SHAUN is a Korean artist whose sound can rightfully be described as "eclectic" as it is so refined and pristine yet so boundless and almost unorthodox. While there are many great idols and artists from South Korea whose works are an art form in their own right, perhaps what really sets SHAUN apart from this crop of talent is how beautifully he presents his music.
Listening to SHAUN is an experience. It is a willingness to embark on a journey with him. Once his music starts, you invariably are transmitted into the world that SHAUN creates with his music. Happy, sad, or bittersweet, wherever he is taking you, you gladly tag along and experience every word, lyric, tone, melody, and sound he beautifully presents from his vocals.
You might be reading up to this point and wondering who is this artist that is garnering this kind of description for his works. Well like many fans, we have been enthralled by his impeccable sound, which flamed a soaring desire to find out more about him too.
With this article, we hope to introduce him to a new crop of music lovers, seeking to enjoy great and quality music and support an artist whose passion for his craft is what makes his heart beat.
SHAUN The Artist
SHAUN's official Instagram
SHAUN is a South Korean Indie Rock and Pop artist, singer, songwriter, Dj, and producer. Like many other artists, his journey to being a bonafide musician started when he was younger. At age 7, he started playing the piano and by age 10, he picked up an interest in guitar and started learning it too.
He made his official debut as a synthesizer and backup singer with the band The Koxx in 2010. While they received a steady rise in popularity as well as earning great critical acclaim for their music, like many indie groups at that time, they didn't record much chart-topping success as the music scene was dominated by K-Pop idols and groups. However, quality music still finds a way into the hearts of fans as they won the "Discovery of the Year Award" at the GAON Chart K-Pop Awards in 2012.
You can enjoy some of their music below.
After years of being in the band and releasing other good music, which still garnered both critical and commercial success in the Indie scene, in 2015 SHAUN made his solo debut with the song 'Falling Into'. A song that plays on the genres of Indie Rock and EDM.
This festival/dance hall track will no doubt have the hearts of listeners beating in sync with its rhythm, heads nodding to its beat, and hands excitedly waving in the air. While this is heavily on the instrumentals (like many other EDM songs) SHAUN's vocals are clear as day and still manages to carry the song. You might find yourself eagerly waiting for his vocals more than the instrumentals as the song progresses.
Perhaps due to the fact that he's garnered a lot of musical experience following his debut with the band The Koxx, despite this being his solo debut, his sound feels refined and clean. With more releases over the years, SHAUN no doubt slowly earned his place as an artist in the hearts of many fans.
However, it wasn't until 2018 that the world would recognize his name. The release of his first EP "Take" presented one of the chart-topping songs at the time. Albeit surrounded by false accusations of chart manipulation, 'Way Back Home' was a chart-topping success that positioned SHAUN as an indie artist with an impeccable sound, vibrant and powerful enough to deservedly garner him the due global attention and recognition.
Ranking at number 1 in major streaming platforms, the song perhaps properly introduced SHAUN to the world, an artist with a quality technique, relatable message, and a melodious sound that could tame the hearts of a ferocious lion. Even though we can aptly deduce that he couldn't enjoy the success of the song due to the false allegations, this song is one he should be very proud of as it touched the hearts of many global listeners. Check out the Sam Feldt remix of the song featuring Conor Maynard below.
The great success following the release of the song will no doubt have an effect, a sort of pressure on what he should do next and if that too would be a hit as well. While these thoughts were perhaps roaming through his mind, he stated that at this point, he just wanted to keep creating the music he loves to make and hopes people continue to enjoy.
SHAUN's official Instagram
With a hit record comes more eyes on him and invariably more opportunities as well. He continued to showcase his impressive musical abilities on not just his hit songs. In 2019, he made a comeback with his 2nd solo EP "Annyeong". An album that features songs that we can describe as "feel-good songs that make you want to hit the road and go on a long drive."
While each of the 3 tracks does present something so different (and this is something we will come to expect with SHAUN's music) one of the striking similarities you can find is the presence of SHAUN's essence as an artist. There is a sense of understanding you can derive from his songs, a note that almost says "he understands the power of music and what music could emote out of his listeners." The song 'Bad Habits' is especially one of our favorites. Right from the first second the music starts, you're immediately hooked. Its addictive rhythm and its relaxing sound make it so pleasing to listen to on repeat. And that beyond magnificent high note that transforms the beat towards the end, is simply brilliant.
You should also enjoy this live performance as well.
With more releases and collaborations over the years, SHAUN has been recognized by music lovers as an artist who makes guaranteed bops. Between 2019 to 2021, he released a host of songs in collaboration and features with another amazing South Korean artist OVAN.
By 2021, after completing his mandatory military service, we would see him return as a lead artist with the release of his digital single album "#0055b7". Which featured 2 songs 'Closed Ending' and 'Blue' featuring Wonstein. 'Closed Ending' is perhaps one that many would readily feel a sense of familiarity with as the melodies are quite similar to that of his previous hit record 'Way Back Home'. However, this similarity is on purpose as SHAUN used this song to sort of give an update, a note of appreciation to those who have stuck by him through difficult times.
