Magic Strawberry Sound
Sunwoojunga, also known as swja, is an indie singer-songwriter who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Her list of collaborations include artists IU, G-Dragon, 2NE1, Lee Hi, Kim SeJeong, amongst many others.
She is a familiar name when it comes to awards and nominations as she was also recently nominated for Best Composer for the 2022 Golden Melody Awards. Sunwoojunga continues to prove to the music industry that she's gifted when it comes to producing songs that people love.
Magic Strawberry Sound
Having recently released her album titled "swja - Studio X {1. Phase}" is the newest of her projects and is already receiving positive reviews. It is described as being a very personal project, and one that she spent the pandemic working on. In very much sunwoojunga fashion, listeners will be able to feel the heart of her work and emotions she put into the songs.
Kpopmap had the honor of interview sunwoojunga ahead of her recent EP release. She was able to discuss her writing process for this particular album as well as her overall long career in the industry.
Hi sunwoojunga and welcome to Kpopmap! We’d like to thank you in advance for taking the time to answer some questions that we have about you and your new album “swja - Studio X {1. Phase}."
First thing we would like to ask is how was your preparation for this album?
While preparing for this album, there were a lot of fun instances during the process. I wanted to share this with my fans, which is why I agreed to do so many interviews for this album. This interview is one of them! We also prepared a video where we talk about interviews and share some behind-the-scenes stories. Also, in addition to the music video for the title track, we made visualizers for each of the songs, and I’m also in the process of preparing a live performance of the entire album.
Magic Strawberry Sound
It is known that you have worked with the industry’s biggest names, and have produced projects for artists like G-Dragon, 2NE1, IU, HyunA, Epik High, and Heize. Are there any artists out there who you hope to collaborate with in the future?
If the situation permits, I am open to collaborate with anyone! For now, it is a bit difficult because I am releasing a lot of music, but circumstances are always changing.
Which group or artist do you think your fans would be surprised to know that you listen to?
My blood still boils whenever I listen to Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled album… Long live rock…
Magic Strawberry Sound
Your first track is titled 'black coffee.' Do you mind explaining what ‘black coffee’ could be a metaphor for?
Rather than a metaphor, it is an item that signifies how people these days rely on black coffee to soothe their tiring day. At the same time, I also describe the characteristics of black coffee itself.
You’ve been active in the music industry for quite a long time now. What point in your career did you feel like you achieved your dreams?
As a musician, my goals and dreams continue to grow like new leaves on a tree, but from the tree, there is only one leaf that I have accomplished. It’s not a solo concert where the audience is filled with my fans, but it is an event where various people come, like a festival. It’s the delight I feel at an event like this where I introduce the title of the next song. A song that a lot of people know, a song that they want to hear. It still surprises me that so-called popular songs have been created.
Magic Strawberry Sound
Your track titled ‘OCTAVE’ sounds very personal as the first line is “I just stare at you, You are too damn dull.” What is the inspiration for this song?
Wow, I’m so glad to hear this question! I first made a sketch for this song in 2017. As much as I was young, I wanted to write a song that had a lot of swagger. A fantasy song that was sexy, but had a scary amount of charisma. I am definitely not a person who has this kind of vibe. I imagined something that I didn’t have. I was watching a certain person. I was willingly watching what this person was going to do but it was no fun at all. He must have been pretty fun before. Anyway, now, I grew this much, but that person is just dull, without improving at all. To say it simply, "I'm the best and you stink".... It's that kind of energy. Hahaha.
What can fans expect in this album that they haven’t heard before?
Collaborating with various great musicians. There have been many works that I have been featured on, but this is the first time I have invited other musicians to be featured on my work. I expect that it will be like listening to a new album.
Magic Strawberry Sound
What is your favorite part about producing an album?
When I made a sketch for a song! Also when making a storyboard for a specific concept. It’s really fun to decide on a direction and then do a rough simulation of what arrangement would go well. I like that moment when as the lyrics become complete, I can see the point of view of the world through the song. It’s even fun when I get writers block!
You’ve also been featured in quite a few K-drama OSTs including “Yumi’s Cells,” “Melancholia,” and most recently “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” Are you an avid K-drama watcher?
To be honest, I don’t really watch dramas. The reason is because I can’t take being curious. After a few painful experiences of staying up all night, I try to make an effort to avoid watching them. Before OTT platforms, I didn’t want to watch dramas because it was too painful having to wait a week for new episodes. When I am on break, I will sometimes watch the dramas I couldn’t watch before because I was busy, but thankfully, because I am so busy I am not able to do so. T_T However, I was able to watch a few episodes of “Yumi’s Cells” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” Luckily, I was in a situation where I was able to enjoy watching 3 or 4 episodes in a row.
Magic Strawberry Sound
Out of all the songs that you have ever released, which song would you say best embodies who you are?
Thinking of it right now, ‘nononono’ from the new EP. 'Unknown Artist' and ‘It Rains’ from the 2nd full-length album would have been considered, but I think it has been updated. The excitement, gloom, irritation, and joy that are all contained in that song is sunwoojunga unedited. There are no lyrics, but it’s a jam-style song that was recorded with the band, so I feel that I was very much myself. Musically, it contains jazz, rock, blues, and soul, all styles that I am comfortable working with. Trying to apply ever-changing effects that do not take away from the source of the acoustic instruments, and connect entirely new sounds and themes to the Outro. Everything about this song is just me, nothing more, nothing less.
Thank you again sunwoojunga for answering these questions for the Kpopmap readers as well as your fans. We wish you all the success and happiness with the release of your new album!
Thank-you so much for letting me introduce my new album. I really enjoyed myself while answering the questions. Bina interviewer and Kpopmap readers, I wish that you are always healthy and happy with your precious lives!
Make sure to check out sunwoojunga's newest EP, "swja - Studio X {1. Phase}." As a bonus, here is a special message the singer-songwriter left particularly for Kpopmap readers and her fans:
SWJA - 'black coffee (feat. Woo)' [MV] Sep 23, 2022
Sunwoojunga (SWJA) - 'Burst it all' [MV] Apr 1, 2022
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
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