Stay up to date with our latest artist interviews, press coverages, news, and more.
Interview: chorim on Embracing New Beginnings and Emotional Maze in “Play the ground” and “mini game”
chorim’s sound is a fearless exploration of the self—raw, reflective, and deeply personal. In “Play the ground,” she steps into the spotlight, confronting her stage fright with raw courage as she embraces the new beginning that lies ahead. But in “mini game,” she flips the script, exploring the intricate web of identity and empathy in relationships, where no one quite fits the mold. Together, these songs offer a window into chorim’s evolving artistry—a mix of introspection, self-discovery, and the courage to face the complexities of modern life.
Interview: Indie Artist NAMOOBOY Gets Candid About His Music, Plans for 2025, and More
Today, let’s check out an interview with NAMOOBOY, an indie artist from South Korea. This 26-year-old artist started music as a means of expression, borrowing from his personal experiences and emotions. As years went by, NAMOOBOY developed a sense of what music works best for him and his listeners. He recently spoke to HALSUG about his journey so far and his future plans as a musician.
Interview: ‘Ordinary People’—Jade on the Messiness and Beauty of Love and Being Human
"You’re my love, You’re my song"—Jade's words feel like a secret shared just between you and her. They echo the depth of her heart, where love is never straightforward, and every emotion has its own story.
In this exclusive interview, Jade opens up about the complexities of love, loss, and the powerful emotions that drive her music. With every lyric, she invites us into her most vulnerable moments—where the lines between joy and pain blur, though never easy, is always worth the feeling. Ready to dive deeper into her world? Let’s uncover the stories behind the songs that speak to the heart, leaving us wondering: What happens when love is both a joy and a struggle?
Interview: 12BH on “Glow” – In the Moment, Riding the Wave
When 12BH debuted in February 2023 with their single “Green,” they quickly carved out a unique space in the music scene. This four-member band—Jung Sun (vocals, composer, keyboard), Gigajung (vocals, guitar), Greeny (bass, vocals), and Jeon Gyeol (drums)—has a vision: to create music that feels like a breath of fresh air, like being on a yacht, sailing away from life’s chaos.
Interview: The Recipe Behind Sweet Love, Stories from Rain Wan
British-Chinese up-and-coming singer-songwriter Rain Wan has released her latest feel-good anthem single “sweet love”. The track explores different themes of young love and the many feelings of a new connection all mixed in with infatuation. We had the pleasure of catching up with the talented Rain to discuss all things music. When asked about the story and concept behind “sweet love”, Rain shared how the creative process began. She explained “I knew I wanted to start off with the word “sweet”, and the word “love” just seemed to fit!
Interview: ‘Not Neverland’ - igloobay’s Musical Wonderland, Because Neverland Does Not Exist
IGLOOBAY, the South Korean band embracing the four seasons, unveils their new EP Not Neverland. The title—a bold rejection of the mythical land—sets the tone for a deeply introspective journey. "Because Neverland does not exist," they declare, inviting listeners to face the bittersweet reality of growing up and letting go.
Interview: “flow with me”—Yusuii’s Call to Drift Through Time, Love, and Music
"I’ll give you my time, so flow with me” —this lyrical invitation sets the stage for an intimate conversation with South Korean singer-songwriter Yusuii, whose music effortlessly blends emotions and rhythm.
Interview: Grabber on ‘Sunday Morning’: An Inside Look in His World of Love, Rhythm, and Reflection
“When I see you, I feel like Sunday morning”—Grabber’s latest track pulses with love, enveloping you in a serene yet captivating embrace. Released on October 13, this South Korean indie artist blends pop and soul into a smooth, soul-soothing anthem. From early morning cuddles to promises of everlasting love, “Sunday Morning” is the perfect soundtrack for a Sunday filled with love, comfort, and those unforgettable moments that feel like pure magic.
Interview: A Glimpse Into Rhea Raj’s ‘HUNTER’ Era
Twenty twenty-four has been quite a remarkable year for Indian-American rising pop sensation Rhea Raj. With the release of her debut album HUNTER in May and its expanded version, HUNTER (Tamed Edition), in September, the singer-songwriter, dancer, and producer is certainly at the top of her game with a penchant for curating music that seamlessly blends modern dance pop and her cultural roots.
Interview: Gina Alice Pursues Pop Dreams with Republic Records While Staying True to Her Classical Piano Roots
“To have those, music-wise, big contrasts inside of me, and to have at least two different music hearts beating inside of me was always who I am,” said Gina Alice, virtuosic German-Korean classical pianist and singer-songwriter. She made her pop debut with Republic Records in July 2024, transitioning from an impressive career in Classical piano to a fresh start in pop music with the release of her single, “Slo-Mo.” HALSUG had the opportunity to interview Gina about her new releases and desire to pursue one’s dreams.
