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.
Photo Courtesy of Yusuii
A year into her musical journey, Yusuii shares with HALSUG the story behind her latest single, “flow with me,” as she continues to carve her unique space in Korea’s music scene.
Yusuii’s path to music was shaped by early influences, particularly the K-Pop group BIGBANG, whose impact ignited her dream of becoming a singer. “When I was in high school, I used to like the K-Pop group BIGBANG a lot,” she recalls. “Watching them, I thought, ‘I want to become a singer like them!’”
This admiration marked the beginning of her journey. Over time, Yusuii discovered her own identity as an artist.
“As time passed by, I found my own color,” she said, reflecting on her evolution and the personal imprint she’s leaving on the industry.
Before “flow with me,” Yusuii released three singles that revealed her emotional depth. Her first single, “try on me,” explored vulnerability and hesitant desire, setting the stage for a sound that would continue to evolve.
With "Literal," she delved deeper into themes of unconditional love and acceptance. The lyrics, “Without any pretense, my embrace / Matching the curve of your waist, love,” capture a raw intimacy. They explore the delicate balance between accepting someone as they are and embracing their imperfections.
“You, I will accept you as you are,” she sings, offering a heartfelt perspective on love grounded in vulnerability and authenticity.
Her latest single, “flow with me,” released on November 13, is a soothing anthem for those who feel burdened by spending time with someone or who have a hard time with the time that has passed.
“Don't worry too much because the time that has passed will flow back to you,” Yusuii explains. “Spending time together is as natural as the flow of water.”
The chorus, “Let’s flow together, leaving my time behind / Looking at the same place, / Share time, Share time,” acts as a mantra, encouraging listeners to embrace the natural rhythm of life and connection.
For Yusuii, the concept of ‘flowing together’ is deeply personal. She shares, “In Korea, it's often said that 'time flows.'” This reminds us that while we can’t turn back time, we can still savor its passage. For her, the song is about wanting to share these fleeting moments with someone special. “In this song, the context of ‘flow with me’ is to experience time and everything else as it passes by us.”
This sentiment encapsulates the heart of the song. The phrase “share time” holds a deeper significance—it’s a simple yet profound call to share moments together. “It's simply a matter of sharing time!” she explains.
While Yusuii acknowledges the importance of individual time, she believes shared moments become even more precious because of the time spent alone. “I don't ask for all of the other person's time. I'm saying it's okay if it's just part of the day, and it doesn't have to be today,” she says.
For her, balance is key: respecting the other person's time while offering openness and warmth. “I’m okay anytime.”
The lyrics echo this delicate balance: “More than others, I want to give you a little more of my time / Just enough not to overflow, but still enough for both of us.” This line captures her approach to love—thoughtful and unpressured, offering just enough to make shared moments meaningful.
If "flow with me" and "Literal" were part of a conversation about love, Yusuii imagines they would deeply understand each other. Both songs are about love while respecting the other person’s boundaries and individuality. “At their core, they talk about love, but the content inside is that they respect your appearance and your time, but they love you even though they don't, so it's a bit sacrificial,” she explains.
This tender yet powerful approach to love resonates throughout both tracks, offering listeners a heartfelt message of connection, understanding, and the beauty of shared time.
With music videos that embrace a vlog aesthetic, Yusuii likens them to journal entries. “I think the music video itself is an extension of the composition, but I wouldn't say the situation is yet ready to be expressed that way. However, I'm trying not to deviate from the feelings and situation about the song.”
Reflecting on her journey, she would tell her younger self: “Don’t compare yourself to others. Even if you don't, those kinds of perspectives and situations will always arise. That's why I want to tell you to spend more time finding your own color.”
When asked about a moment or fan feedback that stuck with her, she recalls the first message of support she received from a stranger: “I was so happy that they wanted to support me with just my music, without having met me in person. And I felt like I was getting closer to my dream. I felt like I needed to work harder, but I also thought it was okay to show myself for now. Those messages are so, so precious to me.”
Looking ahead, Yusuii dreams of performing on more stages. “I want to show new sides to my artistry! I will continue to tell my story, but the idea of performing offline sounds very interesting!”
As she closes, Yusuii shares a heartfelt message for HALSUG readers: “Thank you for reading the story of a small Korean artist. Let’s ‘flow’ together!”
With these words, Yusuii encourages readers to join her on a journey of music, love, and the beauty of shared moments.
Have you listened to “flow with me” yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments or hit us up on Instagram and X.
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Artist Facts:
Name/Stage name: Jo eunsaem (조은샘)/ Yusuii (유수이)
Birthday: 1999.05.24
Nationality: South Korean
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
MBTI: ENTP
Fave Foods: Samgyeopsal, spicy food
Fave Drinks: Any drink with chocolate in it!
Fave Movies: Hereditary
Day or Night?: night!
Song/cover you're most proud of: “flow with me”
Translation by Nandini Iyengar
Edited by Divina Aloisa Tolentino