Photographer Bora Kim – Fashion Editor Kuk-seon Hyun – Talent Jooyoung – Grooming by Ahreum Seo – Photographer Assistant Park Jeongheon and Sujin – Fashion Assistant Mash Marigoid – Grooming Assistant Soyeon – Interview by Potito Forte // Total Look Dries Van Noten // Jacket Bottega Veneta // Total Look Dolce&Gabbana
Jooyoung, you just published your first full-length album, ‘Sphere’, after a series of singles. Couldyou define in one word the most important quality of your album?
Life and death, the absurdities and oppression of life and our society. Oh, and love.
You’re a well-renowned name in the Korean R&B scene. Where do you find your inspiration? Isthere a particular singer or musician you admire?
Stevie Wonder, Prince, The Beatles…Inspiration is something that comes naturally to me as I gothrough my life. A lot of things naturally accumulate within me, and at some point, they cometogether and turn into more concrete things.
Total Look Dries Van Noten // Shirt Loewe
When did you decide to start making music?
After being dumped by a girl in elementary school for singing poorly.
Is voice more important than sound in your work?
No, it’s not about one being more important than the other, it’s about balance and harmony.
Top Dolce&Gabbana // Total Look Bottega Veneta
Who’s the person you look up to the most in your family?
I admire all my family members. To be more specific, I’d like to learn my mother and father’s life skills.
If you could choose one of these two, which would you prefer: eternal fame or going back to your childhood?
It feels like a stupid question to me…for me, it’s very obvious: I’ll always take the youth.
Total Look Loewe
What’s the meeting that’s left a mark on you?
For me love has always been about important encounters, and having a relationship has alwaysbeen challenging. But they were all worthwhile, and the traces of them are in my heart.
Are you scared of death? Do you want to be remembered for your artistry?
I don’t think death is something to be feared, I think it’s a natural thing, and of course, the two can co-exist, but I’m more focused on accepting it as a natural process and thinking about what I need to do. I don’t think I’ll be remembered for my artistry. All I wanted to do through my art was to deliver a message to people, and if that message could resonate and be kept in someone’s life, then I think that’s the most valuable thing. I’d say it’s more of an acceptance or embracement than being remembered.
Do you perceive any confrontations or differences between your scene and the K-Pop scene?
I think it’s a completely different scene. But rather than go into the details of the difference, I’d rather just think in a different direction. I don’t think being Korean is all about K. I’m a person who pursues universal values. Something beyond K. If you see that as a conflict or difference, then that is.