Interview: YS BLOCK Brings in a New & Fun Atmosphere with His Latest Album ‘YONGSAN’
A rising star of the K-Hip-Hop scene, YS Block has grown a name for himself with a sound heavily influenced by Southern American music; the enjoyable and energetic tunes create party-based music with the aim of appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds. YS Block, a musician from Yongsan, South Korea, is well-known in the hip-hop community, particularly in the alternative hip-hop spaces. The “YS” in his name pays homage to Yongsan, the district where he lives, and his involvement in local events, such as Yongsan Citizen's Day — organized by the Yongsan District Office — further solidifying his deep connection to his roots.
Interview: Lee Young Ji Gives Her All on the First Night of Her Debut US Tour
Preceding the release of her debut EP, 16 Fantasy, and the success of her first #1 charting song, “Small Girl,” the world has seen 22-year-old Lee Young Ji become a prominent figure in the K-Hip Hop scene. And when asked about how she keeps herself grounded while navigating the industry, she mentioned it hasn’t been easy. She describes her journey and mind, as she continues to find her place in the industry, to be very “messy” and “unstable,” and she isn’t one to stay humble. She understands and appreciates her successes and makes sure that there are even times to be chaotic and “all over the place” since that is what life is all about. Later, when asked about the inspiration behind her EP, she mentioned how the album is a representation of the brave and reckless 16-year-old Young Ji, and how she continues to inspire herself to be as courageous as her younger self despite learning and growing more as not only a person but an artist. She proceeded to mention how the song “Unknown Guy” is her favorite song off the EP.
Interview: AleXa Decodes Latest Single ‘distraction’ and Insights From U.S. Tour
Fresh off of her U.S. tour, K-Pop singer-songwriter AleXa dished out some real advice on situationships with her latest track “distraction,” released on June 28. Exploring more avenues within her discography, the fast-tempo pop-punk track stands as a reminder of one's self-worth when it comes to dealing with someone who may not at all be reciprocating the effort and your feelings. The fans had a first glimpse of it on her sick of you U.S. Tour, which spanned across six cities from March to April.
Interview: Freshly Debuted K-Pop Group Big Ocean Talks Music and Journey So Far
Full of charm, passion, and explosive energy, the rising K-Pop trio Big Ocean is steadily making waves as the first-ever hard-of-hearing group in K-Pop. Having debuted under PARASTAR Entertainment on April 20 2024, which officially marked the National Day of Persons with Disabilities in Korea, the members HYUNJIN, CHANYEON, and JISEOK are a true force of nature to be reckoned with. Their debut single “Glow” sets a precedent for the group's vision and mission—evoking a sense of “hope and togetherness” at times of hardship for all.
Interview: Nikitaa Opens Up About Their Journey as a Musician, Being Queer, and More
Music has long been a medium for spreading awareness, bringing joy, and sharing stories. It has served as a powerful tool for those whose voices need to be heard far and wide. Consequently, many queer artists have turned to music to make their presence felt, using their art to advocate for visibility, acceptance, and social progress. Nikitaa is one such musician. They are Indian-born and raised musician currently dwelling in Los Angeles. Their music is an attempt to reaffirm feminism and bring a positive change to the fore. Employing addictive tunes of R&B, trance, electronica and borrowing inspiration from their Indian roots, Nikitaa has created a genre of music called ‘Goddess Pop.’ This genre is a class act on its own.
Interview: K-R&B Artist SAAY Gets Candid About Her New Single “DOMINO,” Journey as a Musician, & More
SAAY is one of the most promising K-R&B artists on the block. She started her journey as a K-Pop idol and soon ventured on a solo path in 2017 to carve a place for herself in the music industry — forging a path of self-expression, discovery, and resilience.
Interview: Dive Deeper into K-Pop Star Hanbyeol’s Artistry With This Exclusive Interview
South Korean singer-songwriter Hanbyeol released a new pop single last month, titled “몽환 (Wish).” The song is a resplendent rendition, echoing the vibrance of summer and spring. The lyrics focus on delivering a message of loving oneself and starting afresh. This song is Hanbyeol’s second release of 2024, the first one being “Sweet Dreamz” which was released in January.
Interview: “Just Live Your Life!” Says Asian American Musician damnboy! as He Gets Candid on His New Album, Process & More
Speaking to a musician always leaves you with new bits of information each time. Like loads of song samples and demos stored on their devices, their brain holds a lot of ideas that are always great to chat over. A songwriter is no less than a philosopher who has ventured on a path to uncover mysteries of the world and the mind. While a song is an extension of an artist himself, once it is out in the world, it finds its place amongst other kindred spirits.
Interview: Roman Kayz Talks Debut EP, Inspiration, and His Writing Process
California based singer-songwriter Roman Kayz recently elevated his music with the release of “the trilogy” — three singles that tell an overarching story. The trilogy, made up of “like you said you would,” “how do i make you stay,” and “i can’t afford to love you” tell the story of a bad break up and the struggle of moving on.
Interview: Hemanth Jois Gets Candid About His Music, His Journey in the Kannada Film Industry and His New Single “Paralysed”
The South Indian film industry is known to produce banger tracks with almost every film. With the onset of viral reels on social media, the craze for these film scores has reached far and wide. After blockbuster hit films like KGF and Kantara, the Kannada film industry has slowly risen in the limelight. We had the chance to speak to one of the music composers from the Kannada music industry.