“Please Don’t Call Me Baby”: ZELO Gets Candid About the Story Behind “ELA”
- iamraeiam
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
From complicated emotions to seductive choreography, ZELO takes us behind the making of ELA and the story he wanted to tell through it.
ZELO has never been an artist confined to just one lane. A talented rapper, dancer, songwriter, composer, and performer, he continues to showcase the breadth of his artistry through music and performances that feel distinctly his own. Following “Cola Comigo,” his first release of 2026, ZELO returns with his second release of the year, “ELA”. Bold, sensual, and emotionally charged, the new release highlights another side of his artistry, pairing his distinctive musicality with the emotional complexity that has become central to his latest work.
“ELA” explores the complicated emotions surrounding a relationship that refuses to stay in the past. Its lyrics depict an ex-partner who says they want to be alone, yet reaches out whenever loneliness sets in, creating a cycle of desire, disappointment, and lingering attachment. “ELA” can represent a lingering memory or persistent emotional signal that stays in your head long after the relationship itself has ended. Adding another layer to the comeback, ZELO has also showcased his talent as a dancer through a series of dance challenges, bringing together beloved Gen 2 and Gen 3 idols and actors for unexpected collaborations that fans didn’t know they needed.
To celebrate the release of “ELA,” ZELO joined us for an exclusive conversation about the making of his latest single album and the story behind it. He takes us through the emotion that first inspired the song, the process of writing and composing it, and the challenge of balancing vulnerability with confidence while capturing its seductive, moody tension. ZELO also discusses the creative direction behind the music video, shaping the choreography around his distinctive dance style, the renewed confidence that has defined his year so far, and the artistic identity he feels most connected to today as he looks ahead to whatever comes next.
Hi ZELO! Congratulations on releasing your second single album “ELA.” It’s bold, emotional, and beautifully crafted. How are you feeling as you step into this new chapter and see fans respond so strongly?
ZELO: The first thing that comes to mind is gratitude. Starting a new chapter was a huge shift for me, and seeing fans enjoy and react positively to the music I’ve worked so hard on makes me feel that all those worries were meaningful.
This time, I tried to express my tastes and emotions more honestly than before, so it feels special knowing people are discovering new sides of me through the music. I still have so much I want to show, so while I’m grateful for the response, I’m also motivated to share even more diverse music moving forward.
What was the very first moment or emotion that sparked the idea for “ELA?” What part of that emotional cycle did you most want listeners to feel?
ZELO: Rather than starting with one clear storyline, I think it began with a feeling — a mood that’s hard to explain. That sense of being drawn to someone while not being completely free from the relationship, and the moment you find yourself pulled back in even though you know exactly what that emotion is.
I didn’t want to express those complicated feelings in a heavy way. I wanted to hide them inside a track that feels energetic and attractive. So I hoped listeners would first enjoy the vibe, and then, at some point, find themselves layering their own experiences onto the lyrics and emotions.
The song captures the tension between desire and toxicity. How did you balance vulnerability with confidence in the lyrics?
ZELO: To me, those two emotions aren’t complete opposites. Wanting someone intensely means giving them a part of your emotions. In that sense, acknowledging vulnerability can actually be another form of confidence.
So in “ELA,” instead of pretending to be strong, I wanted to be honest about the desire and lingering feelings — but without portraying myself as someone completely consumed by them. That tension is what makes the song compelling.
You were deeply involved in writing and composing “ELA.” What part of the creative process challenged you the most?
ZELO: The hardest part was deciding how honestly to show my emotions. If I write exactly what I feel, it can become too personal; but if I make it too abstract, the original emotion disappears.
So even though it’s something I always think about when writing lyrics, it was important to include my story while still leaving space for listeners to insert their own experiences. I didn’t want “ELA” to sound like a story about one specific person — I wanted everyone to have their own “ELA.”
The track has a seductive, moody tension. What production elements were essential to capturing that feeling?
ZELO: The most important thing was making sure the song didn’t feel too heavy or dark. “ELA” has a shadowy side, but it’s also energetic and free.
