Pagaehun: “I want to help people love each other”

Pagaehun describes the artists, emotions, and values that shape his music and outlook.

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “Pagaehun is __” or “Pagaehun’s music is ___”?

My music and I do not belong to any specific genre or group. The music I want to create changes based on my experiences and circumstances.

Currently, “Pagaehun's music is about love." I am fascinated by the beauty of human nature, particularly primal emotions like love and friendship. Among those, I love "love" the most. I believe that most social issues in the world can be resolved through love. Every religion around the world preaches love for one another. However, our society today lacks love, and various hatreds and conflicts are widespread. While I cannot directly mediate those conflicts, I want to help people love each other, because humans are inherently loving beings.

There are many types of love. Right now, I want to talk about romantic love, because 18 is the perfect age to experience it. Love encompasses a range of complex emotions, such as excitement, happiness, and sadness, [but] I want to focus on the bright and positive aspects. I listen to music when I'm happy, not when I'm sad. When I grow and become strong enough to embrace sorrow and pain, and when I can appreciate the beauty in sadness, my music will naturally evolve.

How have your music tastes changed over time?

My musical tastes have hardly changed. I [have] listened to popular music [since I was] young. The first artists I encountered were K-pop artists, though I don't remember their names because it was so long ago. I grew up watching idol singers and listening to Korean ballad singers. 

With the rise of YouTube, I began listening to Western pop and naturally came across hip-hop. As a high school student studying music professionally, I was introduced to Black music genres like jazz and blues, which greatly influenced my previously narrow musical perspective.

I don’t consider myself an artist. I define myself as a kind of activist who spreads love through the medium of music. 

Who do you look up to the most in the music industry, and why?

Choosing just one is too difficult, so I’ll pick three: Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran, and Justin Bieber. 

Shawn is my favorite artist [and] inspired me to pursue my career. The Korean music industry is extremely polarized, dominated by pop, followed by ballads, trot, and hip-hop, with other genres being [considered] non-mainstream. Aspiring stars in Korea have limited options. I didn't want to be a K-pop singer or attend university and struggle as an unknown artist. Then, I [watched] Shawn gain many followers on [the app] Vine and sign with a major company [after that]. Seeing that, I was convinced I needed to become a singer in a similar way. I started uploading shorts on TikTok and Instagram Reels, and the response was explosive. Shawn is still a great guide for my next steps. 

Ed Sheeran is an artist I respect for his determination to overcome obstacles, his daring street performances with just a guitar, and his family-oriented image. 

Justin Bieber is a star by his mere existence. I look up to him, imagining myself in [his] position. His music is always trendy and cool, and I admire him greatly.

How did you end up collaborating with KKANBYEONGZ on “Play With Me,” and what was your experience like working with them?

KKANBYEONGZ are seniors from the same art school as me. I knew their leader, Hwang Sehun. They were facing limitations as a dance crew, and I was a singer eager to take on dancing. We started collaborating to fill each other’s gaps, and it was an incredibly unique experience. Dancing was more difficult than I expected, and singing while dancing was even harder. I practiced really hard, and it was a great opportunity for growth.

What is next for you? Do you have specific career goals for the rest of 2024?

This isn't official yet… Ideally, I’d like to release an acoustic, very Korean-style album around August this year. Currently, my fans are mostly teenagers and young adults in their early twenties. I want to reach a wider age range with more accessible music. Also, I’d like to create a warm, family-themed song by December. By the end of 2024, I want to focus on performances and establish myself as a singer-songwriter.

Where can people follow you on social media to stay updated on your new music?

Instagram is the best platform for direct communication. However, I don't yet have a friendly platform [besides that to interact with] international fans. I debuted in Korea, my team is Korean, and I’m still a small artist, but I’m definitely not ignoring my international fans. "Play With Me" made me realize that many overseas fans love me, and I’m looking for ways to provide content and communication channels for them. I want to thank all my fans for their support. 

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?

The music I’ve released so far is only a small part of who I am. I aim to bring you emotions like excitement, happiness, inspiration, and love [through future songs]. Thank you for supporting me.

Check out “OXO,” “You know what I mean,” and “Play With Me” here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photo credit: Instagram.