Before we say anything about this artist and proceed with his interview, you need to listen to this track.
The artist behind this sonic experience is I’MIN, a Korean-American singer-songwriter based in New York City. His bicultural identity isn’t just a detail; it’s his creative strength, shaping his sound in a way that’s uniquely his own.
While labeled as Korean R&B/Pop, his sound is a rich tapestry, interwoven with diverse musical traditions from Korea and the United States. His music immediately captivates with its sophistication, reminiscent of neo-soul legends like Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, and D’Angelo. This stylistic kinship suggests a depth and authenticity that transcend fleeting pop trends.
His mastery in blending these diverse influences is what makes him such a special artist, capable of creating an atmosphere you can almost feel on your skin.
The story I’MIN tells is also enriched by his approach to songwriting, naturally switching between Korean and English. This bilingual choice is a refined artistic technique that allows him to express emotional and cultural nuances that would be lost in a single language. The result is that every linguistic barrier becomes immaterial, because the emotional core of his music goes beyond words, communicating on a deeper, visceral level.
That Kind of Love was just the beginning, a single thread in a much larger and more engaging musical tapestry. I’MIN’s discography is varied; tracks like A Mirage (2022), Infatuation (2023), and Strawberry Acai (2025) show versatility and consistent artistic quality. Speaking of new releases, I’MIN continues to put out music. His latest, Talk is Cheap featuring Burmese DJ and producer Sangarang, dropped on June 11th. If you want to know more about this track, I recommend you keep reading till the very end.
His music isn’t just found on classic playlists; it’s also present in those that define today’s digital culture, like Viral Reels on Instagram and Lifestyle Vlogs on TikTok. This presence indicates a certain synchronicity with current digital content trends, demonstrating how his music can adapt and enrich various visual narratives. This gives him a broader cultural impact, reaching an audience beyond his most dedicated fans and seamlessly integrating into today’s musical landscape. His music offers much more than simple catchy melodies; it’s an immersive world of sounds and sensations, an authentic artistic experience, crafted with true human mastery.
Despite his growing influence and distinctive sound, I’MIN is an artist who maintains a rather low profile. It’s not easy to find interviews or detailed information about him, making each of his appearances a rare and precious event. For this reason, when his affirmative response to this interview arrived at our editorial office, we were genuinely surprised and incredibly enthusiastic. It’s a unique opportunity to delve into his world and discover more about the mind behind the music.
So, what do you say? Let’s hear what he has to say! Here’s our interview with I’MIN!
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you? Can you tell us something about your stage name and how you chose/created it?
Hey, I’m I’MIN—a Korean-American singer-songwriter based in New York. I started this journey with some close friends and now I’m signed with Epidemic Sound. My stage name actually came up randomly at a tiki bar in Korea, when a friend blurted it out. I liked the double meaning immediately: “I’MIN” as in “I’m in love,” “I’m in it to win it,” and also a quiet nod to my legal name, Minsoo. Think of it like “I’m Minsoo”—with the “soo” artistically silent. There are a few more hidden layers to the name… but I’ll let those unfold in time.
The first song of yours I ever heard was Manhattan Haze (2021), which is still one of my favorites from your discography. Your EP Crush on You (when you pour down on me is crazy beautiful!) has been released on April 25th. Can you tell us a little about this musical journey?
Crush On You was a very special project. I started making music with my good friend Daryl Kim (@dozeoffofficial), and after working with various producers, I realized our creative chemistry is next level. Seho Kim (@otherguysssss), another close friend, had been part of a few sessions, and I knew he needed to be involved in something bigger. I introduced both of them to Epidemic Sound, and now we’re all under the same roof, just cooking up track after track. Crush On You is our first collaborative EP, and it’s the start of something we hope becomes much bigger. We’re already working on new projects, and I can’t wait for people to hear what’s next.
What is the most rewarding aspect of the creative process for you? Is it the initial spark of the idea, the production work, the songwriting phase, or the moment when the music meets the audience?
For me, it’s the spark. That rush when a crazy idea hits or when a melody suddenly fits just right—that moment is addictive. Whether I’m laying down lyrics or tweaking production elements, that dopamine hit is unmatched. And of course, nothing beats sharing that with others who get it. You know, the stank face when the beat drops? That’s the dream.
On Instagram, we can appreciate a very polished style. How do you balance aesthetics and storytelling in your music? Is there a specific image or emotion that you always try to evoke, both visually and sonically?
Right now, there’s no fixed blueprint—I’m still discovering my sound and experimenting with visuals. The team and I are constantly trying new things: exploring, debating, compromising, and evolving. That’s the beauty (and headache) of the creative process. I’m curious to see how people perceive me and how my style continues to develop as we grow.
Is there a track in your discography that you feel most connected to or that represents you the most?
That Kind of Love for sure. I’m drawn to the duality of emotions—things that feel one way but mean another. That song was the start of me diving into those gray areas, those emotional contradictions. It was also one of my most well-received tracks, getting love on YouTube and beyond. It gave me confidence to keep exploring those themes.
After producing Crush On You, is there anything you can say you’ve learned about yourself as an artist or about the creative process that you will carry with you into your future projects? And how do you hope this EP will be perceived by your listeners?
I’ve learned the art of patience. Creative work often comes with frustration—especially when you feel miles away from making something even halfway decent. You ride the highs of “this is it!” only to wake up the next morning ready to delete the whole thing. But I’ve realized that’s part of the process. Learning to trust it, push through the doubt, and keep showing up—that’s what I’m taking with me into the next chapter. I hope people feel the honesty and heart in Crush On You, and maybe even see a bit of themselves in it.
Tell us all you want about this new project with Sangarang: idea genesis, development & birth.
Talk is Cheap really started as just me and my friend Sangarang messing around, like we always do. We often have these spontaneous sessions where we make songs for fun that never really see the light of day. But this one felt different—it stuck with me. Even though it’s a big shift in genre and mood compared to what I’ve released before, I felt confident enough to share it with the world. Between our busy schedules, Sangarang and I kept coming back to the track, tweaking things here and there over the course of a year. It’s been through a lot of back and forth, but it finally came together. I’m a bit nervous because this is my first time diving into house music, but also really exhilarated. I hope people can feel the energy and intention behind every bit of it. I’m proud of what we made and excited to share this new side of my sound with everyone.