Again, there is just something extra special about watching SHAUN perform his songs live. Perhaps it is because he doesn't appear in music in his music videos or even because it is such a pleasure and thrill to watch his expressions as those beautiful vocal colors seep through his mouth.
With 2022, SHAUN continues on his musical journey filled with impressive releases. The release of his album "Omnibus Pt 1: Kaleidoscope" was yet another testament to his brilliant artistry. Showcasing his unique and incredibly refreshing musicality, his song vividly stands out from the crop of great releases this year. Yet again, there is a level of sincerity that his vocals echo, it is genuine and hits all the right corners of our emotions.
The track 'Road' is especially our favorite. While it presents the sweet quintessential melodies that SHAUN is known for, it also plays on our emotions. Without reading the lyrics, you can feel a sense of despair in his vocals. A pang of pain and longing. A feeling that will strike a chord with his listeners as it is relatable and easily understood.
In these pictures, he describes each track and what they mean to him.
SHAUN's Twitter
SHAUN's Twitter
He recently released his 2nd album this year titled "OMNIBUS PT.2: INSIDE OUT". The 3 track EP is one you can no doubt enjoy on repeat as it still holds that "sweet and easy to listen" value that all of his songs possess.
We seriously cannot pick an absolute favorite as all 3 possess various elements that are thoroughly enjoyable. But then again, these kinds of feelings are what we can see with SHAUN's impressive discography, and at this point, all we can do is sit back, put our feet up, and just dive into the refreshing coolness his songs bring.
Asides from his own works, SHAUN has also shown his impressive musicality in other artists' works as well. In 2017, he released a foot-thumping remix to EXO's hit song 'Power', giving it a different yet quality beautiful color as the original. And in 2021, the remix to Ed Sheeran's hit song 'Bad Habits' was also released with a voice feature of Ed Sheeran as well. He has also worked with artists like EXO, SHINee, Malaysian artist Yuna, and more recently South Korean artist YounHa.
One of the elements that SHAUN's music presents that perhaps makes it even more special is the "Otherworldly feeling" derived from listening to it. The beautiful melodies of his songs elevate your mind to a plane that is beyond time and space. You are still, on a fluffy pink cloud, and enjoying the soulful bliss that his sound sweetly echos into your ear and straight to your mind.
SHAUN The Human
SHAUN's Twitter
While like many fans, the music is perhaps what first introduces us to an Artist, perhaps what locks us in fully is their charms and personality. SHAUN's music (in our opinion) feels like an extension of his personality. He is bright, energetic, and full of life but still reserved and curious. He likes to have fun with everything he does. Watching him in various interviews sort of reminds us of the saying "as long as I am having fun, work doesn't feel like work." While perhaps this might not be 100% accurate in his day-to-day experience, we can tell he genuinely enjoys his craft and the opportunity to use his art to touch others. He also proves our point true when he revealed on an interview that
My experience and everything that surrounds me is a great subject for inspiration.
He also has his own burdens and conflicting emotions about life and the reflection he has on others. He presents a certain level of despair which tries to peak its head from the cloud of hope and restoration his aura projects.
SHAUN the human is perhaps like every one of us. A nerd who loves watching anime and reading Mangas, collects figurines, enjoys good music, has a sweet tooth, is sometimes lazy (as he heaps piles of clothes in his room), and enjoys communicating with his fans. Even though he is goal-oriented, he finds deeper meanings in the simpler things and not a grand result. On his definition of success and what it means to him, he said
For me, success is not a grandiose thing. It is my success to create the bass sound I wanted to make or to complete a favorite song with a good melody I was or am working on.
Words that many can find some sense of semblance with and inspiration from.
Future collaborations
SHAUN's official Instagram
There are a few artists who create the same level of quality music that SHAUN does and we would love to see him collab with them in the future.
This would not be the first time that SHAUN would work with EXO but we would love to see a feature with Chen. Chen is undeniably one of the best (if not the best) vocalists in K-Pop right now and like SHAUN, his sound is versatile. Combining their vocals on an EDM song will be a wonderful surprise to many fans.
SHAUN has been a member of an Indie band for years now, which means he does have experience working with a band. N.Flying is one of the most unique and recognized bands in South Korea now, with members Yoo HweSeung and Lee SeungHyub at the helm of the vocal department, a collab with SHAUN is definitely going to be an exciting and dare we say, chart-topping project.
Gaho is one of the vocal gems in K-Pop today. An artist whose voice and sound are just as impressively unique as SHAUN's, a collab with both of them. In any genre would be exciting. Plus, we just want to try and scream along to their high notes.
Did you enjoy this article? Are you interested in SHAUN? Be sure to give him follow on Instagram and Twitter. Also, give his music a listen on Spotify as well.
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