HEART TOP 100
0
+1
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Discover Kpop, Kdrama Stories that will excite you.
Experience the ultimate
K-Content fan experience by subscribing to Kpopmap PRIME!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Sunwoojunga is an indie singer-songwriter who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Kpopmap was able to sit down with the artist to discuss her new EP release!
binahearts, Staff WriterSunwoojunga, 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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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!
These OSTs will surely strike a chord with your heart.
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap EditorWelcome to the 32nd article of Kpopmap's weekly series: Kpopmap Mood Playlist! In this series, with articles released every Friday, we create a playlist of unique songs across various genres such as K-Pop, K-Rock/Indie/Hip-Hop/R&B, ballads, city pop, and more, exclusively curated for a very specific mood. Through this series, we want to introduce you to artists and genres as well as give you the perfect collection of songs to jam out to, regardless of how particular your mood is. You can even request a playlist in the comments down below!
You can find all our "Mood Playlists" by clicking here!
This week's "Mood Playlist" is dedicated to OSTs that have recently stolen our hearts. One of the most important aspects of a K-Drama that makes it all the more evocative and impactful is the OST. Just listening to the OST can bring back the emotions you felt while watching the drama and ingrain those memories in your heart. Similarly, a wonderful OST can even lead one to watching the related drama if they haven't already.
Here are 5 OSTs from recent K-Dramas that just hit different!
WOODZ's OST for "Yumi's Cells 2" carries the light-hearted euphoria of finding your person. As the background score of Kim YuMi (Kim GoEun) and Yoo BaBi's (GOT7's JinYoung) freshly blooming romance, 'About You' is as sweet and fitting as it gets. WOODZ's voice is wonderfully gleeful, clear, and euphonious which adds to the swoon-worthy effect of the song.
The poignant melancholy of 'With You' epitomizes patient, selfless love. JiMin and Ha SungWoon's breathy vocals hold the spotlight with grace, striking a chord in the deepest recesses of your heart. Most importantly, from the genre of the song to the lyrics, 'With You' is immensely well-suited to "Our Blues".
Car, the garden's OST for 'Alchemy of Souls', titled 'Scars leave beautiful trace' has the quality of an epic. It is resonant, vivid, and deeply moving, doing perfect justice to the larger-than-life narrative of the drama. The composition is grand and the vocals are even grander.
Much like the name suggests, 'Beyond My Dreams' by Sunwoojunga has a whimsical, fairytale-esque tune that perfectly captures the essence of Woo YoungWoo's world. It is beautifully romantic and soothing and will never fail to bring a smile to your face. After all, Sunwoojunga never misses when it comes to music that makes you feel good.
Minnie lends her magical voice to the OST of "Link: Eat, Love, Kill", creating the most dreamy love song we have ever heard. Her distinct vocal tone is a perfect match for the loveliness of fantasy, transporting us to a whole other world. 'Saying Hello' is profoundly comforting and reassuring, reminding us of the warmth of healing with love. No one but Minnie could make us feel this way.
Did you enjoy this week's Mood Playlist? Which other songs would you add to it? Tell us in the comments down below!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Do you have a K-Pop song that reminds you of your cat?
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap EditorWelcome to the 30th article of Kpopmap's weekly series: Kpopmap Mood Playlist! In this series, with articles released every Friday, we create a playlist of unique songs across various genres such as K-Pop, K-Rock/Indie/Hip-Hop/R&B, ballads, city pop, and more, exclusively curated for a very specific mood. Through this series, we want to introduce you to artists and genres as well as give you the perfect collection of songs to jam out to, regardless of how particular your mood is. You can even request a playlist in the comments down below!
You can find all our "Mood Playlists" by clicking here!
This week's "Mood Playlist" is dedicated to cat lovers all over the world. These adorable little babies work hard all day at the biscuit factory and can still brighten up your mood with just a little snuggle. If you're looking for some Korean songs that celebrate cats and all their quirks, we have the perfect playlist for you!
Here are some songs with cats as the main characters that we guarantee you'll fall in love with!
'C A T' by Sunwoojunga and IU embodies the very essence of feline mischief. The music video tells the story of an alley cat and a house cat and their extraordinary adventures outside of the mundane whereas the lyrics sing of an unlikely yet addictive companionship. We just can't get enough!
'Cat's Waltz' by ONF is the perfect representation of the cautious yet curious nature of cats. If you've been looking for a manual to make a kitty love you, this song is exactly what you need!
This iconic rock opera by ATEEZ has more origins than one. ATEEZ reinvents Turbo's song 'Black Cat' which, in turn, was remade from the Italian children's song 'Volevo un gatto nero'. Any cat lover would enjoy the original story behind the song and ATEEZ's reinterpretation just makes it even better.
Nell's 'cat' holds layers of meaning that transpose into our daily lives and relationships. He plays the 'cat' and sings from its perspective, highlighting the way humans project their emotions onto their pets. However, it also posits the pains of a limiting relationship where one's desire for self-expression is subdued. Either way, 'cat' strikes a familiar chord and leaves a lasting impression.
Perhaps the sweetest ode to the gentle warmth of cats, Casker's 'The Cat and Me' is as enchanting as it gets. The whimsical vocals accompanied by the meaningful lyrics make the listening experience incredibly memorable, especially if you have a kitten of your own. 'The Cat and Me' is a reminder of the silent love these little ones give us, even if we may not always pick up on the same. Needless to say, this song is one of a kind.
Nothing captures the playfulness of a cat better than APINK's 'Cat'. Portraying the excitement of a chase, APINK teases us with the most thrilling proposition, and before we know it, we've fallen head over heels. If that's not an accurate portrait of cat lovers with cats, we don't know what is!
If you're a fan of SHINee and cats, you're in luck! Did you know that there's a neko version of the group that performed their hit song 'Because of You' on stage? Introducing SHINyan! If this is your first time watching this music video, can you try to guess which cat represents which SHINee member? Leave your answers in the comments section!
CODE KUNST and meenoi recently collaborated with 11Kitties to make this exceptional bop, for a good cause! For those who didn't know, the music video for 'Take Me' is a part of a surprise donation pledge conducted by 11STREET whereby 11 KRW per view will be donated to the Korea Animal Welfare Association in aid of abandoned cats. If the music video reaches 5 million views in 2 weeks, the donation amount will be doubled.
You can follow 11Kitties on Instagram for cute cats and updates, and we urge you to show some love to the music video too!
What other cat-related songs would you add to this playlist? Tell us in the comments down below!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Press unlimited hearts and cheer for the artist!
Comments