So I kept the rhythm and groove in a way that makes your body move naturally, while balancing that with darker, more mysterious tones in the sound and vocals. I’ve rapped since I was young, but I’ve also worked hard to be recognized as a vocalist (laughs). I invested a lot of time into delivering dynamic expression during recording. I think the key point is that even within the bright energy, there’s an indescribable tension — and I paid a lot of attention to those details.
Is there a lyric in “ELA” that feels especially meaningful or revealing for you?
ZELO: Rather than one specific line, I think the parts expressing how someone or some feeling keeps lingering in your mind — the difficulty of letting go — are the most honest.
Even when people think a relationship is over, emotions don’t disappear right away. You know it’s in the past, yet it suddenly comes back, and you find yourself giving meaning to even the smallest signals. I tried to capture that feeling in “ELA.” Those lyrics are meaningful to me, but I also hope listeners can connect with them through their own experiences.
The music video is sexy and confident. How did you decide on the visual direction, and what message did you want the imagery to add to the song?
ZELO: I wanted to visually expand the atmosphere of “ELA.” Rather than simply showing a sexy image, I wanted to express the desire, confidence, and hidden complexity within the song.
So I chose a more mature and confident visual concept. I wanted to make the world you imagine while listening to the music feel more concrete through the video, while still leaving room for viewers to interpret the scenes in their own way.
Is there a moment in the music video that feels especially meaningful or symbolic to you?
ZELO: Instead of one specific scene, I think the moments where I’m looking at someone or running toward something left the strongest impression. “ELA” could be a real person in front of me, but it could also be a memory or emotion I can’t let go of.
I think that part expresses the core message of the song most clearly.
Your dance style has always been distinctive. How did you shape the movement language of “ELA?”
ZELO: For “ELA,” I felt it was more important to express the groove and atmosphere with my body than to use strong movements. I wanted the details in simple motions, the natural flow between movements, and the emotion or ease in my body to stand out.
And honestly, from the moment I started working on the song, it felt like a very complete track. So I thought adding my own freedom into the performance would balance it well and express more of myself.
What part of the choreography was the hardest to perfect — and what part was the most fun?
ZELO: The hardest part was figuring out how much strength to let go of. Minimalism suits the song, but because it’s a new start, there were moments when I unconsciously wanted to express things more strongly. But leaving a bit of looseness actually fit the song better.
On the other hand, the parts where I could naturally ride the rhythm were really fun. It felt less like memorizing choreography and more like interpreting the music with my body, so I really enjoyed the process.
Fans have loved seeing you show up more often this year. What helped you step forward with this renewed confidence?
ZELO: Realizing again that there are people waiting for my music gave me the biggest strength. I’ve spent a long time working and thinking about myself, and sometimes I wasn’t sure what kind of image I should show. But now, instead of trying to prove everything perfectly, I want to enjoy making the music I love and sharing it with people.
What part of your identity as an artist feels the strongest right now?
ZELO: I think it’s that I’m not afraid of change — along with passion and resilience. I don’t want to confine myself to one image or genre. I’ve shown many different sides so far, and I want to keep trying new music and new forms of expression.
After “ELA,” what themes or sounds are you excited to explore next?
ZELO: First, I want to show fans my colors even more clearly. I want to freely mix genres like R&B, trap soul, afro, and more. Not just musically, though. I want to show more diverse sides of myself in my performances and visuals, too.
For everyone reading this interview and supporting you through this new era, what would you like to say to them as you continue building what’s next?
ZELO: Thank you so much for trusting, waiting, and welcoming every new side I show. One of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to keep going for so long is because people have stayed with me.
No matter what music I make, I want to express myself honestly in that moment. There are still so many sides I haven’t shown yet, and I’m curious about what kind of artist I’ll become too.
So instead of trying to decide the “right answer,” I hope you’ll keep creating new stories with me, one by one. I hope “ELA” becomes a song that stays in your memory with your own meaning, and please look forward to the music I’ll share next. Thank you always.
Listen to his discography on Spotify or Apple Music.
*Special thanks to ZELO and VLACKSQUAD Management for this exclusive interview.Image and Video Image & Video: VLACKSQUAD Management
