If there’s one thrill I never tire of, it’s the one I feel when the radar intercepts a young and irresistible talent. It is that moment when a unique spark ignites—a fresh sound, an extra-ordinary vibration.
A sublte frenzy starts immediately afterward, as I search for every available trace—listening more, reading every scrap of existing information—and the curiosity mounts until it becomes an overwhelming need for more.
This is exactly what happened to me with SUNHO.
With her delicate ballads and Chill and Jazz atmospheres, SUNHO immediately captured my attention. Her voice is an intimate invitation, an unfiltered expression that deserves to be heard beyond the borders of Seoul. We at Koreami are here to give her all the space she deserves, certain that her debut is only the beginning of a brilliant journey, and we hope this encounter can give her the right push to release new music very soon and fully share her art with the European audience.
We spoke with SUNHO about her intimate world, her singles, and her vision for the future.
1. Hello, SUNHO, and welcome to the pages of Koreami! We are thrilled to host such a fresh and intimate voice. Since you are a new discovery for many, could you start by painting your own portrait? Who is SUNHO, the artist, and what do you want our readers to feel first and foremost through your music?
Hi, I’m Sunho, a singer-songwriter based in Seoul. So far, my work has mostly explored pop music rooted in jazz influences. I want to be the kind of artist people can listen to anytime, anywhere — someone whose songs feel easy to return to, without pressure or pretense.
2. You debuted with an intimate sound (Acoustic/Chill/Jazz). We wanted to ask: in an industry that sometimes pushes for excess, did the necessity for a pure expression that placed your true voice at the center prevail over any market logic? Was it an almost inevitable choice for you?
That sound has always been part of my natural taste. I studied vocals in college, so I naturally gravitated toward genres where the voice is at the center. Because I often work alone and still have much to learn in production, my vocal tone became the part of myself I wanted to highlight most. Looking back, it wasn’t so much a deliberate choice as something that simply made sense for me.
3. Your sound is global yet rooted. We are curious to know if, while in your studio in Seoul, you ever play European artists—perhaps Italian or Scandinavian singer-songwriters known for melancholic indie—who might have unconsciously shaped the way you write or dream about your music?
I grew up listening to a lot of pop music, so my musical direction naturally leaned that way. Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to listen more widely — to absorb different styles and perspectives.
4. Your track “In July” immediately evokes a sense of summer nostalgia. What is the most vivid image, or perhaps the scent, you were trying to capture in that song? Is it a living memory, or is it the creation of an internal place you wanted to share?
A few years ago, I traveled to Bali, and the ocean I saw there was the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. That scenery stayed with me. I wanted to capture that warm, serene feeling in a song — not the burning intensity of passion, but the gentle, glowing emotions of love and excitement. The track is my way of painting that soft sunlight and peaceful atmosphere I felt back then.
5. The English title “you never was in my dream” features a deliberately unconventional grammatical construction. To us, it sounds like a poetic, almost raw choice that gives immediacy to the emotion. We wanted to ask if this “anomaly” was intended to bypass grammar and go straight to the core sentiment you wished to express.
Honestly, there wasn’t a deep meaning behind it! I just liked how “was” sounded better than “were” — it felt smoother, almost more musical. I considered it a poetic choice. Later, after the song was released, a professor who had lived abroad pointed out that it was actually just a grammatical mistake… I laughed about it but, I admit, I regretted it a little afterward.
6. The lyrics of “Ferris Wheel” speak of falling in love and use the metaphor of the Ferris wheel spinning, repeating “Round again, round again.” Does this cycle of ups and downs describe a stable and happy love, or that sense of emotional vertigo one experiences when they are truly falling in love?
It leans more toward stable, comforting love. The song isn’t about falling head-over-heels in an instant, but about a quiet, enduring affection. Like a ferris wheel that keeps turning, it’s a promise — that I’ll continue to love you, naturally and endlessly.
7. The videos of your live studio sessions (such as those for ALL THINGS Studio) are fundamental to a singer-songwriter’s credibility. In an industry that aims for digital perfection, what does it mean for you to perform “live,” and why do you feel this clarity of expression is essential for connecting with your audience?
I realized I tend to focus too much on the technical side of music when working alone — trying to perfect every little detail instead of channeling raw emotion. But when I perform live, my mindset changes completely. I think less about precision and more about communication — conveying the song’s feeling to the audience. That makes me reconnect with the emotional core of the music. Those moments remind me why I love doing this — they keep me grounded as an artist.
8. Your ballads touch upon universal themes like solitude or longing. Despite the language barrier, what do you believe is the most powerful emotion or resonance you hope an Italian listener, who may not understand the lyrics, can immediately perceive in your voice?
People often tell me that no matter what song I sing, there’s always a touch of melancholy in my tone. I like that. Even if someone doesn’t understand the lyrics, I hope they can feel that quiet sadness and sincerity.
9. Finally, looking ahead to the future and the European market: what dreams do you cultivate for your music? Is there a specific festival, or perhaps a type of stage, where you dream of bringing the Chill and unfiltered atmosphere of SUNHO?
I don’t have many released songs yet, so right now my focus is on writing and producing more music. I’m planning to release an EP soon and want to experiment with new sounds — maybe folk or electronic. I want to keep evolving and showing more sides of myself through my music.
