Interview: From Big Hit Trainee to Independent Artist: The Musical Journey of JUNE
JUNE, the Korean R&B singer-songwriter, composer, and producer, has been working on songs with artists since 2016. Notably, as a former Big Hit Entertainment trainee, he worked closely with BTS, writing and composing songs like “Awake,” “Lost,” and “Not Today.” He worked with SURAN to create songs like “Wine,” and compose songs like “Love Story.”
In 2018, JUNE was part of the collaborative project group, PLT, which included solo artists from Planetarium Record. During his time with PLT, he wrote, composed, and arranged tracks like “Blah,” “Glue,” and more. Beyond BTS, SURAN, and PLT, JUNE has worked with a range of artists, some of them being VICTON, CHEEZE, Jung Jinwoo, Moti, Ziyoon, and Wavycake.
JUNE’s involvement in music goes beyond collaborations. He takes on many aspects of his music process from writing, composing, and arranging a lot of his songs. This is evident in his albums like Ending, LUV SIGN, Today’s, and singles like “DAY N NIGHT” and "Sérénade," to name a few. Now, JUNE has transitioned into an independent artist, continuing to show fans his talent with his groovy R&B tracks that you can listen to during the weather of the seasons.
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
Last August, JUNE made an appearance during Suga Agust D Tour, D-Day The Final, in Seoul, South Korea, as he participated on stage with the band during the concert. Following this, he embarked on his first mini-US tour, JUNEtober, in which he performed in five cities delighting fans with his live performance.
After seeing JUNE on tour in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre, HALSUG had the pleasure of interviewing him and asking about his first mini-US tour and his career thus far.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you are from?
Hello, my name is JUNE, a singer and composer from Seoul, Korea.
What were your emotions on the first night of the tour? How did it feel to be touring in the US?
The fact that a foreigner like me would come to a very large country like the United States and perform was an exciting feeling in itself, so I felt more excited than nervous.
What was something you got to do outside of performing at the concerts during the tour that you enjoyed doing?
I remember going to Santa Monica and Venice Beach in LA during the tour!
Your last tour was back in 2019 in the US with PLT, and this was your first solo mini-US Tour. Were there any challenges you faced doing a solo tour and on the other end, what were the best moments?
Nothing about the tour was a hardship. I’m always grateful to be able to perform, so my excitement continues to rise! Every stage moment is the best moment.
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
At the beginning of your career, you were a trainee under Big Hit Entertainment when you participated in writing and composing some songs for BTS and Suran, and then later on, you joined Planetarium Records and PLT, and now you’re going independent. Can you tell us about your music career journey from the start to now, what you learned about yourself as an artist throughout, and what you wanted to do?
During my time as a trainee, I developed a lot of interest in composing music. I also had a lot of luck, so I think I developed a lot of strength to work with many artists. I think I was able to absorb things more quickly because I was able to see and communicate with them in person.
In that sense, BTS SUGA helped me a lot. Thank you again for this interview. After that, because I loved and loved being on stage so much, I always felt like I was transforming as a person when I went up. As a result, I'm now singing all the way in the United States.
Did you know you wanted to be a singer or did the writing and producing interest you first?
My career as a lyricist, composer, and producer came first. I think it had a very good influence on me.
From writing songs for others like “Not Today” by BTS, to writing your own music like your most recent single “DAY N NIGHT,” what were the differences in writing for others compared to your own? Similarities?
I work on other singers' songs based solely on that singer's voice. I think a lot about the atmosphere that other singers' voices can create. When I create my own songs, I think my own feelings come first. That's the difference.
In an interview with Hypnotic Asia, you mentioned that your music is affected by the weather. Can you explain to us more about what you mean? Can you tell us a memory of when you were writing a song and how the weather affected its outcome?
I think the weather has a lot of influence on me because I think it is something that people experience when they start or end their day, or at every moment. Among my songs, there is a song called “A day of weather”, and this song is about a really clear and refreshing sky and sun. This is a song I wrote while watching the sunset. I think that song has all the answers.
You’ve said that you want to be an artist and have songs that impact listeners by leaving them with a certain feeling. Is there a song that is this way for you when you listen to it? Why?
I think the first ten seconds of music are the most important. It may be because I hear it that way when I listen to music, but I just want to make a lot of songs that can immediately penetrate the atmosphere and mood within those ten seconds. Also, it's basically rhythm. I consider it very important. In that respect, I was greatly influenced by a singer called Musiq Soulchild.
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
What’s next after the tour and what are your dreams?
I will hold another concert in Korea. Right now, I want to perform a lot because I have to go to the military. My dream is to regularly perform on stage where I can continue to sing my songs. Other than that, I don't know yet.
Is there anything that you would like your fans to know?
First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who enjoys and listens to my songs. Because of the support you give me, I feel like I have the strength to sing and make music anywhere. I am truly grateful and I will always come back with good songs to repay your support. Thank you!
Last November 6, JUNE collaborated with artists HAAN and SURAN by composing, writing the lyrics, and singing on the chorus for their new song “What’s wrong.” JUNE’s musical versatility and dedication continue to show. He will hold a final solo concert on Nov. 29, 2023, before entering the military service.
What songs of JUNE’s do you want to listen to and in what season does it fit best for? Let us know in the comments below or by reaching out to us on Instagram and Twitter.
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Edited by Alliya Garcia