An exclusive conversation with Suran on independence, risk, and the courage to change her sound. The artist who lent her voice to BTS’s SUGA and built a kingdom of her own, on her own terms.
What happens when an artist with an R&B soul falls in love with the beats of house music? And what if that same artist also holds a degree in computer science, is a classically trained pianist, and, at a pivotal moment, decides to launch her own record label?
You get Suran.
A singer, producer, DJ, and the architect of her own career. In a music industry like South Korea’s, which often asks you to pick a lane and stay in it, she decided to pave her own. We spoke with her to better understand her journey, her choices, and the music that’s yet to come.
The Song That Changed Everything
Suran has always had R&B and soul in her DNA. It’s her foundation, a core she’s never abandoned. I’m still rooted in R&B and soul when I sing, she tells us right away. But her career truly took off thanks to a collaboration that changed the game.
The moment that brought her to the mainstream was her 2017 project with SUGA of BTS, the song If I Get Drunk Today (Wine). Their artistic synergy, however, had already been revealed the year before, when Suran lent her unmistakable voice to So Far Away, a beloved track from SUGA’s firts solo mixtape, Agust D. That first meeting evidently laid the groundwork for what came next: this time, SUGA produced a track for her, and it became a massive, award-winning hit.
Looking back on that period, Suran describes it as an organic process.
The If I Get Drunk Today project felt very natural throughout the process. Unlike when I tell my own story alone, I think I let go of some of my stubbornness and focused on creating a great song together. As a result, I was able to share my voice on a bigger stage, which opened up opportunities for more diverse experiments and a broader perspective.
That “broader perspective” was the ultimate catalyst. That success gave her the freedom to make the bravest choice of all: to go independent.
S-TASY: Building a World, Not Just a Label
In 2021, Suran founded S-TASY, her independent label. The name is a portmanteau of “Suran” and “Fantasy,” and it encapsulates her entire philosophy. She didn’t just want a label; she wanted to create a world.
Of course, doing it all yourself is never easy. When we ask her about the biggest challenge, her answer is honest and unfiltered: Honestly, everything is a challenge. But what follows gives meaning to her choice: The greatest satisfaction comes from being able to fully express my music.
This is the heart of S-TASY. It’s a protected space where her artistic vision can grow without compromise. A place to create music that is, in her own words, “comfort and fantasy” for her listeners. I hope my music becomes a space where listeners can freely imagine, continuing to carry dreams and excitement.
On the Mixer and at the Mic: Suran’s Two Souls
Today, Suran lives a kind of double life in music. On one side, there’s the singer; on the other, the DJ. And they aren’t two separate worlds, but two sides of the same coin.
As a DJ, I create a flow of energy, while as a singer, I directly convey my voice and story. Both roles complete me
she explains. This duality allows her to explore different territories. As a singer, she shares more mature and reflective stories. As a DJ, she dives into the mix, rediscovering an almost primal energy. I feel the passion of starting a new game, rediscovering musical freedom.
This newfound freedom is leading her toward genres like Afro House and Tech House—worlds where, as a producer and DJ, she feels completely at home. It’s a natural evolution, the sound of an artist who continues to change and follow her instincts.
The Secret Formula: A Piano and a Computer
There’s a detail in her past that explains her unique artistry better than anything else. Suran is a classically trained pianist, but she also graduated with a degree in computer science. When we ask how two such different fields have shaped her music, her answer is simple: They’ve given me a balanced perspective.
Behind that statement lies a world of meaning. The piano gave her melody, harmony, and the ability to write songs that strike the right emotional chord. It’s the heart of her music. Her background in computer science, on the other hand, gave her structure, logic, and total control over production. It allows her to build her sound, piece by piece, with the precision of an architect. Heart and brain, working together. That is her balanced perspective.
A Look to the Future: Live Shows and a New Album
This open-minded approach has already taken her around the globe. She has performed on major stages like the Ultra Music Festival in Japan, but also in completely unexpected settings, such as a performance in Paris for IMCAS, a world congress for doctors and scientists.
So, what’s next? Her eyes are set firmly on the future. Fans who loved her EP FLYIN’ PART1 can rest assured: the sequel is on its way. Yes, I’m preparing PART 2, she confirms. The overarching title might change, but I can say I’m currently working with a more mature tone and fresh inspirations.
What that means, only the music will tell.
A Word of Advice for Dreamers
Finally, we ask her for a piece of advice for young artists who, like her, want to follow an independent path. Her answer is a simple and powerful metaphor.
Making music feels like courageously stepping onto a seesaw. As long as you don’t stop, the back-and-forth continues, so there’s no need to fear. But believing in yourself is always crucial.
Suran has learned how to master that seesaw’s rhythm. She chose the harder path, the one without a safety net, to build her own world. And listening to her, you can tell she would never look back.
