandom, El Dorphin, has been at the heart of your current journey, cheering for you constantly. From edits to unwavering support. How important is the relationship between artists and their fans, and what does your fandom mean to you?

EL CAPITXN: I changed the name of my fandom to “Queen”. It felt right. They are people I would give everything for without hesitation, so anything less didn’t feel enough. Without my fans, there is no me. That’s just the truth. I hope we can be that kind of presence for each other — something that brings comfort just by existing.

Catch EL CAPITXN on his upcoming tour dates with an added date in Milan! Tickets are below. His latest single “Breaking Through” feat TAEHYUN & Jeremy Zucker is available on all streaming platforms.

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