By: Paige Zinaman
Q) You’ve had major success on “The Voice of Korea” and “The Masked Singer.” How has your experience on those stages shaped the artist you are today, especially when creating something so intimate on your own?
A) The more I performed and faced audiences, the more the nervousness and awkwardness faded away. That experience really helped me gain confidence not only in my voice but in my storytelling as an artist. It made me want to share my own stories more honestly and sincerely through music.
Q) “Wishing for Rain” feels incredibly personal. What can you share about the emotional space you were in when you wrote and produced the song?
A) There was a year when everything felt like it fell apart — friendships, relationships, everything.
I kept blaming myself for things that weren’t even my fault and that made it even harder. I felt stupid for trusting and opening up to people so easily. After quietly enduring that year, I finally found the strength to finish this song.
Q) Your mother’s comment inspired the lyrical core of the track — “I wish it would just rain harder and wash everything away.” How did that moment transform into a full song, both lyrically and emotionally?
A) I remember wishing that all the pain and difficult memories could just be washed away like rain. As I mentioned, that year was really tough for me and “feeling okay again” wasn’t something that happened overnight.
People kept telling me that time heals everything, but at that moment I couldn’t accept it because I really wasn’t okay. I wondered if time would ever really make things better.
Even though I wrote this song after I’d healed, I drew from those emotions from both the pain and the version of myself that had finally made peace with it.
Q) You’ve been known for your powerhouse performances, but this song showcases a quieter kind of strength. Was it challenging to express vulnerability in such a stripped-down way?
A) For me, every song has to come from a place of honesty and truth. It’s not really about showing vulnerability, I think it’s about being real. And I think expressing that sincerity through quiet, controlled strength can sometimes move people even more. Music has that kind of power.
Q) You wrote, composed and produced this song yourself. Why was that so important for you to have such a heavy hand in crafting it?
A) I’ve always written and composed my songs, but this was the first time I took charge of producing and even worked and directed the music video myself.
Since this was my first project as an independent artist, it felt especially meaningful. Managing everything on my own wasn’t easy, but I think it actually suits me quite well. [laughs]
Q) There’s a cinematic quality to “Wishing for Rain,” both in sound and visuals. How did you approach the music video concept to match the song’s emotional depth?
A) Thank you! I actually focused a lot on the sound for this one.
We recorded with all acoustic instruments, so I really wanted to capture that raw, restrained, but powerful sound that only acoustic music can bring. For the music video, the director and I went through countless discussions. We wanted to highlight the acoustic elements visually — that’s why you can actually see the instruments in the video. The earlier scenes represent my struggles and the heavier emotions I went through during that difficult time.
Q) As an artist who bridges powerful vocals and emotional storytelling, how do you decide when to let your voice soar — and when to let silence or restraint speak instead?
A) On competition shows I’ve done before, using powerful vocals was often what audiences loved the most. But when it comes to my own music, I think it’s just as important to know when to hold back to let silence or restraint carry the emotion. That balance keeps the music timeless and allows people to keep listening without getting tired of it.
Q) Heartbreak and healing are universal themes. What do you hope listeners — especially those going through something difficult — take away from this song either as an emotion or message?
A) Heartbreak and healing are something everyone experiences. The more I sing this song, the more I feel healed. I hope people who are going through tough times can listen to it, release their emotions and maybe find a bit of comfort in it, too.
Q) You’ve consistently pushed yourself as an artist. What new creative directions or personal truths did you uncover while making “Wishing for Rain?”
A) Working on this track made me realize I want to keep creating songs that feature live, acoustic instruments. In a world overflowing with digital music, I think real instruments bring warmth and a kind of peace we all need. I believe in that power and I want to keep finding my own color as an artist through that kind of sound.
Q) Looking ahead, is this a prelude to a full album or EP that you are working on?
A) Yes, I’d love to work on not just an EP, but eventually a full-length album too.
Q) Who are some artists that you would love to collaborate with on music in the future?
A) I’d love to collaborate with singer-songwriters like Lady Gaga, RAYE or Adele someday. That would honestly be a dream come true. [laughs]
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?
A) Thank you so much for all the love and support for “Wishing for Rain.”
I’ll keep writing and producing music that feels honest and heartfelt and I hope to share a full album with you all soon.